Bridal Resources
Choosing Flowers for your Bridal Bouquet
Back in ancient times, brides used to carry herbs in their bridal bouquets. The purpose of the herbs was to ward off evil spirits. Sage was used for wisdom, rosemary for remembrance and to ensure faithfulness, and dill meant lust. Some brides carried flowers that had been dipped in rosewater and they would later be eaten, believing this would act as an aphrodisiac.
As time went on, flowers replaced some of the herbs carried by brides. Certain flowers were meant to symbolize different meanings. Some meant happiness, eternal love, fertility and purity. The symbolism for the flowers grew over the years. Wedding bouquets were chosen based on these meanings and were very personal for each bride.
Nowadays, brides choose flowers based on personal taste, the season, their color, and sometimes their meaning. If you would like to incorporate some of the meanings into your bridal bouquet, you can choose from the list of flowers that are more commonly known from their meanings. The symbolism of each flower and their meaning is listed below.
The Society of American Florists provides the following list of flowers and their meanings:
- Alstroemeria: aspiring
- Amaryllis: dramatic
- Anemone: fragile
- Apple Blossom: promise
- Aster: contentment
- Azalea: abundance
- Baby’s Breath: festivity
- Bachelor Button: anticipation
- Begonia: deep thoughts
- Black Eyed Susan: encouragement
- Carnation, Red: flashy
- Carnation: Striped: refusal
- Carnation: White: remembrance
- Carnation Yellow: cheerful
- Chrysanthemum: Bronze: excitement
- Chrysanthemum: Red: sharing
- Chrysanthemum, Yellow: secret admirer
- Cosmos: peaceful
- Crocus: foresight
- Daffodil: chivalry
- Delphinium: boldness
- Daisy: innocence
- Freesia: spirited
- Forget-Me-Not: remember me forever
- Gardenia: joy
- Geranium: comfort
- Ginger: proud
- Gladiolus: strength of character
- Heather: solitude
- Hibiscus: delicate beauty
- Holly: domestic happiness
- Hyacinth: sincerity
- Hydrangea: perseverance
- Iris: inspiration
- Ivy: fidelity
- Jasmine: grace and elegance
- Larkspur: beautiful spirit
- Lavender: distrust
- Lilac: first love
- Lily, Calla: regal
- Lily, Casablanca: celebration
- Lily, Day: enthusiasm
- Lily, Stargazer: ambition
- Lisiathus: calming
- Magnolia: dignity
- Marigold: desire for riches
- Nasturtium: patriotism
- Orange Blossom: fertility
- Orchid: delicate beauty
- Pansy: loving thoughts
- Passion Flower: passion
- Peony: healing
- Poppy: consolation
- Queen Anne’s lace: delicate femininity
- Ranunculus: radiant
- Rhododendron: beware
- Rose, Pink: friendship
- Rose, Red: passionate love
- Rose, Red & White: unity
- Rose White: purity
- Rose Yellow: zealous
- Snapdragon: presumptuous
- Star of Bethlehem: hope
- Stephanotis: good luck
- Statice: success
- Sunflower: adoration
- Sweet pea: shyness
- Tuberose: pleasure
- Tulip, Pink: caring
- Tulip, Purple: royalty
- Tulip Red: declaration of love
- Tulip White: forgiveness
- Tulip Yellow: hopelessly in love
- Violet: faithfulness
- Wisteria: steadfast
- Yarrow: good health
- Zinnia: thoughts of friends
