There are a host of beautiful blooms to choose from, but one aspect which you might not have considered is the symbolic meaning of each flower. Every spray or blossom in a wedding bouquet has its own special significance, in many cases dating back to Victorian times, when the language of flowers was used between courting couples to send one another secret messages of undying love.
Here we take a look at the meanings of nine top wedding flowers, all popular with brides in Essex, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and Norfolk. Choosing these types of bloom will not only add colour, interest and beauty to your bouquet, but will also give it a significance for you alone, as combining meanings can make an arrangement truly personal..
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1. Rose
This traditional and romantic choice for weddings has a variety of meanings depending on colour – so, if you choose a bouquet of different roses, you can mix meanings while still sticking to one type of flower. White is said to mean "Innocence", while pink signifies "Perfect Happiness", a red rose means "Romantic Love", and a tea rose means "A Memory To Last Forever". All of these are beautifully appropriate to weddings, and you could also add in rosebuds for "Beauty and Youth", or yellow roses which carry a meaning of "Joy and Friendship".
2. Lily of the Valley
"Return of Happiness," is one traditional meaning of this white bell-shaped flower, giving it added poignancy for a second marriage or one where the happy couple have overcome difficulties. However, it also has other meanings, including "Purity" and "Sweetness". With its fresh scent and dark green foliage, the lily of the valley adds a classy touch to a wedding bouquet, and is often combined with other flowers. Although traditional white lily of the valley is best known, there is also a rare pink version of the flower.
3. Orchid
Signifying "Love and Beauty", these exotic wedding flowers are often chosen by Essex and Suffolk brides to add excitement to their bouquets. Orchids tend to be associated with the tropics, but they are in fact grown all over the world. Many varieties are grown in hothouses but this isn't always necessary. Orchids come in a host of colours, including white and pink, which are often popular choices for weddings.
4. Gladioli
These tall, impressive flowers have the meanings "SIncerity" and "Generosity", making them an appropriate choice for a wedding bouquet, a table centrepiece or an arrangement for a reception. They are available in white and also in a wide choice of other colours, including deep wine-red, magenta and even green, as well as bi-coloured varieties.
5. Gerbera
If you are looking for a strikingly different addition to your wedding flowers, then these brightly-coloured members of the sunflower family could be the answer. Meaning "Innocence", the very popular cut flowers come in a range of colours, including yellows, oranges and pinks as well as white, and make a stunning impression in arrangements for your ceremony or reception.
6. Gypsophila
"Fertility" is the meaning of this popular flower, which is rarely used alone but usually combined with other flowers, giving a sense of exuberance and informality. In America, it is common for young girls going to a wedding to have their hats decorated with this flower and, while this might not be the custom in the UK, it is still a popular element in floral arrangements at ceremonies. Gypsophila gives a light, frothy effect and goes with any colour scheme.
7. Hyacinth
The meaning of the hyacinth varies depending on colour, but blue ones mean "Constancy", while white ones mean "Loveliness", making both of these appropriate for floral arrangements at weddings. The buttonhole pictured here combines a white rose, meaning "Innocence", with a blue hyacinth, signifying "Constancy".
8. Ivy
It's not a flower, admittedly, but ivy is still an important element in many floral arrangements at weddings, with its meaning of "Fidelity and Wedded Love". Ivy's trailing and glossy dark green leaves are a great way to add drama and interest to a floral display at the ceremony or reception, while still maintaining a simple colour scheme.
Mixing it Up
With these meanings in mind, choosing flowers for a wedding bouquet, or floral arrangements at the ceremony and reception, can be about more than creating a colour scheme and making a visual impact. The flowers become ways to give your special day extra significance. Some brides like to preserve their bouquets and, if you do decide to keep some of your flowers, the effort you made in choosing your bouquet will then have enduring meaning over the years.
About Tolly's
Whether you are seeking traditional or contemporary wedding flowers for your Essex, Suffolk or Cambridgeshire wedding, Tolly's can create arrangements tailored to you. Head designer Tolly Constantine has been coming up with stunning floral creations for more than 20 years.
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