The History of Flowers in Weddings & Why They’re So Important
Ever wondered how flowers and weddings became the perfect pair?
Flowers have actually played a part in weddings for centuries, but over time their role has changed drastically. The meaning and history of flowers in weddings is something that gets lost in translation as time goes on, but I think it’s absolutely beautiful. Today, I want to chat about where wedding flowers originated, but also the history of a few of the most popular wedding flowers.
Wedding floral as we know it is a beautiful addition to the wedding day. It creates an experience for the couple and their guests, all while making the venue beautiful. The bride usually carries flowers that match the wedding’s color scheme down the aisle, complimenting her dress and overall look.
But take us back a few thousand years, and the flowers weren’t just there to be pretty!
The bouquet in ancient Roman and Greek times, for example, was a collection of herbs and spices meant to ward off spirits and bad luck during the wedding. Bouquets were also used to mask the smell of those walking down the aisle, since bathing in some of those ancient times wasn’t always a common occurrence.
It wasn’t until Victorian times that we see the bouquet we know today. Queen Victoria was actually the one to set the trend in this time when she married Prince Albert. Victorian times was also when we started to see the trend of flowers being sent as gifts to express love. It was at this time each flower began to take on a specific meaning. Flowers for weddings were chosen based on what that flower would bring to the couple.
One flower we see time and time again in the wedding world is the Anemone, also known as the windflower.
This flower blooms in the spring, so it’s perfect for those springtime weddings. In Victorian times, the Anemone stood for forsaken love. It was also one of the flowers often carried to ward off pests and disease. Over the years, different types of anemones had different purposes – some were poisonous, while others were used to heal! If you’re wanting a monochrome wedding, anemones are one of the few flowers with black centers, making it the perfect flower for your arrangements and installations.
Roses are our second most popular, and symbolize beauty and love.
Roses date back 35 million years, and we have proof of that thanks to fossil records. But the cultivation of them in Gardens didn’t begin until about 5,000 years ago. Over the centuries they’ve been used as medicine, confetti for celebrations, and They became so popular in the 17th century that people used them as money.
Last but not least, the most popular of all is the Peony.
The Peony dates back to 1000 BC, and the Peony that we know and love made its way to Japan right around the 8th century. They signify wealth, abundance, honor, and elegance, so if you’re looking to manifest those traits into your life, then these flowers are for you. Total there are about 40 species of this flower, and they bloom in late spring – early summer. Believe it or not, they’re actually available in every color EXCEPT blue.
In the end, the history of flowers in weddings is a rich one. Even though many of the flower’s meanings have been lost overtime, it’s fascinating to think that so many past wedding flowers have been chosen with a purpose, instead of just looking pretty in a vase. I encourage you to look into the meaning of your flowers when you plan your wedding! You never know what you might discover.
Flowers have been an integral part of weddings for so many years. I love being able to bring a unique twist, style, and look to weddings through eclectic, bold floral arrangements. All these years later, flowers are STILL so highlighted in weddings, and I couldn’t love it any more.
Wedding florals aren’t ever going out to style, that’s for sure.
Ready to make your floral dreams a reality?
