The Wedding Flower Bouquet

White Roses Sugar Flower bouquet

Since ancient times brides have traditionally carried or worn a bouquet when they got married.

But do you know where this idea comes from?

The origin of the bouquet has always had special meaning and varied from area and culture. Originally, each flower, herb or spice had special symbolic meaning such as the rose in medieval fifteenth century Europe. The rose was seen (and still is seen) as a symbol of loyalty, purity and love.  Some cultures carried strong smelling herbs, flowers and spices to ward off evil spirits. In ancient Greece and Rome it was common for both the bride and groom to wear a garland around their necks rather than carry a bouquet, this represented new life and fertility. The tradition of carrying a bouquet is seen today and choosing flowers for a wedding is as important as the cake and rings.

The Language of the Flowers

Floriography or language of the flowers is communication through flowers. Each flower has a message or meaning. Its roots started in Ottoman Turkey during the 17^th century which may have been because of the obsession that Constantinople had with tulips. During this time tulips defined nobility and privilege and this time period was even called the Tulip Period.  Lovers began using flowers as their communication with their underlying messages and meanings.

The Victorians took this to the next level and books were written about the language of flowers. When Queen Victoria married Prince Albert in 1840 she had the spices and herbs in her bouquet she was carrying replaced with fresh flowers. Marigolds and edible flowers were used along with dill (dill was seen as an herb representing lust and increase sexual desire). Victorians used flower symbolism to say what they wanted to but decorum wouldn’t allow.

Over time and between geographical areas the meanings and language of flowers have changed or got skewed. Marigolds for example were named after the Virgin Mary where the name Mary’s Gold came from and represented affection. Today it is the flower of the Day of the Dead celebrated in Mexico and is said to represent grief.

Kate Middleton’s bouquet was small and beautiful and almost entirely made of Lily of the Valley. It was seen as tasteful and appropriate since Lily of the Valley is a bountiful and popular flower in Britain.

Today many brides choose their flowers based on their colours and shapes or flowers that suit their personality and style.

Sugar flowers or gum paste bouquets is a fairly new concept to the old tradition. Beautiful sugar flowers are very real looking and last a very long time. Scent can be added to rose sugar flowers to make them smell real.

Each sugar flower is handmade and is a work of art. Time and attention go into each petal and leaf to make the perfect flower. Painting is carefully done to make each flower look as lifelike as possible.

I love working on bride's bouquets and  wedding flowers. Each flower is made to represent your style, desire and whatever secret message you want to send.

We work within your budget and make sure you and your guests love your flowers. So whatever flower you choose either because of it's meaning or whether you just love a look or colour, we can help.

Visit our beautiful arrangements at www.christinascakecreations.ca.