Junior Rasmussen
Adding herbs to your wedding bouquet is a great way to make your special day smell as good as it looks. Whether you're a foodie or not, herbs can add a unique touch to your bouquet, with their divine fragrances and medicinal properties. In fact, the use of herbs in wedding bouquets dates back to ancient Greece, Rome and Egypt, where herbs were carried to symbolise virtues like courage, strength, love and protection. Today, herbs like rosemary, lavender, thyme, sage and mint are popular additions to wedding bouquets, with their fragrant and calming properties.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Symbolism | Luck, devotion, remembrance, wisdom, long life, courage, fertility, protection, happiness, peace, love |
| Fragrance | Calming, fragrant, aromatic, citrus |
| Visuals | Pretty, fresh, natural, organic, colourful, unique, elegant, timeless |
| Practicalities | Budget-friendly, edible, medicinal properties, health benefits |
| Examples | Lavender, rosemary, sage, thyme, mint, dill, parsley, basil, lemon verbena, lamb's ear, myrtle, bee balm, bay's breath, eucalyptus, peonies, fern, garlic |
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What You'll Learn
The meaning of herbs in wedding bouquets
The use of herbs in wedding bouquets dates back to ancient times, with different herbs carrying various symbolic meanings. In ancient Greece and Rome, brides carried aromatic bundles of garlic, herbs, and spices for superstitious and symbolic reasons, such as fidelity and good luck. Similarly, in ancient Egypt, thyme and garlic were used to ward off evil spirits.
Today, herbs continue to be a popular choice for wedding bouquets, offering not only visual appeal and a delightful fragrance but also symbolic value. Here are some common herbs used in modern wedding bouquets and their meanings:
Lavender is a herb with a beautiful purple hue that stands out in any bouquet arrangement. It symbolises devotion, love, protection, happiness, and peace—all desirable attributes for a wedding day. Its calming fragrance can also help ease pre-wedding jitters.
Rosemary is another popular choice, symbolising remembrance and fidelity. Its fragrant, needle-like leaves add a unique texture to the bouquet.
Sage is often used in modern wedding bouquets, with its greyish-green tone complementing other foliage. Sage represents wisdom, a long life, and esteem, making it a meaningful addition to any bridal arrangement.
Thyme is a small and unassuming herb that won't steal attention from the other flowers in the bouquet. However, it carries a powerful meaning of courage, bravery, and strength, making it an ideal choice for brides who may feel nervous walking down the aisle.
In addition to these, other herbs such as mint, dill, and parsley are also used in wedding bouquets, each carrying their own symbolic meanings and providing a unique, natural touch to the special day.
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Types of herbs to include
Herbs have been used in wedding bouquets since ancient times, with each herb carrying a different meaning. For example, in Ancient Greece and Rome, brides carried rosemary to symbolise remembrance and fidelity, while in Egypt, thyme and garlic were used to ward off evil spirits.
Today, herbs are still used in wedding bouquets to add a unique, natural touch. Here are some popular herbs to include:
Lavender
Lavender is a popular choice for wedding bouquets as it stands for devotion, love, protection, happiness, and peace. Its purple hue and fragrant scent make it a standout addition to any bouquet.
Rosemary
Rosemary is a fragrant herb that symbolises remembrance and fidelity. It has been used in wedding bouquets since ancient times and is said to add a unique, fresh-from-the-garden look to any arrangement.
Sage
Sage is a timeless and elegant herb that is commonly used in modern cuisine. It has broad, flat leaves and a distinct fragrance. Sage is said to symbolise wisdom, a long life, and esteem, making it a popular choice for wedding bouquets.
Thyme
Thyme is a small and unassuming herb that symbolises courage and strength. It is often used in more earthy, outdoor wedding celebrations and is said to add a wholesome touch to any bouquet.
Mint
Mint is a refreshing herb that is known for its calming effects. It has a wide range of health benefits, including lowering oxidative stress and supporting liver health. Mint is a great choice for nervous brides who want to inhale a soothing scent as they walk down the aisle.
These are just a few of the many herbs that can be included in a wedding bouquet. Whether you choose to use them for their symbolic meaning or simply for their beauty and fragrance, herbs are a wonderful way to add a unique touch to your special day.
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The history of herbs in wedding bouquets
The use of herbs in wedding bouquets dates back to ancient times, with Greece, Egypt, and Rome being the three dynasties that coined the practice. In ancient Greece and Rome, brides carried aromatic bundles of garlic, herbs, and spices for superstitious and symbolic reasons, such as fidelity and good luck. For example, Roman brides carried thyme and basil to encourage luck and fertility. Greek brides also wove mint into their bridal garlands and wreaths for an amorous touch. Meanwhile, Egyptian brides carried thyme and garlic to ward off evil spirits.
In medieval Europe, brides carried strong-smelling herb and spice bouquets to mask unpleasant odours, as personal hygiene was often lacking. These bouquets also symbolised the bride's purity and innocence.
During the Victorian era, the language of flowers, or floriography, became popular, and the herbs a bride carried took on new meanings. For example, lavender stood for luck and devotion, rosemary for remembrance, sage for a long life, and thyme for courage.
Today, the tradition of including herbs in wedding bouquets continues, with many brides choosing to add herbs such as rosemary, lavender, sage, and thyme to their floral arrangements for their fragrance, symbolism, and unique appearance.
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How to pair herbs with flowers
Herbs have been used in wedding bouquets for centuries, dating back to Ancient Greece and Rome, where brides carried herbs and spices for superstitious and symbolic reasons. The practice of incorporating herbs into wedding bouquets has evolved and today, herbs are chosen for their aesthetic appeal, fragrance, symbolism, and even edibility.
When pairing herbs with flowers, it is essential to consider the colour, texture, and overall theme or style of the bouquet. For example, if you are aiming for a leafier bouquet, herbs like sage, with its greyish-green tone, pair well with eucalyptus and ferns. For a whimsical, woodland wedding, an organic bouquet with sage and olive branches is a perfect choice.
If you prefer a pop of colour, lavender, with its purple hue, stands out and symbolises devotion, love, protection, happiness, and peace. A bouquet of lavender can be paired with complementary flowers for a romantic, wedding-in-Provence vibe. Alternatively, a few sprigs of lavender can be added to a bouquet of your favourite flowers for a fresh-from-the-garden look.
For a rustic theme, rosemary, with its woody aroma, pairs beautifully with wildflowers. Rosemary symbolises remembrance, love, loyalty, and fidelity, making it a meaningful addition to your bouquet. Thyme is another herb that symbolises courage and strength, and its small size ensures it complements the flowers without stealing the spotlight.
Herbs like parsley, with its symbolism of merriment, joy, love, protection, and purification, can complement a variety of flowers in small doses, making it a versatile addition to your bouquet.
Whether you choose a single herb or a combination, pairing herbs with flowers in your wedding bouquet adds a unique touch that stimulates the senses and carries symbolic significance.
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Where to source herbs for your bouquet
Herbs are a beautiful addition to any wedding bouquet and can be sourced from several places. If you're looking for fresh herbs, your local farmer's market is a great option. You can find unique and seasonal herbs, like borage, bee balm, and oregano flowers, to add a personal touch to your bouquet.
Another option is to grow your own herbs. Start early and plant a variety of fragrant, flowering herbs such as lavender, rosemary, and basil. This option not only ensures you have fresh herbs for your bouquet but also adds a sentimental value, especially if you're creating a bouquet for your daughter's wedding, as suggested by The Gardener.
If you don't have the time or space to grow your own, you can also buy herbs from local florists, who may offer specialised services for weddings. The Fresh Herb Co., for example, provides wedding and event flowers, including buckets of flower bouquets, loose stems, and bud vases.
For a more rustic and natural look, you can forage for herbs in your garden or the wilderness. Eucalyptus, fern, and ivy are excellent choices for a wild, bohemian bouquet. You can also dry your own herbs for a unique texture and appearance. Dried lavender, for instance, is a popular choice that retains its fragrance and beauty.
Lastly, don't underestimate the convenience of online shopping. Websites like WeddingWire offer extensive lists of herbs with their meanings, and you can find specialised companies like The Fresh Herb Co. that cater to wedding flower needs.
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Frequently asked questions
You can add herbs with symbolic meanings, such as rosemary for remembrance and fidelity, lavender for luck, devotion, love, and protection, and thyme for courage.
Fragrant herbs such as rosemary, lavender, sage, and mint pair well with flowers and can add a unique fresh-from-the-garden look to your wedding bouquet.
Sage, with its medicinal properties, including antibacterial, antispasmodic, antistress, and antiseptic benefits, is an elegant addition to your wedding bouquet. Another option is myrtle, which has various medicinal uses and a scent similar to eucalyptus.
Lamb's Ear, a woolly herb from the mint family, adds a silver sheen to any bridal bouquet and is well-suited for winter weddings. Dill is another unique herb that symbolises preservation and good spirits, making it a perfect choice for your special day.
