In the second blog of the Wedding Traditions series (see part one here), I thought it would be nice to look at flowers, their meaning and how they became so important to our Wedding Day traditions today.
Apparently, Bridal bouquets have their origins in Roman times, where flowers were used more to decorate the celebrations because they were seen as symbols of fertility, fidelity and new beginnings.
Herbs were used in the Middle Ages, especially those seen to protect from evil spirits, like Garlic. I don’t think they needed the Here comes the Bride music then… you’d be able to smell her a mile off! Not sure that the Garlic Tradition will be hitting wedding trends anytime soon!
Herbs with aphrodisiac properties, like Dill, were fed to the newlyweds to prepare them for the consummation of their union.
Royal Brides, part of the Iced and Spliced by Cakey Wakey
In Victorian times, the language of flowers, or ‘Floriography’, became very popular. The romance of flowers and their intoxicating fragrances was something the Victorians loved.
In fact, Queen Victoria, with her love for flowers, their meaning and scent, set many of the bridal customs we observe today, during the meticulous planning of her own wedding in 1840.
Every Royal Bride since Victoria has had a sprig of ‘Myrtle’ in her Bouquet.
Myrtle, flower mentioned in the Iced and Spliced by Cakey Wakey
Associated with Venus, or Aphrodite if you prefer your mythology in the Greek form, Myrtle is an emblem of love and desire. Valued for its fragrant oils, Greek & Roman women bathed in myrtle-scented water as part of their wedding preparations.
Perhaps this bathing ritual is where the idea that flowers were carried by the Bride to mask body odours, when people weren’t able to wash as frequently as we do today. This lack of hygiene thankfully has been proved to be a myth.
The Victorians loved to send secret messages in flower form, so let’s stop for a minute to work out the meanings of some of the most popular blooms used in weddings today.
Roses
The Rose symbolises’ love’, but also has other meanings, depending on its colour so if you want to really look at the meaning of your wedding flower, choose your colour wisely!
Ranunculus
This pretty, paperlike flower symbolises ‘radiant charm and attractiveness’.
Peony
It’s such a shame that this flower has such a short season, as it represents ‘a happy life, happy marriage, good health and prosperity’. If your wedding is out of sync with the Peony season, you could always add good quality silk blooms to your bouquet or arrangements to bring this message into your day.
Sunflowers
Popular as a stand alone theme for weddings, Sunflowers represent ‘dedicated love’
Hydrangea
Big & blousey, Hydrangeas feature in so many weddings. In their positive sense, they symbolise ‘heartfelt emotion and gratitude’
Calla Lilies
Not so much in favour with Brides right now, but the White Calla Lily is associated with ‘purity and innocence’… the perfect choice for a wedding.
Close up of sugar roses & foliage on a 5 tier wedding cake at The Nottinghamshire
The introduction of flowers with specific meaning proved popular after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s wedding.
Looking at the meaning of flowers to include in your own bouquet would be a lovely way to start your own family tradition. Holding something in your hand that has a depth of meaning to it can feel so special and add more emotion and personalisation to your day.
I know several of our brides are including very specific flowers in their bouquets and arrangements as a link to a lost loved one, or have decided to have a similar style to their own parent’s wedding choice. Such a lovely way to honour those who went before us and to start those traditions in your own family.
Let’s talk buttonholes!
A Groom wears a buttonhole… or boutonniere… which literally means ‘buttonhole flower’, to ward off bad luck and evil spirits. The wearing of ‘his lady’s colours’ harks back to the age of Chivalry, where a Knight would carry a scarf of flower awarded to him by a female admirer into battle, showing her support of him.
Today, the Groom’s buttonhole, matching the flowers carried by the Bride shows the tie between them both.
I hope you’ve found this little blog informative & fun. I’ll be writing the next one soon, so if you’d like to be one of the first to receive notification that the new blog is available to read, click the link to add your details to our newsletter service, where you’ll also receive a free Wedding Timeline Planner to help you plan your dream wedding.
