Traditional Wedding Flowers Hertfordshire – See a selection of our traditional wedding flowers for Hertfordshire, Essex, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire weddings.
What Are Traditional Flowers - What Does Traditional Mean?
If you are getting married and looking for traditional wedding flowers for your Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk or Essex wedding then you may be keen to bring in symbolic elements into your wedding day flowers. The modern wedding ritual is largely unchanged from its medieval beginnings and the elements that make up many of today’s traditional weddings are reiterations of the past, the main intention being to connect the newly married couple to an longer and more ancient tradition, giving a sense of stability and continuity with past generations.
The traditional use of flowers and something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue, all have significant meaning which draw from the past. The traditional wedding, as we now know it, tries to include old rituals: the church wedding, the bridesmaids and ushers, the veil, flowers and reception, even though their original symbolic meaning has been somewhat diluted.
The use of flowers play a major role in today’s traditional wedding but they are nowhere near as symbolic as the aromatic bunches of herbs and grains once carried by brides to ward off ghostly spirits as they walked down the aisle. However that doesn’t mean to say that you can’t bring some of these old symbolic gestures back in to your traditional wedding flowers.
Today’s wedding flower arrangements are significantly more elaborate than their historical counterparts which in some instances used to be simple sheaves of wheat, which were symbolic of growth, fertility and everlasting love, or herbs which were believed to have magical powers. It was only in Victorian times that flowers took on their own meaning and flowers became a way for lovers to communicate to each other. Today flowers are used to help create atmosphere and wedding themes such as the English country wedding, modern and contemporary, or traditional - all of which are designed to reflect the lives and the love of the bride and groom.
Using Locally Available and Seasonal Flowers
Historically, brides would have used whatever was available at the time of getting married. Cultivating flowers throughout the year would not have been possible in the past and the meaning and ritual of the flowers used would have depended on what was around at the time and in season.
This can still apply today if you want to reflect seasonal blooms in your wedding flowers. You can also choose flowers and more traditional elements such as herbs and cereals with more meaningful and traditional flowers like Lily, Rose, Ivy, Lavender and Lily of the Valley, as seen in this beautiful hand tied bouquet. Lily of the Valley can also be combined with Roses and Ivy to create a more compact arrangement.
Traditional Colours
Whites, creams, soft pinks and tender tones of yellow, set against a backdrop of grey green Ivy and bright green Jasmine leaves are amongst the more familiar colour ways used in traditional floral themes. Slightly bolder colour schemes come when using pink Peonies, Roses and Ranunculi set against gold or brown tones which can be achieved with linen and bridesmaid dresses. Other more subtle colour schemes are those of green and cream bouquets as seen below.
Other subtle colour schemes are lavender and pink or you can go for bold bright and light pink combinations which are sophisticated and will work all year round.
Traditional Bouquet Design
The bridal bouquet, traditionally symbolic of happiness, used to be made of herbs, Thistle, Ivy and Heather. Each herb had its own meaning such as Sage indicating wisdom and Dill meaning lusty, but flowers later became known for their very own meaning: Daisy, innocence; Jasmine, elegance and grace; Lilac, first love; Orange Blossom, fertility; and Lily, purity.
In this example above soft pink and creamy white Roses are edged with Ivy. Traditionally the Ivy would symbolise fidelity, the pink Rose friendship, and creamy white Rose purity: a perfect message for your traditional wedding day.
Traditional Ceremony Flowers
Church flowers, doorways and gateways, when decorated in the theme of your wedding, bring everything together. In the example below a church doorway has been decorated with a mixed colour arrangement of local, English flowers, bringing a sense of tradition to the very start of the day.
Traditional Reception Flowers
Flower arrangements are used to decorate the tables, chairs, dance floors, marquees and walkways adding colour and style to any wedding reception. There are three styles of floral arrangements which florists work to: Oriental which concentrates on the lines of the arrangement, Modern where the rules vary according to current fashion, and Traditional. Traditional is where the florist will work to a more conventional shape and outline creating balance and stability in the overall arrangement. The florist will also be working to other guidelines which create a focal point and rhythm which are all aimed at directing the eye.
In this example above we can see a mass of Roses and greenery creating a large freestanding venue display and complementing the cake which has been decorated with large, full bloom white Roses.
In the example below large, full bloom pink Roses and smaller cream Roses have been used to edge the cake, with a hint of purple Jasmine and budding Roses set with greenery to top the cake.
Traditional Never Goes Out of Fashion
When choosing wedding flowers for your Hertfordshire, Essex or Suffolk wedding, whatever style you go for, choosing something that doesn’t date is really important. This may seem odd when the flowers that you have on your wedding day will only last a few days or weeks, but your photos of the day will be something that you can treasure forever. Traditional wedding flowers, if done with this in mind, will create a lasting memory of a very special and symbolic wedding day.
Traditional Wedding Flowers Hertfordshire – Click here for more traditional design inspiration for Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex and Hertfordshire wedding flowers.
To help you create the perfect traditional wedding flowers contact us today on 01638 668805 or through our contact page to arrange your free wedding consultation.
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