Bouquets - who keeps them?

An I being unreasonable by asking them to give them back so the other bride can use them? I feel like if my parent had a terminal illness I'd appreciate the help, but I don't want to offend my girls either.

I don't think it's unfair to ask for them back to let someone else use them, but at the same time I've been in two weddings and both times I've been offered to keep my bouquet. I don't think I would be offended though, especially in this situation. Does your bridesmaid know the reason you want them back after the wedding? I guess I probably would let her have it after the second wedding if she's upset. You can always try to rent out whatever is left over, as all bridal parties are different sizes anyway so your set minus one bouquet might still be perfect for some weddings!

I think that you are paying for them and you are taking them back for a damn good reason. If you get them back after the second wedding and she wants it then you can give it to her then if you want. I would not feel bad one bit and if your friend doesn't understand than oh well.

If it were one of my bridesmaid I would explain the situation of why you need them back after your own wedding and if she still felt strongly that she needed it after the second wedding then I would let her have it. I have always kept my bouquet after, but they were real.

@ashleyw yes, she knows. Her suggestion was to "just tell her (other bride) you only have 6." Um....ok? LOL. I'll probably just give it to her after the other wedding.

I always considered the BM's bouquets a gift to them.

Agree that the bridesmaid bouquets are for the bridesmaids to keep. That's one of the perks of being in a wedding--you get to take home some pretty flowers. I think you should have approached this as "can I borrow back your bouquet" as opposed to "I need it back, give it to me."

Does the rush-job bride actually have seven (eek!) bridesmaids? Does she really need this particular bouquet?

@stpaulgal no, but I feel like it's kind of unfair to ask the other girls to get theirs back except the one girl who doesn't want to? I typically would say it is part of their gift as well, but I am already getting them quite a bit of other things, including paying for hair and air brush make up ($150 each) as well as robes, earrings, and a monogrammed champagne glass. But if the other girls are going to say the same thing, I don't even want to approach them about it.

I've always kept them in weddings I've been in, but I absolutely think the bride has the right to ask for them back if she paid for them....especially given that you're planning to rent them out. I mean, what's your BM going to do with it anyway?

Eeek this is a tricky one. The bouquets are considered gifts but I would hope that given the situation your BM would understand. Does the bride you are giving them to have the same number girls as you?? Maybe she has one less, that would be good, lol!

I've always kept my bouquet, but I also can't imagine being miffed if the bride wanted it back. That's weird, and if you explain the situation, she'll probably understand and joyfully give it to you to use for the other lady.

Ask your acquaintance how many she needs, maybe she doesn't need them all. Otherwise I would tell my BM I would get it back to her after the acquaintance got married.

My bridesmaids can keep theirs but I'm thinking of making mines into a centerpiece for our home. I'm using silk flowers maybe it will bring us some good luck