Most brides today carry flowers because they are beautiful and it gives the nervous bride something to do with her hands. However, the carrying of flowers goes back as far as the beginning of marriage.  Rooted in superstition, it was thought bridal bouquets consisting of odoriferous herbs and garlands worn or carried would ward off demons and evil spirits. Variations of this superstition are found in many cultures throughout the world.

In India the bride and groom are sprinkled with flower petals to ward of evil. It is said that a Roman bride carried herbs such as rosemary in her veil to ward off evil spirits. In fact, the modern tradition of carrying flowers and herbs in the bridal bouquet stems from this Roman practice. With many cultures sharing their wedding traditions over the centuries, the primitive superstition of smelly garlands went by the wayside. Brides began to use flowers as a way to symbolize emotion, virtue of love and marriage transforming the tradition.

Flowers such as roses became symbols of love for western weddings. Herbs and flowers were mixed together as a symbolic gesture. Over the years, wedding traditions have been manipulated blending old tradition with contemporary ideals. Old Greek wedding traditions used ivy and ribbons; weaving them into crowns for the bride and groom to symbolize unity. This tradition of greenery and ribbons has been incorporated in many modern wedding bouquets. In fact, it is commonplace to see bridal bouquets with greenery and ribbons intertwined in the flowers.

Although wedding flowers are a long standing tradition, the use flowers has become more of a tradition of elegance than one of warding off demons. Thankfully the tradition changed and flowers are now used to decorate the wedding. The bride can now carry a bouquet for beauty and not as protection from evil spirits.

Ask The Wedding Guide: I am from Kentucky, and am getting married on Mexico Beach in June and am having trouble locating a florist to make the bouquets for my bridal party.  I need bouquets for 4 bridesmaids, 2 jr bridemaids, and 3 flower girls. I would like white daisies and hot pink gerbera daisies.  Greenery is ok but i hate babies breath, and I would like them tied with white ribbon.  I would like the bouquets to increase in sz from a small nosegay with 1 gerber and a few daisies for the flower girls, to 2 gerbers and more daisies for jrs, and 3 gerbers and more daisies for bridesmaids. I also need 2 corsages for our moms in the same flowers.  If anyone knows a good florist I would appreciate the help! Thanks Nicole

Guide's Reply:

If you are using a wedding package provider for the wedding ceremony and reception, contact them and ask them where you can get wedding flowers. They often work with other wedding vendors who provide the services that they don't.  If you are coordinating your own wedding, contact the hotel in Mexico where you will be staying and ask for the concierge desk or guest relations agent who can recommend  a local and reputable florist.  If you are not fluent in spanish, be sure to ask for an email address.  This way you can communicate via email and by using babelfish as a translator.  Babel fish isn't the best translator but it will help to get the point across.

Where are in Mexico are you getting married?  Someone who has been there might have a suggestion.

Congratulations and good luck.

Every week I read several wedding blogs, look at several wedding pictures and discuss a multitude of wedding ideas with anyone willing to talk to me. This week I came upon two unique wedding decoration ideas. Both of these decorations involved wedding flowers.

I love flowers, especially unique wedding flowers that give you a glimpse into the personality of the bride. I think that is why these two approaches caught my interest. The first came from a discussion I had with Scott Darhower, a florist from Tampa Florida (he owns Apple Blossoms Floral Design). Scott and I were discussing creative container ideas for floral arrangements when he mentioned vintage glass containers.

Wedding Flowers Using Decor From Past Generations
Not long ago, he created some lovely flower arrangements for one of his brides. Scott really pays attention to the personalities of the brides he works with. This bride was particularly fond of the her grandmother's antique china. In fact, she uses it often when entertaining.

So when time came for Scott to design floral arrangements for her cocktail reception, he knew exactly what the bride needed. He and the bride canvassed second-hand stores and flea markets until they found a few vintage glass pieces.

Scott then created soft romantic flower arrangements using the vintage glass and an array of creamy white flowers. Later the bride displayed these vintage glass pieces in her china cabinet along side her grandmothers antique china. What a fabulous idea! Using vintage or sentimental containers as part of your wedding flower decorations is a fantastic way to honor the romance of the past generations. The best part is you will forever have an elegant wedding keepsake.

***Just a little hint for grooms – take a piece of the vintage glass used in your wedding to your florist before your anniversary. Have the florist recreate your wedding flowers and deliver it to your wife.***

Pictures And Perfect Wedding Flowers

The second cool wedding flower decoration involved photos. No, not picture taking. Rather a display of pictures of the bride and groom. This awesome wedding decoration came from Markita Brewster, a Fort Campbell KY wedding consultant. She owns Beautiful Weddings On a Budget. At the wedding reception of one of her brides, the wedding flowers were arranged in a photo cube.

What a clever idea! The Casablanca lilies gave the photo cubes an elegant look and the photos were a great way for guests to recall memories of the bride and groom. You could even include pictures of the guests with the bride or groom and place them on the table where they will be seated. This is also a creative way to have a unique flower arrangement and still stay within your budget.

Now that I've shared my unique wedding flower decoration ideas, I hope you will share yours. I can't wait to see them.

I have always loved intimate weddings and wedding receptions, especially those where candles are used in the wedding and table decorations. Candles are very simple and inexpensive decorations which create, not only beautiful décor, but generate an atmosphere that no other resource can – the glow of romance. Magnificent wedding decorations can be effortlessly achieved by candles and flowers alone. There is nothing more beautiful than simplicity in my book and the combination of flowers and candles captures it perfectly.

Creating Simplistic Wedding Decorations With Flowers and Candles
Fresh greenery and candles create a natural air of romance ideal for wedding ceremonies and Read the rest of Glowing Wedding Decoration Ideas »

Flowers and ribbon are a very beautiful, yet very common decoration combination for wedding pews, alters and arches. Over the past few years, florists and wedding planners have started branching out with resources used for decorating the church for the wedding ceremony. Fresh flowers are the traditional foundation for wedding decorations; but unique ornamentation such as glittered spheres, real bay leaf garland, twigs and other unusual items can be used as well.

A trend that has been developing over the last few years is the “naturally glamorous" theme. This Read the rest of Naturally Glamorous Theme For Wedding Decorations »

Keeping Your Wedding Flower Memories Alive With Bouquet Preservation

Cherishing your bridal bouquet as a precious wedding keepsake? Many brides even enjoy using their bridal bouquet as an intricate part of an anniversary party centerpiece.

From showing off the fun colors of every flower to describing the detail of the how the beautiful bridal bouquet looked in your hands, each intricate detail becomes part of a story that bonds you to those you love the most. For the precious stories that you'll love to tell for years, flower preservationists will help keep your special wedding flowers and bridal bouquet as beautiful as the day that you said, "I do." Keep your wedding flowers vibrant down to the most intimate details with flower preservation.

Passing Along Your Wedding Gown To Beloved Daughters Thanks To Gown Preservation

Many mothers dream of passing down their wedding gown from mother to daughter, grandmother to granddaughter, and so on. Almost as special as wearing a special family member's wedding jewelry is allowing that wonderful person the opportunity to relive their happy day by watching you walk down the aisle at your wedding ceremony in their precious wedding gown. What a wonderful, delightful treasure to be able to place a respected woman in this position of honor. Passing your wedding gown on to your babies and grandbabies is a treat that should be cherished. Wedding gown preservation makes it possible.

With many wedding ceremony locations such as older churches, privatly owned chapels, backyard weddings and others, it may not always be appropriate or acceptable to attach wedding flowers to the end of an aisle as  pew decorations. Other times it may be perfectly fine but the modern bride longs for something trendy and extraordinary. A fun wedding flowers idea for any ceremony just happens to meet both needs–pew buckets! The classic, clean appearance is perfect for a contemporary wedding while the look of aisle decorations is a gorgeous toast to traditional wedding decorations.

Pew buckets are quick and easy to make. Read the rest of Pew Buckets: A Fun Idea For Wedding Flowers »

When it comes to Chinese wedding flowers tradition: white is out – red is in!

Why is it bad etiquette for a Chinese bride to use white flowers in her bouquet? White flowers in Chinese Read the rest of Chinese Wedding Flower Traditions »

Don't wait until the last minute to consult a florist about your wedding flowers. Read the rest of When And How To Plan Wedding Flowers »