Bridal Flowers
Flowers were incorporated into the ceremony because they represent fertility, purity, new life and never ending love. Traditionally, bouquets were a mixture of flowers and herbs. Dill was a very popular choice as an herb because it was believed to promote desire. Following the ceremony, the dill was eaten for that purpose.

The Bride's Bouquet

The bride's bouquet carries many quaint traditions among the different peoples of the world. Orange blossoms, a favorite of many brides, were at one time, when the Saracens carried them, thought to be a symbol of fertility.

The carrying of flowers by the bride has its roots in ancient times when it was believed that strong smelling herbs and spices would ward off and drive away evil spirits, bad luck and ill health. Garlic and chives were also popular for the same reason. During Roman times, this tradition was extended, with the bride and groom wearing floral garlands signifying new life and hope for fertility. The bouquet in particular symbolized a women in bloom.

During Victorian times, flowers took on an additional significance as lovers would send messages to each other using different flowers, with each flower having its own meaning. These associations were soon adopted for the bride's bouquet and are still used today by many brides.

Traditionally, the bride's bouquet is made of white flowers such as orchids, roses, lilies, gardenias, carnations, or stephanotis. Included in the bouquet are fillers like ferns and baby's breath or ivy to give that touch of green.

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