The Hidden Meaning Behind a Bridal Bouquet

Written By Amber Howard

The Art, Symbolism & Magic of Flowers

Like any bride planning her wedding, I wanted to add personal touches unique to my partner and I, our relationship, and our life together to make our event feel sentimental, special and impactful. Everything was carefully chosen, from the location, to the color scheme, to the vibe, to the guest and staff list, to the intention behind our ceremony. Now that our big day is over and my planning done, I am enjoying reliving and exploring our event, and everything about it that was so special to me.

I am beyond blessed in all of my friends, many of whom went above and beyond to make our day run smoothly and feel extra special. So many of the personal touches that mattered so much to me came from their efforts. As an artist, seeing my own creations come to life felt a little bit like magic, after so much effort and envisioning. But seeing what my friends created to commemorate and celebrate us on our special day was more touching than I could have imagined.

This blog post will focus on my bridal bouquet and the meaning behind the plants and flowers it contained.

My bridesmaid, Erika Flynn, graphic designer, owner and creative genius behind @goodmajick composed my bridal bouquet based on a few inspiration photos from Pinterest and a general sense of what I was looking for:

non-traditional
textural
emphasis on greenery
with a warm, tropical, boho-vibe

Wedding bouquets can be more than just aesthetic additions to a wedding event. Flowers have long been imbued with personal, cultural and spiritual significance. Scientists have attributed humanity’s attraction to flowers to survivalist instincts, as flowers can signify a proximity to fruit. While others, like the physicist and quantum theorist David Deutsch have suggested that “flowers contain a type of objective beauty, attracting humans with their harmonious colors, soft curves and symmetrical forms.”

Research shows that, “the relationship between humans and flowers is special. Humans have always been strangely attracted to flowers even when they provide no physical sustenance and when resources are low. Humans have also put embodied and physical effort into growing flowers for their aesthetic qualities." You can read more about humans’ aesthetic relationship to flowers in this study, published by the National Library of Medicine.

A selection of photos from my Pinterest board that were used to inspire the design of my wedding bouquet.

Whatever the reason, the attraction to flowers, and their importance when marking significant events like celebrations, commitment ceremonies, births, deaths and both sad and joyous occasions alike is unquestioned. In researching the plants and flowers contained in my wedding bouquet, I found Floriography.

Floriography is the language of flowers.

Flowers have different meanings, based on their type, color, characteristics and behavior. Floriography has been practiced for thousands of years in many cultures throughout Europe, Asia and Africa. The interpretation of flowers and their meanings has also been expressed by Native Americans, Ancient Egyptians, Ancient Greeks, Ancient Celts, and other cultures around the world with their own specialized flower-language.

Many flowers still derive their meaning and symbolism from ancient myths and legends. The Language of Flowers was also heavily influenced by the Victorian era. Under the reign of Queen Victoria, new standards of etiquette limited communication across England’s upper class. As a result, gifts of flowers were used to send coded messages, allowing the sender to express feelings which could not be spoken aloud in Victorian society. Le Language de Fleurs, the first dictionary for flowers, was written in 1818 by Charlotte de la Tour. This was followed in 1879 by Flower Lore, The Teachings of Flowers, authored by Miss Carruthers of Inverness. For a full list of flowers and their meanings from the Victorian era, you can read an archived copy of Kate Greenaway’s 1884 book Language of Flowers here.

In a bouquet, flowers can have symbolic significance based on Floriography and be used to convey various feelings and emotions, symbolize blessings, well-wishes, and imbue flower magic.

The Use and Application of Flowers

Flowers have been used for centuries as sources of food, drink, medicines and more. They can be used for aromatherapy, in teas, medicinally, and as air purifiers. Practically, they can be used as dyes, in beauty products, and expressively in art and craft. They are used in charms and rituals, herbal potions, and can be used and grown to help manifest the life conditions you desire.

Check out Tess Whitehurst’s book, The Magic of Flowers, to learn how as manifestations of divine beauty and wisdom, flowers can offer countless magical and spiritual ways to connect with them.

Using magic, blessings, or other spiritual practices is common at commitment ceremonies and other important life-events. They are often used with the intention of acquiring knowledge, power, love, or wealth, OR, to ward off illness or danger. It is interesting to think how you witness these practices regularly at significant events and rituals like commitment ceremonies, births and deaths, and yet, so much of the symbolism and history goes unnoticed.

The Perfect Bridal Bouquet

I trusted Erika completely when it came to designing my bouquet. She’s incredibly talented, exceptionally thoughtful, unbelievably hard-working, and has an eye and flair for all things design. She knew my aesthetic and my intention and completely delivered on the most gorgeous, personalized, exceptional bridal bouquet. Honestly, I was surprised by how perfect and intentional all the aspects and pieces of it felt, and by how attached I would grow to it. Finding myself mourning it’s passing as the flowers slowly withered, dried or died post-wedding was an experience I never anticipated. It has been by creating art with its remnants, researching the flowers and their symbolism, honoring its beauty and significance in both digital art and written word, and planning to cultivate the living flowers in my garden to come that I am able to truly celebrate it’s life.

Scroll to the bottom of this post to see my bouquet and the plants and flowers contained within it.

Bouquet Components

Here are the plants and flowers contained in my bouquet, their symbolism, and a little on my interpretation and hopes of the intentions behind their inclusion. Use the drop down arrows to read more.

  • Commonly know as the Peacock Orchid or Sword Lily. Orchids are slow growers, and are therefore associated with peace, serenity, hard-work and competence. They take dedication, effort, thoughtfulness and knowledge to grow. Due to their appearance, they symbolize elegance, luxury, fertility, rare/exotic beauty, and refinement. They are also symbolic of longevity and perfection. In Asian cultures, orchids are symbols of strength, endurance, good energy and luck. To gift an orchid signifies your dedication to the relationship.

  • Ammi Majus is also known as Bishop’s Flower or Laceflower. Similar in appearance to Queen Anne’s lace, the two are completely different species in the same family. Ammi flowers are pure white and don’t feature the dark central dot seen on Queen Anne’s lace flowers. Ammi is also more delicate and less invasive.

    Both Ammi Majus and Queen Anne’s lace are associated with beauty and used in the hopes of attracting love. They symbolizes a haven or sanctuary, as well as fantasy. When they go to seed, they resembles a birds nest, the perfect symbol of the sanctuary of a happy home.

  • Amaranth comes from Greek, meaning “un-withering” or “the never-fading,” alluding to the bushy flowers that are in color long after harvest. This flower symbolizes immortality, fidelity, never-fading feelings and everlasting friendship. Including this flower in its plume, drape or foliage form speaks to foppery and pretension.

    In the case of my bouquet, foppery and pretension were represented as the long, chartreuse plumes of green amaranth added a stunning “wow” factor, all with a flower that is often regarded as a common weed.

  • White Cupcake Cosmos & Classic White Cosmos

    In Greek, Cosmos means orderly, beautiful and ornamental. Due to the nature of their petals, Cosmos are known for order and harmony. They also symbolize innocent beauty, modesty, peace and universal love and are said to bring good luck. They say, “walk with me hand in hand,” and “see, life is indeed beautiful.”

  • Tops & Leaves

    Also known as foxtail grass or white foxtail. Grasses symbolize generosity, health, togetherness and interconnectivity. The symbolic meaning of grass speaks to us about roots, connection and foundation.

    The symbolic meaning of grass is also impacted by its green color. Green symbolizes health, wealth, well-being, generosity and abundance. It evokes connotations of fresh new growth, the promise new hope brings, the eternal nature of love, and the ability to share that love for the common good.

  • Commonly known as the Chinese hound’s tongue or Chinese forget-me-not. Forget-me-nots symbolize true and undying love, constancy, fidelity, memories, hope, remembrance, compassion, ever-lasting connection and loyalty through challenges.

    The blue color of this flower represents both sea and sky. Blue symbolizes faith, wisdom, loyalty, truth, trust and friendship. The color blue speaks to dreamers, making blue flowers the perfect gift to spark inspiration or enhance calm and tranquility. Deep blues, like those found at ocean depths, or on the sky’s horizon as a storm brews, speak to emotions, depths and expressive moods. Dark blue or indigo flowers are for those who do too much. They are for the people you love who never sit still, are always running and are always doing. These are the people who need indigo in their lives to keep them still so they can listen to their own souls and deep natures.

  • Dalmatian Peach Foxglove & Camelot Cream Foxglove

    Scientific name: Digitalis. Foxglove flowers feature prominently in both folklore and traditional medicine. They have long been associated with fairies and the little folk, and in flower magic they are used for the invocation of elves and earth elementals. Foxglove flowers symbolize creativity, energy, intuition, stateliness, youth and ambition. The gift of foxglove symbolizes the givers ambition for the recipient.

  • Gomphrena are commonly known as globe amaranths. They symbolize unfading eternal love and immortality, as they retain their shape and color long after they dry.

  • (the lacy, not poofy kind)

    Hydrangea symbolize devotion to a noble cause or love. They represent heartfelt emotions, gratitude, honesty and perseverance. Gifting hydrangeas can be used to express gratitude for feeling understood. Because hydrangea will change color when moved to different soil, they teach us that where we are planted matters.

  • White Lilies in bud

    Flowers in bud symbolize hope.

    Lilies are the flower of Juno, the Roman goddess of marriage, childbirth and fertility, as well as the sacred flower of the Virgin Mary. They symbolize purity, majesty, wealth, honor, humility, innocence, devotion, modesty, sweetness, loveliness, refined beauty, and rebirth.

    Lilies are perfect for new mothers, symbolic of fertility and nurturing.

    As a wedding flower, they are symbolic of unions, partnerships and long-lasting relationships.

    As a funeral flower, they are symbolic of faith, hope, peace, and life beyond the earthy realm.

  • Chartreuse Lisianthus

    Yellow Lisianthus symbolize joy and positive energy.

    White Lisianthus

    White Lisianthus symbolize purity, spirituality and a life-long bond.

    Commonly known as prairie gentian, Lisianthus flowers symbolize a life-long bond between two people, making them perfect for wedding flowers. In addition to symbolizing an everlasting bond, lisianthus flowers symbolize appreciation, charisma, charm, confidence, gratitude, and charm. They are the ideal gift for loved ones whom you think the world of.

  • Commonly known as the tobacco flower, in Native American tradition, tobacco smoke was used in special reverence, as a sign of hospitality, at the beginning of special rituals, and to mark alliances, contracts, sworn friendships, and the beginning of journeys or wars. Among the ancient Maya, Nicotiana was considered a sacred plant, viewed as primordial medicine and a powerful botanical “helper” or “protector.” Tobacco in all its forms is inherently valued and respected.

    Including it in a wedding bouquet offers protection for the marriage contract and marks the special significance of the occasion.

  • Sea oats are a valuable plant for coast line and barrier island protection. They are at the forefront of shoreline protection, and like grass, they symbolize generosity, health, togetherness, interconnectivity, well-being and abundance.

  • (in seed head form)

    Plants in seed head form represent hope, optimism, and wishes, just as new seeds represent new life with all its promises and potential.

    The ancient Greeks believed this herb was created by Aphrodite, the goddess of love, as a symbol of joy. Used for centuries in love potions, oregano is also used in spells for happiness, tranquility, good luck, good health, protection and to intensify love. It is best used for rituals celebrating joyful occasions, or in spells to bring joy into ones life. For this reason, it is commonly used in commitment ceremonies.

  • (in seed head form)

    Plants in seed head form represent hope, optimism, and wishes, just as new seeds represent new life with all its promises and potential.

    Commonly known as Beardtongues, Penstemon represents courage and spiritual knowledge, especially in risks of the heart. Symbolic of introspection, this flower is associated with the night sky, the moon, stars and goddess energy. It is thought to reflect the courage of the self to risk new things in a gentle and exploratory way, welcoming you to take risks of the heart with love and openness.

    The Penstemon seed heads are a dark maroon, purplish violet in color. Violet is both energizing and spiritual in nature, while considered the color of royalty and nobility in ancient symbolism. Connected to the divine, including purple or violet flowers signifies that the recipient is unique, special, and part of a perfect whole.

  • Commonly known as buttercups, Ranunculus flowers symbolize cheerfulness, neatness, humility, innocence, radiant charm, charisma, whimsy, and natural riches. Gifting Ranunculus flowers symbolizes that the recipient is believed to be radiant with charm and/or very attractive.

  • (harvested early in bud to look tropical/artichoke-esk)

    Due to its resemblance to the Sun, Sunflowers are associated with warmth, happiness, positivity and power. The strong and upright stem of the sunflower cause it to be associated with loyalty and a strong bond. Because of how the flower turns to follow the sun, it is associated with adoration, loyalty/dedication. It’s hardiness causes it to be associated with longevity. The sunflower is also associated with nourishment, due to its abundance of seeds.

    In the Victorian Flower Language the sunflower symbolized gratitude, while in Chinese culture is symbolizes good luck, pure happiness and joy.

    These flowers can also symbolize wealth and ambition. Including sunflowers can bring positive energy and help with confidence in leadership roles. It also offers a message of endurance and perseverance. Sunflowers are a symbol of joy, specifically the joy found through following our bliss. They show us the beauty of staying connected with all that nourishes and sustains us.

The wedding was Sunday, September 4, 2022 at the Seal Harbor Village Green, overlooking Seal Harbor Beach on Mount Desert Island, Maine.

The flowers were primarily sourced locally, in-season, except for a select few which were ordered through a local flower cultivator.

© Maine Seastone Studios, 2022

 

Source material:

Gottesman, Sarah. A Brief History of Flowers in Western Art. Artsy. 2017

Greenaway, Kate. Language of Flowers. 1884

Huss, Ephrat. Yosef, Kfir Bar. Zaccai, Michele. Humans’ Relationship to Flowers as an Example of the Multiple Components of Embodied Aesthetics. National Library of Medicine. 2018

Amber Howard
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