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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. The most
popular flowers with their traditional meanings can be found here. |
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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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