Flowers and their meanings
The best place to begin your planning would be to choose the style of the Bride’s bouquet.
This will then set the whole theme and style for the bridal party as well as the arrangements for the reception and the ceremony.
The origins of the Bride’s bouquet are from ancient beliefs that strong smelling spices and herbs, including garlic and onions, protected the bridal party from bad luck, ill health and evil spirits.
Then in later years, according to Roman wedding traditions, decorating the bride and groom in flowers were a symbol of fertility.
The Greeks and Romans began the custom of throwing flowers at the feet of the couple as they walked in the hope of granting them everlasting love.
A lot of these very old traditions are still practiced today.
We still have flower girls strewing petals in front of the Bride as she makes her way to the Altar to marry her beloved.
Some couples are influenced in their choice of floral arrangements by the old traditions practiced by the Romans and Greeks and others choose flowers because of the meanings associated with them.
To give you a little more inspiration I have prepared a list of the most popular flowers and greenery and their meanings.
| Apple Blossom |
Better things to come |
| Baby’s Breath |
Pure heart |
| Bachelor Button |
Delicacy |
| Bamboo |
Strength, Loyalty |
| Blue Violet |
Faithfulness |
| Camelia |
Gratitude |
| Carnation |
Love |
| Crysanthemum |
Red, I love you, White is for Truth |
| Cyclamen |
Modesty |
| Daffodil |
Joy |
| Dahlia |
Good Taste |
| Forget-me-Not |
True love and rememberance |
| Honeysuckle |
Generosity |
| Hyacinth |
Loveliness |
| Iris |
Affectionate |
| Ivy |
Eternal love and fidelity |
| Jasmine |
Friendly nature |
| Lemon Blossom |
Fidelity in love |
| Lilac (white) |
Youthful innocence |
| Lily of the valley |
Return of happiness |
| Magnolia |
Nobility |
| Mimosa |
Sensitivity |
| Orchids |
Nobility |
| Orange Blossom |
Purity |
| Peach Blossom |
Captive |
| Poppy |
Extravagance |
| Rose (red) |
Love |
| Rose (white) |
Worthiness |
| Snowdrop |
Hope |
| Sweet Pea |
Delicate pleasures |
| Tulip |
Love |
| Violet |
Faithfulness |
| White Daisy |
Innocence |
Remember the perfect bouquet is the one that you want for your special day.
Follow your dream, that’s the first step and go with what your heart tells you.
Flowers are a significant aspect of any wedding. Ideally, the groom should wear a flower that appears in the bridal bouquet in his button-hole.
This stems from medieval times, when a knight wore his Lady's colours as a declaration of his love.
Floral Calendar
This is a general rule but some of these flowers can be obtained at different times of the year also.
Spring
Amaryllis- a large open flower, perfect for larger bouquets, table centres – a range of colours from white to red.
Anemone- There are over 100 different varities of Anemone and in magnificent bright colours for a really trendy bouquet.
Daffodil- An all time favourite, bright yellow flower can be single or double petalled and is very popular for spring weddings. Mixed with freesias or tulips makes a magnificent bouquet, just hand tied with raffa and it looks as if they are just picked from the garden that morning.
Freesia- A splendid small, very highly scented, flower in bright colours. Ideal for mixing with other spring flowers to add a pastel shade and scent, or for headdresses and posies.
Gerbera- These large and very dramatic, daisy like flowers, come in vibrant colours such as orange, red yellow and shocking pinks, ideal for posy, round or included in a teardrop bouquet.
Lily of the valley- These tiny white flowers are bell shaped, with a sweet fragrance, and are ideal for small posies.
Orchids- Exotic and extremely costly but available in a variety of fantastic colours. If you wanted a very modern bouquet just simply tie a few long stems for a stunning look, works especially well with tall brides.
Stephanotis- This is a very popular wedding flower, very small flowers but very heavily scented with a wonderful perfume. Added with freesias or anemones for extra aroma.
Sweet Pea- An all time classic wedding favourite, sweet pea has very delicate petals and a very sweet lingering scent. Comes in amazing rich colours.
Tulip- Again like daffodils can be multi petalled and in a range of colours and some varities have frilled edges. Added with white flowers, such as roses, stephanotis you will have a very cottage garden style bouquet, but very colourful and scented.
Summer
Anthurium- Famous for it’s waxy, shiny looking flowers. Very popular for overseas weddings.
Carnations- The traditional choice for buttonholes, but also works very well en masse in pomanders for bridesmaids. Lots of colours to choose from.
Chrysanthemum- A very versatile flower, available in all shapes, from normal daisy like to larger pom-pom varieties.
Gypsophilia- Also known as Baby’s Breath, tiny pink or white flowers, almost with the appearance of clouds. This is best used in large clumps throughout a bouquet.
Lily- There are approx. 100 varities of lilies ranging is shapes and colours, anything from white to blood red. These flowers are so versatile and be used in any floral arrangement.
Calla lilies are extremely popular as “long stemmed bouquets” and the smaller variety make excellent buttonholes and are an excellent substitute for roses or carnations – but not always in season.
Magnolia- Large, subtly scented flowers in a range of shapes and colours. Better suited to reception floral arrangements that bouquets.
Peony- A wonderful large, fragrant flower with a bowl shaped head – so popular in modern bouquets and their light shades of white and pale pink, they blend in with all colour schemes.
Rose- The most popular choice for all wedding bouquets and floral arrangements. The are available in a huge variety of sizes, shapes and colours.
Sunflower- Excellent choice for a summer wedding. They can be expensive but because they are large, fewer blooms are necessary. Not recommended for smaller brides.
Autumn
Agapanthus- A large, bell shaped flower in a striking violet-blue. Perfect for adding that much needed splash of colour to bouquets and centerpieces.
Aster- Small daisy like flowers – wide variety of colours, most carrying a bright yellow centre. Make a pretty addition to bouquets.
Clematis- As a trailing plant the delicate flowers of the clematis are perfect for trailing bouquets, the delicate flowers add a little mystique to any bouquet.
Daisy- This year round flower is an all time favourite, and it always manages to look bright and cheerful. An ideal flower to include in your wedding bouquets and arrangements.
Hosta- Not strictly a flower but a variety of foliage carrying large heart shaped leaves. Ranges is colours from soft blue hues to green shades. Makes an ideal addition to any bouquet and also decorations.
Hydrangea- A large round shaped flower in pretty pastel colours of blues and pinks. Good for centerpieces and pedestal arrangements – not an ideal choice for bouquets.
Pinks- Pretty flowers in a variety of shades of pinks, from pale to dark (almost red). Would suit most bouquets.
Winter
Camelia- Fantastic open faced flowers ranging from a single row of petals to overlapping multi rows. Very popular for buttonholes because of the beautiful green, shiny leaves.
Iris- An unusual shaped flower with three large petals with a yellow panel in the centre from the middle to the top (almost in the shape of a champagne flute). Normal colours of white, lilac or blue.
Hyacinth- Most varities carry a wonderful scent – these flowers have a profusion of beautifully scented bell like flowers on a spike. In various colours of pinks and soft mauves, lilac. An excellent for table decorations and can be displayed in several ways using water and candles.
Pansy- Small flat faced flowers with an almost velvet look to the petals. They come in a huge variety of sizes and colours and add wonderful colours to any flower arrangement. Stem would be almost too small to add to a bouquet.
Snowdrop- This classic bride’s flower comes in pure white. It’s ideal for a hand tied posy for the “English Rose” look.
Tulip- Another firm favourite because of the variety of shape, size and colour. The frilled edge variety is extremely popular in modern bouquets.
