The royal wedding was a perfect example of using The Language of Flowers, a floral code made popular by Queen Victoria, to bring special meaning to the occasion.
All of the flowers were chosen by Catherine Middleton with reference to what the various flowers symbolized. So the signature lily of the valley means "trustworthy", myrtle "hope and love", hyacinth "play", sweet William "gallantry", lilac for "youthful innocence", hornbeams "resilience", and field maples "humility and reserve".
I think all brides' bouquets and grooms' boutonnieres should have some symbolic meaning to the couple. Some examples of how this has been used for wedding flowers at The Lily Pond:
- Sprigs of rosemary in a bride's bouquet were used to symbolize remembrance, fidelity, devotion and good luck.
- Star of Bethlehem to represent Christ's presence in the season of Christmas and in the religious wedding ceremony itself.
- One bride's bouquet had a tiny ladybug in remembrance of the bride's departed mother, who loved ladybugs.
- Blue thistle to symbolize Scotland, as well as Bells of Ireland to celebrate Irish heritage
- The Lily Pond also usually tries to extend whatever the bride has in her bouquet to her father's boutonniere and mother's nosegay to symbolize their special bond.
It is a long list of beautiful things you can do to create meaning in your wedding flowers!
