The Language Of Wedding Flowers: A Guide To Their Meanings And Symbolism

Flowers have been used to express emotions and symbolise specific qualities for millennia. Floriography, or the language of flowers, has been used across multiple cultures for centuries, with the practice being popularised in Victorian England. Flowers are an integral part of a wedding, adding a decorative touch and infusing the day with personal meaning. Couples can choose blooms that represent their personalities and values, from love and passion to joy, friendship, and new beginnings. The colour of the flowers also plays a significant role in their meaning. For example, red roses symbolise love and romance, while white roses represent purity and innocence. Flowers like peonies, calla lilies, and sunflowers are also popular choices, each carrying their own unique significance.

The Meanings of Different Rose Colours

Flowers are an integral part of a wedding's decor, but they can also play a significant role in storytelling and expressing emotions. The "language of flowers" dates back to Victorian times, when they were used to express emotions that words could not. Floriography, or the language of flowers, has been used for centuries across multiple cultures to communicate coded messages.

Roses, being one of the most popular flowers for weddings, carry different meanings based on their colour:

• Red roses are a classic symbol of passionate, romantic love. They also convey courage, beauty, and respect between the couple.
• White roses, also known as the "bridal flower", represent purity, chastity, innocence, and new beginnings.
• Pink roses symbolise elegance, refinement, sweetness, femininity, grace, admiration, and joy. They are a gentle alternative to red roses.
• Orange roses speak of fascination, enthusiasm, desire, and energy. They are a vibrant choice to express admiration and excitement.
• Yellow roses traditionally symbolised jealousy and greed but now represent friendship, warmth, care, remembrance, and joy.
• Green roses represent life, growth, abundance, renewal, fertility, and rejuvenation of spirit and energy. They evoke a sense of balance, stability, and peace.
• Blue roses, not found in nature, symbolise mystery, the unattainable, and uniqueness. They are a bold statement for non-traditionalists.
• Lavender roses represent enchantment, wonder, majesty, and love at first sight. They are a romantic choice to symbolise the magic of true love.
• Peach roses convey a sense of modesty, genuineness, gratitude, and sympathy. They are a "sweet" surprise and a perfect gift for a friend or daughter.
• Ivory roses symbolise charm, luxury, elegance, and thoughtfulness. They are a great way to show someone you care without romantic intentions.
• Black roses, not naturally occurring, represent death, mourning, and the end of a relationship. They can also signify new beginnings, courage, and positive change.

The History of Flower Meanings

Floriography, or the language of flowers, is the study of communication through flower arrangements. The idea of ascribing meaning to flowers is not new, but its roots can be traced back to ancient times, with evidence of its use in the works of William Shakespeare. However, it was during the 19th century in Victorian England that the language of flowers gained mass popularity.

During this time, flower arrangements were used to send coded messages, conveying feelings that were considered inappropriate to express openly. The practice of exchanging flowers with specific meanings continued into the Victorian wedding ceremonies, where brides and grooms would exchange blooms that held special significance for them.

The symbolism associated with flowers varies across different cultures. For example, while peonies are now a beloved wedding flower in Western cultures, symbolising a happy marriage, prosperity, and bashfulness, in Japan, they are associated with bravery, courage, and good fortune. Similarly, chrysanthemums, a popular choice for budget-conscious couples, represent mourning in some European countries like France and Austria but signify the arrival of autumn and friendship in the United States.

The colour of the flower also plays a significant role in its meaning. For instance, a red rose symbolises love and romance, while a white rose represents purity and innocence. Even the age of the bloom can dictate its meaning—a red rosebud signifies purity and beauty, whereas a thornless red rose conveys the idea of love at first sight.

When planning a wedding, couples often choose flowers that hold personal significance for them, incorporating these blooms into their bouquets, centrepieces, and decorations. By understanding the history and multiple meanings of different flowers, couples can create arrangements that not only align with their wedding vision but also tell a story and express emotions that words may fail to capture.

Flowers to Avoid at Weddings

Flowers have been used to express emotions and symbolise specific qualities for millennia. The "language of flowers" dates back to Victorian times, when they were used to express emotions that words and gestures could not.

While most flowers carry positive sentiments, some carry negative associations that you may want to avoid on your wedding day. Here are some flowers with meanings that may not align with the joyous occasion:

• Begonia – this flower symbolises "beware".
• Tansy – associated with "hostile thoughts", this is not a flower you want at your wedding.
• Petunias – while sometimes said to embody a soothing presence, they also represent resentment and anger.
• Daffodils – although these flowers represent respect, they also symbolise unrequited love.
• Lotus – lotus flowers are said to represent estranged love.
• Chrysanthemums – red chrysanthemums mean 'I love you', but yellow ones represent slighted love.
• Carnations – while white carnations symbolise pure love and adoration, and pink carnations say "I'll never forget you", yellow carnations convey disappointment and rejection.
• Tulips – while tempting, tulips don't live long out of the ground and will wilt quickly, so they're best left in the ground.
• Hydrangeas – these fragile blooms last only about three hours out of water, so they're not ideal for bouquets or boutonnieres.
• Daffodils – handling daffodils can lead to contact dermatitis or skin irritation, known as "daffodil itch", which is definitely not a wedding memory you want.
• Chrysanthemums – along with goldenrod, these are among the worst flowers for allergy sufferers due to the high amounts of pollen they produce.
• Calla lilies – these flowers are incredibly toxic and possibly fatal if swallowed, so it's best to avoid them if children or animals will be at the ceremony.
• Lilacs – these flowers wilt easily and are typically avoided in bouquets.
• Lilies – most lilies have pollen that can stain and a fragrance that is too overwhelming, so they're not ideal for weddings.

The Importance of Colour in Flower Meanings

Floriography, or the language of flowers, has been used for centuries to communicate certain emotions or represent specific qualities or virtues. The idea of using flowers in this way dates back to Victorian times, when people used flower arrangements to send coded messages to one another.

Today, many couples choose to personalise their weddings by incorporating flowers that hold a special meaning. For example, a red rose symbolises passion, whereas a white rose means purity, and a pink one signifies joy and admiration. The colour of a flower can therefore change its meaning entirely. For instance, a red chrysanthemum means 'I love you', while a yellow one represents slighted love. Similarly, a red poppy is linked to pleasure, while a white poppy signifies consolation.

When choosing flowers for a wedding, it's important to understand the many varied meanings a flower can have, and to select blooms that align with the overall vision and theme of the celebration.

Incorporating Personal Meaning into Flower Arrangements

Flowers have been used to express certain emotions or represent specific qualities for millennia, and each bloom carries its own unique and special meaning. Floriography, or the language of flowers, has been used for centuries across multiple cultures to communicate through flower arrangements.

When it comes to incorporating personal meaning into flower arrangements, couples should consider any personal sentimental attachments they may have to certain blooms. This could be a favourite flower, a flower that holds a special memory, or a flower that represents their relationship.

For example, if a couple's relationship began during a particularly memorable road trip, wildflowers could be incorporated into the wedding flowers to evoke that special memory. Or, if a couple's first date was at a sunflower farm, sunflowers could be a meaningful addition to their flower arrangements.

• Using flowers that are in season during a special time of the year for the couple, such as when they first met or had their first date.
• Incorporating flowers that symbolise qualities that are important to the couple, such as devotion, strength, or new beginnings.
• Choosing flowers that are native to the couple's home town or country, or that have a special significance to their culture or heritage.
• Picking flowers based on their colour symbolism, such as red for love and passion, white for purity and innocence, or yellow for friendship and joy.
• Adding flowers with hidden meanings that are personal to the couple, such as a flower that resembles a pattern or detail from their wedding invitations or a flower that represents their shared favourite hobby or activity.

By thoughtfully selecting flowers that hold personal significance, couples can create flower arrangements that truly reflect their unique relationship and add a special layer of meaning to their wedding day.

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