The Most Popular Wedding Flower Types and the Symbolism Behind Them

"Flowers never die in the garden of love," said Nitya Prakash.

One of the most important decisions you will make for your wedding day is the flowers you choose. However, flowers are more than just pretty. Each flower in your bridal bouquet can convey meaning and has a tale to tell.

You may create a special message and share your narrative on the most significant day of your life by paying attention to these little details. To make a genuinely meaningful bridal bouquet, read more about the most common kinds of wedding flowers and their meanings below.

History of Wedding Flower Meanings

Flowers and flora have symbolic importance in cultures worldwide. However, much of our contemporary floral terminology originates from the Victorian era.

Flowers were used to convey love and covert signals between potential suitors in the middle of the 1800s. For instance, you may give your crush a calla lily to represent beauty or a gardenia to convey your secret love.

If you received one, you might express your genuine thoughts by sending a flower in return. You may send a hydrangea blossom to show contempt or fennel to show flattery. Emojis are said to be complex.

Lorem Ipsum is merely fictitious text used in the typesetting and printing industries. Since an unidentified printer jumbled a galley of type to create a type specimen book in the 1500s, Lorem Ipsum has been the industry standard sham text.

Tip: Flowers can also have different cultural and historical connotations. For example, the Japanese equate hydrangea blossoms with feelings of thankfulness, whereas Victorians see them as signs of apathy.

What are traditional flowers in a wedding bouquet?

Roses

Since love is the most common wedding theme, roses are a classic choice for bridal bouquets. This meaning has persisted since the Victorian era and continues to do so now.

As we've already covered, the color of your flowers can provide subtlety in the precise message; for example, red roses symbolize passionate love, while white roses symbolize pure affection. The overall connotation may also vary depending on the roses' stage of life.

Roses in full bloom might symbolize a love already in full swing, while a rosebud can symbolize a new future on the horizon. To represent your joy in the here and now and your future aspirations, try combining them into a bouquet!

Peonies

Beautiful springtime flowers like peonies can help you celebrate a bright future. In the late 19th century, peonies symbolized shyness or timidity and were perfect for a blushing bride. However, as with many flowers, the peony's cultural significance can differ.

Peonies are known by a variety of names in China, such as "king of the flowers," "the most beautiful," and "flower of riches and honor." Accordingly, a peony bridal bouquet might represent wealth, luck, and prosperity. Because of this, peonies make an incredible bouquet to represent your aspirations for your future with your significant other.

Dahlias

Dahlias are a beautiful flower that blooms in the fall and comes in a wide range of natural colors.

Victorians regarded dahlias as the flower that personified dignity. Dahlias can also stand for grace or inner strength under duress, and this association is still prevalent today. Therefore, including a few dahlias in your bouquet may help you find inner peace or reassurance if you're experiencing pre-wedding anxiety.

Dahlias are a popular choice for fall wedding ceremonies since they may symbolize dedication and loyalty in more contemporary times.

Orchids

Orchids are perfect for cascading bouquets because of their flowing, waterfall-like flowering pattern.

Orchids were seen as symbols of luxury and refined beauty by Victorians, who favored imported kinds. Even across cultural boundaries, they are associated with elegance. Orchids cultivated by the Japanese monarchy in the 17th century are still strongly linked to good fortune today.

Orchids were also regarded as masculine emblems by the ancient Greeks, which makes them a delicate addition to a groom's boutonniere.

Ranunculus 

Buttercups, or ranunculus, are colorful flowers that grow best in milder climates like spring and fall. Their range of hues allows them to stand out in an infinite number of wedding color schemes.

During the Victorian era, ranunculus was a joint gift between lovers since they represented charm, brilliance, and desire. A bouquet of ranunculus blossoms could convey your feelings to someone you've had a crush on.

The layers of lovely petals stacked on top of each other in ranunculus blossoms can also symbolize the intensity of your feelings for your fiancé.

Gardenia

Gardenias are soft, delicate flowers that mostly bloom in the spring and summer when romance is at its height.

During the Victorian era, gardenias were considered a sign of sophistication and beauty. They also represent a hidden affection when presented as a gift. (Outrageous!) Therefore, gardenias can be a helpful reminder of secrets shared only between you and your partner if you choose to include them in your bridal bouquet.

Calla Lily

In the United States, calla lilies are beautiful, trumpet-shaped blooms that bloom year-round.

The Greek word calla, which means "beautiful," is the source of the name for calla lilies, which are connected to the goddess Hera. The Victorians saw flowers as a sign of modesty. However, because calla lilies bloom around Easter, they are now frequently connected to resurrection, metamorphosis, and new life.

Calla lilies symbolize trust or your new life with your spouse when used in your wedding bouquet.

Hydrangea

In the summer, hydrangeas bloom on bushes. The spherical shape of the blossoms might make them look like snowballs, which is how they got their moniker, "snowball bushes."

Victorians disliked hydrangeas, which they connected to arrogant people. However, hydrangeas can represent thankfulness in Japan. Because the petals might mimic a beating heart, Japanese florists use them in bouquets to symbolize real feelings.

When hydrangeas are included in your bridal bouquet, you can express your sincere appreciation for having your fiancé in your life.

Baby's breath

Tiny and delicate, baby's breath flowers are frequently used as filler flowers in bridal bouquets. It is easy to understand why when you consider this flower's meaning.

Baby's breath symbolized unwavering love and devotion during the Victorian era. Queen Victoria used baby breath in her wedding bouquet when she married Prince Albert. They are, therefore, appropriate for a royal wedding.

Additionally, because of their delicate flowers and white petals, a baby's breath can symbolize innocence and a fresh start.

Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemums are beautiful, spherical flowers associated with the start of autumn since they blossom in the fall.

In Victorian times, chrysanthemums might symbolize honesty or love, depending on their hue. However, they can now also symbolize friendship and happiness. If you include chrysanthemum flowers in your bouquet, your partner may be your best friend.

Anthurium

Anthurium is a distinctive tropical flower despite its initial leaf-like appearance.

Because of its heart-shaped form, anthurium is perfect for a bridal bouquet that symbolizes love. It can also stand for sentiments of joy, warmth, and plenty, though. Therefore, this flower might symbolize your wish to show hospitality to your partner and guests when you experience the blessings of love on your wedding day.

Sunflower

Tall, lovely, and intelligent, the sunflower is one of the most unusual flowers to include in your bridal bouquet. In the summer and fall, it may add sunshine to your wedding procession.

Sunflowers are considered lucky and happy in China. During the Victorian era, dwarf sunflowers were another way to show admiration for a potential mate. Therefore, carrying a bouquet of sunflowers might be interpreted as a declaration that your fiancé is your sunshine.

Wedding flower color meanings

The color of a flower may also add subtlety or change the overall impression. For instance, crimson might represent romance, whereas white is typically associated with purity.

While specific color meanings from the Victorian era have changed, many remain today. While yellow was once thought to be a sign of envy, it is now frequently connected to joy and happiness, much like bright yellow sunflowers.

Below are some of the most common flower colors and the feelings they evoke.

• Red: Love, longing, warmth, and power.
• Orange: inventiveness. Zeal. Vibrancy.
• Yellow: Joy. Joyfulness. Optimism.
• Blue: Calm. Calm. Trust.
• Green: Harmony, growth, renewal, and balance. 
• Purple: Spirituality, luxury, creativity, and magic. 
• Pink: Magic, luxury, creativity, and spirituality.
• Brown: Earthiness. Comfort and stability.
• Black: Mysterious. Strength, intrigue, and elegance.
• White: purity. Innocence. Clarity. Simplicity.

Bouquet shape meanings

And don'tremember the shape! Your bouquet's floral arrangement could also tie the whole thing together. The following bouquet shapes could give you an idea of the feelings you can arouse.

• Rounded: Timelessness, elegance, and unity.
• Cascading: timeless, elegant, and cohesive.
• Free-form: inventiveness. Uniqueness. Beauty is found in nature.

How many types of wedding flowers should be in a bouquet?

There are no strict guidelines about how many different kinds of flowers should be used in a bridal bouquet. The size of your bouquet and the overall look you want to achieve will determine this.

However, most bouquets typically contain three to five primary flower varieties along with a few accent flowers and accessories. Let's examine how these flowers may complement one another in a bouquet to acquire a deeper significance.

Flower meanings put together.

A clear vision of love

This traditional cascading bridal bouquet combines several flower varieties to express many lovely emotions.

The white roses symbolize unadulterated love, the calla lilies' beauty, and the peony's good fortune. Accents of baby's breath also contribute to the general concept of any bridal bouquet: unwavering loyalty.

The white color scheme makes the bouquet feel clean, bright, and innocent. It also goes well with your dress!

A poetic arrangement

A trio of flowers—dahlias for elegance and dignity, roses for romance, and cream-colored lilac for innocence—combine to create a poetic statement in this autumn-inspired bridal bouquet.

The combination of orange and red contributes to the expression of warmth, passion, and inventiveness. It's an excellent choice for a blushing bride organizing a fall wedding, especially when wrapped with a burnt orange ribbon.

A serene statement

This rounded bridal bouquet, which leans toward a more fantastic color scheme, includes peonies for luck and luxury, gardenias for sophisticated elegance, and roses for love.

Like a serene sea or a calm blue lake, the navy and dusty blue color palette conveys elegance and tranquility. It could help you communicate how easily you are with your spouse as you walk down the aisle, paving the way for a seamless wedding day.

A regal romance

This unusual bridal bouquet uses orchids to create a flowing pattern and convey an opulent feeling. Lavender gardenias also exude subtle elegance, and roses provide romance.

The purple color scheme emphasizes royal sensations, making you feel like a princess at your royal wedding.

An earthy expression

Some of our favorite unusual flowers come together in this cascading bouquet to make a romantic statement.

Naturally, roses are a symbol of love. The burnt orange Anthuriums symbolize plenty, and the hydrangea petals express thankfulness. These flowers are ideal for expressing joy and gratitude as you go down the aisle because of their earthy brown color scheme, which gives off a cozy vibe.

Embrace your favorite flower types.

As you can see, the flowers you choose can give your bouquet a more profound meaning on one of the most joyous days of your life. However, including a flower in your bouquet doesn't have to follow its traditional significance.

For you and your lover, a particular flower may mean something entirely different from what it means to others. Perhaps you planted calla lilies in the windowbox of your first apartment, or you planted your first kiss in front of a blooming hydrangea bush in the park. Or perhaps you find roses to be lovely!

You can include any flower in your bouquet if it has a special meaning and brings you joy.

Where to find different types of wedding flowers for a bouquet

Are you prepared to discover wedding flowers that are particularly important to you? Flowersarch will make it simple for you to locate the bridal bouquet of your dreams.

To help you convey your love story, we provide pre-arranged bridal bouquets in meaningful forms, shapes, and designer color palettes.

All of our arrangements use fake flowers that never wilt or fade. Therefore, you can enjoy your flowers long after the wedding bells have stopped ringing and don't have to worry about what's in season. Additionally, you can combine our designer flower boxes and do-it-yourself kits to create a completely original bridal bouquet if none of our prepared selections appeal to you.