Ribbon Pulling, Ribbon Dance, Bouquet Ribbon Ceremony… What Is It Actually Called, and What Does It Involve?

23/08/2026

Planning a wedding and seen a video on Instagram or TikTok of a blindfolded bride cutting ribbons surrounded by her bridesmaids? Now you're trying to figure out what that tradition is actually called so you can learn more about it? You're not alone — this wedding custom goes by several different names in English, and most people don't realize they're all describing the exact same ritual.

In this article, we'll walk through every name this tradition goes by, explain exactly what the bouquet ribbon ceremony involves, break down how it works step by step, and cover why more brides are choosing it over the classic bouquet toss.

What is this tradition called?

This ritual doesn't have one single settled name — which is exactly why brides searching for it end up finding it under several different terms. If you've come across any of these, they all refer to the same tradition:

Ribbon pulling or ribbon pull ceremony — the most common name in English
Ribbon cutting ceremony — emphasizes the moment the bride cuts each ribbon
Ribbon dance or wedding ribbon dance — highlights the circle of bridesmaids around the bride
Bouquet ribbon toss alternative — how it's often described when compared to the traditional toss
Wedding ribbon round — another common variant name

Different countries have their own names for the same custom — in France it's le jeu du ruban (the ribbon game), in Italy il ballo dei nastri (the ribbon dance), and in Czech it's known as vyplétání svatební kytice or stužkový tanec. The tradition traces back to Latin America, where it's known as cintas de la torta — originally the ribbons were baked into the wedding cake, and only later moved to the bouquet itself.

Whichever term brought you here, the result is the same: a modern, elegant, and far more emotional alternative to the traditional bouquet toss.

What is the wedding bouquet ribbon pull?

The ribbon pull ceremony is a wedding tradition in which the bride attaches one ribbon to her bouquet for every bridesmaid, close friend, or sister taking part. Instead of throwing the bouquet into a crowd after the ceremony, she keeps it in her hands the entire time — and it's the bride herself who decides who the bouquet symbolically goes to.

It's a thoughtful answer to the biggest downsides of the classic bouquet toss: the risk of the arrangement getting damaged, the scramble to catch it, and the fact that really only the fastest guest closest to the bride has a fair shot.

How the ribbon pull ceremony works, step by step

Preparation — ribbons are attached to the bouquet, usually with a flexible snap-on band that wraps gently around the stems with no tying or knots required. The number of ribbons matches the number of participants.
The circle — each bridesmaid, close friend, or sister takes hold of one ribbon end, and together they form a circle around the bride.
The bride cuts blindfolded — the bride holds her bouquet, often blindfolded or with her back turned to the group, and cuts the ribbons one by one — with no idea whose ribbon she's cutting each time.
The reveal — whoever is left holding an uncut ribbon symbolically "wins" the bouquet. Tradition says she'll be the next to marry.
A keepsake in every ribbon — each participant keeps her piece of ribbon as a memento of the moment. Our sets also include a bead on every ribbon, which can be strung into a bracelet afterward.

The whole ceremony takes just a few minutes, but it's consistently one of the most emotional and photogenic moments of the wedding day — full of laughter, suspense, and happy tears.

And the groom? There's a version for him too

The ribbon pull isn't just for brides. Grooms and groomsmen have their own version using a wooden ribbon ring — the ring is placed around the neck of a bottle (typically something to drink), the groomsmen each hold a ribbon end around it, and the groom cuts them one by one. Whoever is left holding an uncut ribbon wins the bottle. Bride and groom can also cut together, turning it into a shared moment for the two of them.

Why more brides are choosing the ribbon pull over the bouquet toss

The bouquet stays intact — it never leaves the bride's hands, so there's no risk of it hitting the floor or falling apart
Fairer and calmer — no pushing or scrambling in a crowd; every participant gets her own ribbon and her own moment
Beautiful photos — a circle of friends around the bride, ribbons in hand, makes for some of the most striking photos and video of the entire day
A lasting keepsake — unlike a caught bouquet that wilts within days, every participant keeps her ribbon (and bead) as a permanent memento
Matches any wedding style — ribbon colour and material (satin, lace, matte satin) can be tailored to a boho, rustic, or elegant black-tie wedding alike

How many ribbons, and which colours?

The number of ribbons matches the number of bridesmaids or close friends taking part — it works just as well for a small, intimate group as for a larger one. Not sure which colours to pick? No need to stress — just send us a photo of your dream bouquet, your dress, or a Pinterest inspiration board, and we'll put together a custom colour combination for you, free of charge.

Ready to bring the ribbon pull ceremony to your own wedding?

We're the only maker of wedding bouquet ribbon pull sets in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. We offer more than 70 colour shades across satin, premium matte satin, and lace ribbons — plus a matching bottle version for the groom.

Not sure which colours to choose? Get in touch — our colour consultation is completely free, and we reply within 24 hours.