Flowers
History behind the Flowers in your Bouquet
Wedding Flowers - Bridal Bouquets
The best place to begin your planning may be with the style of the bridal bouquet which will set the theme, colour and style for the bridal party as well as the arrangements for the ceremony and reception.
The origins of the bridal bouquet are from ancient beliefs that strong smelling spices and herbs (including garlic and chives) protected wedding partys from bad luck, evil spirits, and ill health.
Some time later, Roman wedding traditions expanded this concept with the custom of decorating the bride and groom in floral garlands which symbolized new life and hope for fertility.
The Greeks and Romans also began the custom of strewing flowers before the bridal couple to symbolize the essence of love.
Currently, your choices of flowers may be influenced by "meanings" attributed to flowers during the Victorian era.
Some of the most popular flowers and greenery and their meanings are:
Amaranthus - Immortality
Apple Blossom - Better things to come
Baby's breath - Pure heart
Bachelor Button - Delicacy
Bamboo - Strength, Loyalty
Bluebell - Constancy
Blue Violet - Faithfulness
Camellia - Gratitude
Carnation - Fascination and love
Chrysanthemum (red) - I love you
Chrysanthemum (white) - Truth
Cyclamen - Modesty and shyness
Daffodil - Regard, joy
Dahlia - Good Taste
Daisy - Innocence
Flax - Fate, I feel your kindness
Fern - Fascination and sincerity
Flowering Almond - Hope
Forget-me-not - True love and remembrance
Gardenia - Joy
Grape - Charity
Hemp - Fate
Heliotrope - Devotion and faithfulness
Honeysuckle - Generosity
Hyacinth - Loveliness
Hydrangea - Boastfulness
Iris - Warmth of affection
Ivy - Eternal fidelity
Japonica - Loveliness
Jasmine - Amiability
Lemon Blossom - Fidelity in love
Lilac (white) - Youthful innocence
Lily - Majesty
Lily-of-the-valley - Return of happiness
Magnolia - Perseverance, Nobility
Maidenhair - Discretion
Mimosa - Sensitivity
Orange Blossom - Purity and virginity
Orchid - Ecstasy, Nobility
Peach Blossom - Captive
Poppy - Fantastic, Extravagance
Reed - Music
Rose (red) - Love
Rose (white) - Worthiness
Rose (other colors) - Love and beauty
Rosemary - Remembrance
Snowdrop - Hope
Sweet Pea - Delicate pleasures
Tulip - Love
Veronica - Fidelity
Violet - Faithfulness
Wheat - Riches, Friendliness
White daisy - innocence
Wisteria - I cling to thee
The perfect wedding bouquet is the one that YOU want.
If all of your life you've dreamed of carrying 45 mixed roses down the aisle - but the teeny nosegay bouquet is in style - go with your dream. Forget fashion, style, your mother's favorite flowers, your bridesmaid's dream bouquet.
It's yours. Your once-in-a-lifetime wedding.
If you have a dream, follow it - that's the first step toward living happily ever-after.
