The Language of Flowers

I want to open this wedding newsletter by introducing myself, my name is Andrea, and I've taken over from Rachel as the wedding coordinator at Flowerbud. That means that if you have questions about your wedding flowers, I'm the person you'll want to call or email. I'm here all day Monday through Friday, so feel free to contact me any time.

And now, on to the newsletter! Inspired by a question I was asked the other day, I'm going to write about the meanings of some common wedding flowers this month. While most people are no longer aware of the coded implications of sending different types of flowers, it can be fun to know what they mean, and make your wedding bouquet seem even more special. After all, what could be more romantic than a secret message encoded into the bride's bouquet, one known only to the happy couple?

While there are a few flowers that have negative or unpleasant connotations (Rhododendrons, for example, mean "beware"), most wedding flowers have meanings that are simple and lovely, highly appropriate for such an important and happy occasion. Perhaps the most classic wedding flower of all, Roses have a variety of romantic meanings, ranging from purity (white) to passion (red), with happiness (pink) falling smack dab in the middle. A mix of red and white, appropriately enough, indicates unity.

Tulips, of course, have just as many meanings as colors, and again, red indicates a declaration of love. Yellow means almost the same thing, but even more so; to give a yellow tulip is to declare your love utterly and hopelessly. That hopelessness, though, is easily counteracted by a few stems of Iris, which send a message of hope and wisdom.

To keep the message light, stick with flowers that bloom in spring and summer, like Hyacinth (playfulness), Lisianthus (friendliness) Freesia (sweetness), Sunflowers (adoration), and Gerbera Daisies (cheer, purity, innocence). For a more traditional tone, try Daffodils (chivalry), Orchids (magnificence, beauty), Lilies (innocence, femininity), or Calla Lilies (ardor).

Everyone knows that white flowers mean purity (which is why they're so often used in weddings!), but remember that the other colors you choose mean something, too. Red, as mentioned many times above, means passion, desire, courage, and heat, while pink means grace, gentility, and happiness. Yellow and orange flowers evoke cheer, joy, and friendship, while purple flowers are an instant reminder of royalty and success. Though they're less common than the other colors, blue and green flowers do exist, and they connote peaceful serenity and youthful good fortune, respectively.

While the meanings of flowers may not help you choose which you'll use for your wedding (after all, there are people who just can't get enough of Rhododendrons!), I certainly hope it helps you look at your wedding flowers in a new light. If you have any questions, about this or anything to do with wedding flowers, I recommend checking out our Wedding Newsletter Archive, which I know I've found to be an invaluable resource. If that doesn't help, feel free to contact me directly. I'm always happy to hear from brides or grooms-to-be!

Thanks for reading, and have a great Summer!

Best Wishes,

Andrea Ashmore
andrea@flowerbud.com
Event Flower Specialist
Flowerbud.com