I have to say this is my favourite time for the year for flowers. Spring provides us with the most fragrant of flowers, daffodils, fressia’s, early cheer and stock. Those divine fragrances create glimse of joy in these cold grey days. Spring also provides the prettiest of seasonal flowers, ranuculus, poppies and tulips all so very cute. The magnolia trees are in full bloom, so beautiful with their huge petals. But out of this huge selection of flowers, the one I love the most is the cymbidium orchid, my favourite is the deep plum and pink ones. When Blair and I were married the date hinged on the availability of the cymdidium orchids as flowers are so important to me and I had to have them. Katie, my sister created a gorgeous trailing bouquet of orchids, freesia’s, jasmine and my favourite greenery maiden hair fern. As you can see I love old fashion flowers and greenery. Like carnations and gypsophia, cybidium orchids have a bad reputation and are often thought as nana flowers. But don’t be too quick to judge, these flowers can look amazing in your wedding bouquet with the help of a very talented florist. All the florists I know are not only super talented and hard working but also hugely passionate about their work. Florists have to be not only creative but also have to have an extensive knowledge of the flower season and how to care for them. So make sure to allow time to find a great florist who will work with you to create the perfect bouquet for you dress, they are a wealth of valuable information so don’t be afraid to ask questions.

For centuries, flowers have stood for a variety of emotions and values. In ancient marriages, the brides carried herbs beneath their veils to symbolize fidelity. Greek brides carried ivy as a symbol of never-ending love. Orange blossoms, (the world renowned wedding flower) were chosen by the Spaniards to represent happiness and fulfillment, because the orange tree flowers and bears fruit at the same time. During even earlier times of “primitive marriage,” when the fear of demons was most prevalent, the brides carried stinking garlands of herbs and spices for the purpose of frightening off evil spirits. Thank goodness we are past that stage.
The recent royal wedding also followed tradition with flowers, Kate Middleton selected all English garden flowers with lovely meanings. The signature lily of the valley means “trustworthy”, myrtle “hope and love”, lilac is for “youthful innocence”. So why not select your flowers for not only their beauty but their meaning as-well.

Here are a few of the more popular flowers and meanings;

Roses; passion (different colours have different meanings
Sweetpea- delicate pleasures and departure
Magnolia- dignity
Tulip red- declaration of love
Ranunculas- you are radiant with charms
Orchid – delicate beauty
Freesia – spirited
Hyacinth- sincerity
Hydrangea- perseverance
Jasmine- grace and elegance
Calla Lilly- regal

Many brides I speak to don’t have a favourite flower or have little knowledge of flowers and their names. Why not make your wedding your time to meet your favourite flower? Take the time you learn about flowers and find your new favourite. You could select it on scent, colour or meaning. Your wedding bouquet needs to compliment your dress and style and most of all you need to love it. You and your new favourite flower have a long and happy future to look forward too! Don’t forget you now have wedding anniversaries to look forward to you and what would be nicer than a big bouquet of your favourite wedding flower!