Selecting Flowers

Image Courtesy of: Marisa Dombroski, Designer of this Bouquet, Event Coordinator and Make-up Artist. Email: Marisaofthesea@aol.com

Time to smell the roses...

Spring has sprung! What flowers should you include in your wedding or elopement? It is said
that in the Victorian era, certain flowers had specific meanings. In a time when variety was limited and conversations few, people used flowers to symbolize feelings. We selected a few from the list generated by the Society of American Florists, to provide you with some historic meaning.

Often used in bridal bouquets is Baby's Breath, which is said to mean: Festivity. Lilies are a popular choice and different species have different meanings. The Calla means: Regal, the Casablanca: Celebration, and the Stargazer: Ambition. Hydrangea is an up and coming frequently selected choice and means: Perseverance, fitting for forming a lifelong union. Roses, as we all know, are the most popular choice and its meanings are based on color. Red roses represent: Passionate Love, White: Purity, and a combination of the both: Unity. According to this list, Pink equals: Friendship and Yellow: Zealous. I found this interesting because I had always heard that yellow was the friendship color and Pink, platonic love? I guess whatever your choice, they would still be appropriate.

Going through the list I picked out a few, I thought would be interesting choices based on their meanings. The Freesia means: Spirited, the Gardenia: Joy, and Lilac: First Love - all lovely and fragrant choices. Orchids are a regularly purchased houseplant, but look beautiful mixed into a bouquet and symbolize: Delicate Beauty. Three choices that also look nice in a mix are Hyacinth indicating: Sincerity, the Aster: Contentment, and Daisies: Innocence.

A marriage scheduled for the Spring might need a simple bouquet of Tulips. Much like roses their meanings are based on their color. Red Tulips are a: Declaration of Love, White: Forgiveness, Yellow: Hopelessly in Love, and Violet means: Faithfulness. Daffodils are also a nice touch and symbolize: Chivalry.

If you are considering a summer or fall event, the Sunflower represents: Adoration. If a winter is more your ideal time, mix some Holly into your bouquet. It is said to symbolize domestic happiness, and any marriage could use that! For more information about florists in the area or what we can do to help make recommendations, please call: (707) 963-9294.

Image Courtesy of: Google Images