Flower Meanings and Symbolism : What Does Your Wedding Bouquet Say?

Are you fluent in the language of flowers? Learn the symbolism of your favorite wedding bouquet blooms. 

 

 

From hopeful daisies to gardenia’s confession of secret love, your wedding bouquet might be saying more than you know! 

 

Flowers have held symbolic meanings for centuries. In the Victorian era, flowers were used as language, to answer questions and pass messages that couldn’t be uttered allowed -- a type of secret code shared between lovers, friends, and even enemies. 

 

And although modern couples might not know that the delicate blossoms of butterfly weed mean “Let me go!” or that tansies are a declaration of war, nearly everyone agrees that a red rose is a striking message of love. 

 

The loud-and-clear message of a red rose shows us that the symbolism of flowers is still flourishing, and that many of us are more fluent in “flower” than we know. 

 

 

What does your wedding bouquet “say”? 

 

See our list below to learn the symbolism of these popular flower choices! 

 

 

 

 

Daisies have shown up in various mythologies -- Roman, Celtic, and Norse, among others-- 

over time, often symbolizing innocence, childhood, new beginnings, and hope. 

 

 

 

 

Amaryllis: determination, pride

 

Apple blossom: fertility, preference

 

Aster: love, faith

 

Begonia: caution, misgivings

 

Camellia: missing someone (pink), adoration (white)

 

Carnation: a mother’s love (white), deep love (red), rejection (yellow)

 

 

 

Asters bloom in late summer or early fall,

iris in spring or summer (depending on the variety),

and daffodils in late winter or early spring.

 

 

 

 

Daffodil: rebirth, deep love

 

Daisy: innocence, hope

 

Freesia: friendship, trust

 

Hyacinth: play, letting go of the past, constancy (blue)

 

Hydrangea: gratitude for being understood

 

Iris: wisdom

 

Marigold: personal strength, grief

 

 

 

Myrtle is native to the Mediterranean region and Middle East,

marigolds to subtropical America and Mexico, and most rose species are native to Asia,

with others originally found in North America and Africa. 

 

 

 

 

Myrtle: good luck and love in marriage

 

Peony: a happy life

 

Rose: love (red), happiness (pink), worthiness (white), friendship or jealousy (yellow)

 

Sunflower: adoration

 

Tulip: perfect love and passion (red), joy (yellow)

 

Violet: loyalty

 

Zinnia: blessings on old friends

 

 

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Try one of these sample wedding ceremony scripts with flowers! 

 

Or learn how to plan a ceremony and wedding that incorporates beautiful blooms: 

 

 

• Spring Equinox Flower Ceremony Script

 

• A Covid-safe Wedding Ceremony Script with Flowers and Light

 

• Pagan Handfasting Script with Fire, Flowers and Offerings

 

• Plan and Officiate a Spring Equinox Wedding with Community Flower Ceremony

 

• How to perform a Buddhist wedding & what guests can expect

 

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