Rhiannon Hendricks
Trees and flowers have long been used to symbolise weddings, with their presence at these celebrations dating back to Victorian England in the 19th century. Flowers, in particular, have been used to express affection and communicate secret messages between prospective suitors. Today, flowers are carefully selected for bridal bouquets, boutonnieres, and centerpieces, with each bloom carrying a unique message. Similarly, trees are often gifted to newlyweds or planted during wedding ceremonies, symbolising the couple's commitment to each other and the environment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Flowers | Roses, Tulips, Calla lilies, Peonies, Sunflowers, Gardenias, Orchids, Gomphrena, Caladium, Cornflowers, Dahlias, Magnolias, Lilacs, Wisteria, Alliums, Amaranthuses, Poppies, Carnations, Chrysanthemums, Hydrangeas, Anemones |
| Symbolism | Love, Purity, Joy, Compassion, Optimism, Long life, Unity, Eternity, Remembrance, Resistance, Strength, Peace, Prosperity, Friendship, Commitment, Honour, Wealth, Good luck, Devotion, Strength, Grace, Dignity, Purity, Adoration, Innocence, Affection, Beauty, Passion, Optimism |
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What You'll Learn
Roses: Love, emotion, beauty, and passion
Flowers are an integral part of wedding decor, but they can also play a significant role in storytelling and expressing meaning. The language of flowers, which originated in Victorian England in the 19th century, is still relevant today, with many couples choosing flowers for their symbolic meanings.
Roses, in particular, are a popular choice for weddings, symbolizing love, emotion, beauty, and passion. The meaning of roses has endured since the Victorian era, and their colour often adds nuance to their interpretation. Red roses, for example, symbolize passionate love and desire, while white roses represent purity, innocence, and pure affection. The life stage of the rose also holds significance; rosebuds can represent a new future, while roses in full bloom can convey a love that is already flourishing.
The versatility of roses is another advantage, as they are available year-round and come in a wide variety of colours, making them easy to incorporate into any wedding colour scheme. They can be mixed with other flowers, such as ivory or creamy roses with white gardenias, to create a bouquet that symbolizes joy, love, and gentleness.
Roses are also associated with a quintessential wedding theme, making them a traditional choice for bridal bouquets. Their inclusion in wedding floral arrangements not only adds beauty but also conveys a message of love, emotion, and passion, making them a meaningful way to express well wishes for the happy couple.
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Calla lilies: Beauty, spring, and summer
Calla lilies are a popular choice for weddings, often used in bridal bouquets and aisle decorations. They are native to South Africa, Swaziland, and Mozambique and are the national flower of Saint Helena. They are also known as Zantedeschia Aethiopica, derived from the Greek word "calla", meaning beauty. Calla lilies are not true lilies, but they were mistakenly named as such by Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus in the 1700s.
Calla lilies are a symbol of beauty, innocence, and purity. In Roman mythology, it is said that when Venus saw the beauty of the pure white lily, she became jealous and cursed the flower, causing a huge pistil to spring from its centre. White lilies are associated with innocence and purity, while yellow lilies symbolise gratitude.
In the 19th century, calla lilies were offered to express passionate messages without using words, often associated with femininity and hidden symbols. They are also believed to bring good luck, making them a popular choice for brides. The flowers have a mild fragrance and an elegant, trumpet-shaped bloom, making them ideal for bouquets and boutonnieres.
Calla lilies are typically in season during the spring and summer, adding a fresh and clean touch to wedding celebrations. They pair well with hydrangeas for a full and elegant look, complementing both garden and modern/art deco wedding themes. Their versatility allows them to stand alone or be mixed with other flowers, creating depth and intrigue in floral arrangements.
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Tulips: All-consuming love, colour, and seasonality
Tulips are a captivating wedding choice, embodying elegance, romance, and timeless beauty. Their simple yet striking appearance carries rich symbolism, and their decorative potential is immense. Originating from Persia and Turkey, tulips became a beloved symbol of romantic love during the Ottoman Empire. Today, they are a popular choice for weddings, offering a wonderful combination of symbolic depth and decorative flexibility.
Tulips are often associated with all-consuming love. Red tulips, in particular, are a symbol of deep love and passion, making them an excellent choice for couples who want to highlight their romantic bond. Pink tulips also represent love, as well as innocence, youthfulness, cheerfulness, and sweetness. Combining red tulips with other crimson flowers, such as red roses, creates a grand bouquet. Pink tulips are also a charming choice for bridesmaids, adding a touch of playfulness and elegance to the wedding party.
The colour of tulips holds symbolic meaning, allowing couples to express specific sentiments through their floral arrangements. White tulips symbolize purity and new beginnings, aligning perfectly with the concept of marriage. Yellow tulips represent happiness and cheerfulness, adding a bright and joyful touch to the decor. Purple tulips symbolize royalty and admiration, lending a regal and sophisticated air to the wedding theme. A combination of red and purple tulips can bring a contemporary and chic touch to table settings.
Tulips are the ultimate spring flower, pairing wonderfully with other seasonal blooms. Spring is the prime season for tulips, making them ideal for spring weddings. Their availability during this time ensures fresh and abundant blooms, enhancing the overall aesthetic of the wedding. However, tulips can grow in most seasons with the right conditions, and they continue to grow even after being cut, making them a versatile and cost-effective choice for wedding florals.
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Peonies: Compassion, bravery, good fortune, and love
Flowers have long been used to convey coded messages and their symbolism is often deeply rooted in culture and tradition. In the context of weddings, flowers are not only chosen for their beauty but also for their ability to tell a story and express sentiments that words cannot.
Peonies, in particular, are beloved in wedding ceremonies for their lush, full blooms and fragrant scent. Beyond their breathtaking aesthetics, peonies carry profound meanings that directly resonate with the essence of a wedding. Known as symbols of marital bliss, harmony, prosperity, and good fortune, peonies align seamlessly with the values and dreams that couples hold dear on their special day.
Peonies are often regarded as the "queen of flowers", and their presence in weddings is believed to bring luck and joy to the newlyweds. This belief is especially prominent in Chinese culture, where peonies are referred to as the "flower of riches and honour". In traditional Chinese weddings, peonies are used in décor, bridal bouquets, and arrangements, symbolising wealth, high social status, and a prosperous marriage.
The peony's symbolism also extends to Japanese culture, where it is known for bravery, courage, and honour in the face of adversity. In European traditions, the peony is associated with romance, healing, and protection. Ancient Greeks attributed the origin of the peony to Paeon, the physician to the gods in mythology, thus linking the flower to medicinal uses and divine favour.
Peonies are also symbolic of compassion. According to Greek mythology, Paeon used a peony root to heal Pluto. Jealousy led to an attempt on Paeon's life, and to save him, Pluto transformed him into a peony. This legend has contributed to the peony's association with healing and compassion.
In conclusion, peonies embody a multitude of sentiments, including compassion, bravery, good fortune, and love, making them a meaningful and popular choice for weddings and other significant life events.
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Sunflowers: Purity, adoration, and dedicated love
Flowers are an integral part of a wedding's decor, but they can also help tell a story and express meaning. The language of flowers became popular in Victorian England, and they were used to express affection and send coded messages. Flowers have multiple meanings depending on the culture, and some meanings have evolved over time.
Sunflowers, with their golden petals and rich symbolism, add radiance and rustic charm to ceremonies. They are a unique, bold, and vibrant choice for a bridal bouquet, especially in the summer and fall. In the Victorian era, dwarf sunflowers expressed adoration for a suitor, and carrying a bouquet of sunflowers today can convey that your fiance is the sunshine of your life.
Sunflowers are a symbol of positivity, warmth, and optimism. Their characteristic of turning towards the sun as it moves is a metaphor for loyalty and unwavering faith. In many cultures, they represent adoration, loyalty, and longevity, and are associated with abundance and fertility. In China, they are a symbol of good fortune and happiness.
Native Americans also considered sunflowers to be symbols of bounty and fertility, with their seeds providing a valuable food source. In ancient Greece, the sunflower was associated with the sun god Apollo, believed to follow him as he travelled across the sky. This early connection with the sun and harvest is the basis for the sunflower's symbolism of warmth, abundance, and prosperity.
Sunflowers represent purity, adoration, and dedicated love. They can be paired with baby's breath or daisies for a beautiful effect.
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Frequently asked questions
Roses are a traditional wedding flower, symbolising love, emotion and beauty. Red roses convey passionate love and desire, while white roses symbolise purity and innocence.
Trees do not seem to be as popular as flowers in weddings. However, wisteria vines symbolise devotion and long-lasting love, making them a meaningful floral display at weddings.
Calla lilies represent beauty, while tulips symbolise all-consuming love. Peonies symbolise compassion, love, prosperity, good luck, and wealth. Dahlias represent dignity, inner strength, grace under pressure, devotion and commitment.
Some flowers with negative symbolism to avoid in weddings include petunias, which represent resentment and anger, and daffodils, which represent unrequited love.
