Bridal Bouquet Meaning : Origin and Symbolism

 Favorite

Your wedding day is, probably, the most special day in your entire life, and you want it to be perfect. Thus, in the decision-making process for selecting flowers, you have to enlarge your knowledge on your bridal bouquet meaning. Flowers have been carrying hidden significance for centuries, some stand for romance, and feelings of hope, others having negative associations. Remember, every flower tells a story – what does your choice of flowers say about your wedding day?

Bridal Bouquet Meaning: Origins

The Wedding Bouquet

Apart from the symbolical meaning of each flower, the custom of carrying a bouquet also has an interesting origin. Did you know that this tradition originates in antiquity? In Roman times, they incorporated a mixture of aromatic herbs at each wedding ceremony because they associated them with fertility. Additionally, the bride and groom would wear a garland around their necks, which stood for hope. At that time, the strong-smelling herbs such as dill and garlic were supposed to ward off evil spirits and protect the bride and groom from bad happenings.

Nonetheless, the Victorian time altered the customs – Queen Victoria carried a bouquet mostly comprised of fresh flowers, and only some herbs. By doing that, the practice of carrying a flower bouquet became more and more popular. In Victorian times, the choice of flowers was also determined by their meaning, as lovers aimed at transmitting messages to one another through flowers.

The Bouquet Tossing

How about the tradition of the bouquet toss? In the 14th century, the bride was assumed to be extremely lucky, everything they touched became equally fortunate. On that account, wedding guests would literally go after the bride, and tear her dress apart, to obtain a small part of her luck. In order to stop the madness, the tradition of bouquet toss was born!

Popular Flowers and Bridal Bouquet Meanings

Now, let’s see some of the most popular bridal bouquets and the symbols they carry for you and your wedding.

Baby’s Breath

Recently, baby’s breath, officially known as Gypsophila, has become one of the favorite flower choices among each bride’s preferences. And that doesn’t come as a surprise. Being featured by delicate, pristine beauty, baby’s breath symbolizes the undying, everlasting love between partners. Concurrently, the tiny white flowers stand for purity and serenity.

Gardenia

We could wholeheartedly affirm that gardenia is a tropical treasure, given its waxy, luxurious petals and particular fragrance. When it comes to the bridal bouquet meaning of this arrangement, you should know that it typically stands for joy, which makes it even more suitable for your wedding. At the same time, it’s luxurious, and impressive, and carries a representative message.

Freesia

Freesias are characterized by delicacy, being recognized for their abounding, irresistible citrus scent. Being so versatile, they can beautify every bridal bouquet as they add an ounce of color and fragrance. In Victorian times, when flowers had hidden significations, freesia stood for trust. Now, it’s also related to innocence, sweetness, thoughtfulness, and friendship.

Hydrangea

Hydrangea is, by all means, the illustration of opulence and luxury. It’s a stunning flower to add to your wedding ceremony, and the meaning it carries is genuinely fascinating as well. The symbols associated with it include honest, heartfelt emotions, gratitude, and understanding.

Lily

Distinct from other flowers, lily is eternal in its charm, and that will never change. The unique beauty of this international flower has made it one of the favorite ones in multiple cultures around the world. Being characterized by sheer elegance, it doesn’t surprise us that it’s related to purity, rebirth, passion and renewal. Given this bridal bouquet meaning, there is no wonder that lilies are preferred by most brides!

Peony

Peonies are featured by thick, lush blooms. Even if we see them at almost every wedding, they still hold their magical features, and they don’t cease to amaze us. The peony symbolizes beauty, romantic love, wealth, and honor. However, this flower also has contrasting meanings, standing for shame and bashfulness as well. That symbol has its origins in a Greek myth – it appears that nymphs would hide their naked forms in the flower, to protect them from prying eyes. That’s the source of the association. However, on the opposite site, the Chinese name for the peony stands for the most beautifuland we couldn’t agree more.

Rose

Roses have always been a source of inspiration; they make their appearance in poetry, on wedding ceremonies, love celebrations and so on. Nothing declares "I love you" better than a classic bouquet of roses, right? Roses are indeed, stunning, by themselves, or combined with other flowers. They are royal, classic, and stunning. That’s why they represent feelings of joy, love, and beauty.

Tulips

Tulips are the translucent reflection of frailty. They are sweet, delicate, and have a formal appeal that is charming. On top of that, they come in numerous colors. They symbolize feelings of love and passion. Like the greater majority of flowers, various colors of tulips stand for distinct significances. For instance, red tulips are typically linked to real love, while white tulips stand for forgiveness and worthiness. Yellow tulips, however, have symbolized hopeless love in the past, and, now, they stand for sunshine and cheerfulness.

Lilac

What is the bridal bouquet meaning of beautiful lilac? This lavish, abundant flower symbolizes first love, and the emotions linked to it. If you want to include lilac in your wedding arrangements, you may combine it with tulips, roses, and many others. It’s a versatile flower, which looks ravishing for a shabby chic wedding – if it’s outdoors, it’s even better!

Anemone

Anemone is a stunning, delicate flower and it’s widely used in wedding bouquets, typically in blush, faded pink nuances. It originates from the Greek word: windflowerBut what meaning does it carry? It stands for anticipation and expectation, which are the feelings that each eager bride experiences.