alternatives to flowers

Not sure I like the idea of a lit candle, especially if it is daylight and not sure your venue would allow it. Horseshoes with a few flowers on might work

I thought about a candle myself but so many venues don't allow any naked flames, plus I'd be worried about scorching my dress (I'm clumsy, so not a great idea!) lol

I saw on tv (can't for life of me remember what show it was) but the bridesmaids carried origami creations instead of flowers, they were very eye catching and different

How about bowquets? I've bought 2 from Ditsy Brides;

The origami flowers that John99 refers to are called kusudama flowers, I have some photos on my Pinterest but decided against them as they take up alot of paper. I have alot of origami paper if you should want some......

We are having brooch bouquets .. My friend had her bridesmaids carry a single rose ( sorry still flowers ) or you could possibly get them to carry a wicker heart or something ... X

Do they have to carry anything? I would personally think it is more dependent on what you have, just my opinion, but if you had a floral bouquet it might look odd if they then had something different. You could also go for wrist corsages if you want something different (although still flowers).

I'm having a full brooch bouquet then my bridesmaids will be having a small posy with a single brooch inside and my flower girl is prob going to have a traditional basket with flowers!

xxx

I'm contemplating my BM's not carrying anything at all, but will have to see if they think they'll be comfy with that! The reason being I am having a button bouquet, and don't want any flowers at all in the wedding really. I don't really want my girls to have button bouquets as well because to me that reduces the unique-ness/special-ness of mine! I've seen a few things like wands, pin wheels, paper 'flowers', fabric bouquets incorporating buttons...etc. so I might go down that route for the BMs instead. I also considered them just having a button-adorned clutch bag, if I can find / make some.

Try Googling 'alternative bridesmaid bouquets' and similar, you should find this opens a marvellous can of worms!!

Mines is having flowers but my SIL's BM's had wrist corsages but said they wanted something to carry as they felt a bit bare s ended up with little silver clutch bags..thought it wouldn't go but it looked really nice.
Your options i'd prefer the horseshoes not so much the lantern idea