Planning a wedding is very exciting. There’s so much to do. Finding the perfect dress, shoes to match, the most surreal venue and heavenly décor are only a few points to consider.
Finding the right flower bouquets and table settings are equally important. Most brides spend hours selecting the perfect flowers to add the right colour, texture and ambiance to their special day. The flower delivery Toorak vendors can offer will add beauty and elegance to a bride’s special day.
Why Do Brides Carry Bouquets on Their Wedding Days?
The tradition of brides carrying flowers began in ancient times. In Ancient Rome, brides either wore or carried flower garlands since the original belief was that flowers signify new beginnings. They were also a symbol of hope and fertility and as a result, became an important part of wedding ceremonies in many cultures. The tradition has stuck through the ages.
Ancient Greeks and Egyptians also carried flowers for their fragrance as well as to ward off potential bad luck.
Superstitions to Consider When Choosing Your Wedding Flowers
Every bride wants her wedding day to be memorable. Everything needs to be perfect and there are several traditions and beliefs still honoured to this day. Among them are the superstitions and symbolism associated with the bride’s choice of flowers. Let’s look at some of them.
Some Bring Good Fortune
There are several flowers that not only add elegance and beauty to a wedding but are also believed to add good fortune. Some of these flowers include the following:
- Lavender
- Jasmine
- Lilies
- Lily of the Valley
- Marigold
- Orange Blossoms
- Gardenia
- Olive Branch
Avoid Some Bad Fortune
Peonies are believed to bring bad luck on your wedding day. This is largely because peonies are said to represent shame in many cultures. Other cultures believe the exact opposite. So, for this one, you’ll have to decide which belief is most aligned to your own cultural beliefs.
An old Victorian superstition says that having only red and white flowers in your bouquet will bring death and misfortune. It might be a good idea to add several other colours to your bouquets, just in case!
What Are The Most Commonly Chosen Flowers for Bridal Bouquets?
Bridal bouquets are often made up of either bride’s favorite choices of flowers or a combination of the blooms that complement the colour scheme.
However, some flower choices are consistently more popular than others. Let’s have a look at some of the most popular choices.
- Rose (by far the most popular flower chosen for weddings)
- Tulip
- Orchids
- Hydrangea
- Calla Lily
- Gardenia
- Daisy
- Stephanotis
- Ranunculus
Why do Brides Throw Their Flower Bouquets?
The tradition of the bride tossing her main bouquet originated in England. It was customary for the women attending the wedding to rip pieces of the bride’s dress and flowers to gain some of her good fortunes. The bride would toss her bouquet at the excited mob to escape them.
Considering the prices of some wedding gowns these days, I think modern brides prefer the flower tossing to the dress ripping!
Why Do Flower Girls Drop Petals?
The old tradition of having a flower girl drop petals down the aisle is very symbolic in nature. The young girl walks down the aisle in front of the bride sprinkling flowers as she walks. The girl symbolizes fertility and the sprinkling of the flowers represents the loss of purity to love.
A Few Tips to Make Your Bouquet Unique
Very few brides want a carbon copy wedding. The general idea is to have a unique yet elegant and stylish wedding. Changing the way the flowers and arrangements are used at your wedding will go a long way to being unique.
Some of the ways to personalise your wedding bouquets include the following:
- Opt for bold blooms with a variety of bright colours. This will make for a better visual effect. Don’t focus too much on white. There will probably be a lot of white around you already. The flowers should create a pop of colour.
- Stray from the traditional bouquet shape. An arm bouquet is a beautiful variation to the usual cascade.
- Instead of using popular flowers like roses as your center flowers, use less popular flowers in unique ways. Use these less popular flowers as the main piece with smaller roses or hydrangeas as the fillers. There are enough varieties of flowers for you to not have to rely on the choices everyone else is using!
- Let your bridal bouquets coordinate with the floral arrangements used in your décor. Let the arrangements be similar but not exact. This will create an elegant floral palate throughout.
A Final Thought about Superstitions Surrounding Bridal Flowers
Flowers are one of the key components of any wedding. Not only do they set the mood, but the right choices add a sense of elegance and style. They can complement your ambiance or be the center of your theme.
You might not believe in the traditions that surround flowers. Perhaps you simply just adore them for the beauty they bring to your life. Irrespective of your decision to include certain blooms and exclude others, one thing is certain. The traditions that surround your favorite flowers are as rich as the blossoms themselves!
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