In the 1800s, flowers were a way to say what you couldn’t say out loud. Victorian flower dictionaries gave nearly every bloom a meaning, and a lot of wedding traditions come from that: myrtle in royal bouquets, orange blossom in bridal crowns, ivy for fidelity.
You don’t need to follow it. But choosing a few flowers for what they mean gives a bouquet a story, and guests love reading it.
30 wedding flowers and what they mean
| Flower | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Red rose | Love and passion |
| White rose | Purity and new beginnings |
| Pink rose | Gratitude and admiration |
| Peony | A happy marriage and good fortune |
| Ranunculus | Radiant charm |
| Lily of the valley | The return of happiness |
| Calla lily | Magnificent beauty |
| Orchid | Love, luxury and beauty |
| Hydrangea | Heartfelt emotion and gratitude |
| Tulip | Perfect love |
| Sweet pea | Blissful pleasure and thank you |
| Lisianthus | Appreciation |
| Gardenia | Joy and secret love |
| Baby's breath | Everlasting love |
| Eucalyptus | Protection and healing |
| Anemone | Anticipation |
| Dahlia | Commitment and a lasting bond |
| White carnation | Pure love and good luck |
| Freesia | Trust and friendship |
| Stephanotis | Happiness in marriage |
| Myrtle | Love and marriage |
| Ivy | Fidelity and wedded love |
| Forget-me-not | True love and remembrance |
| Lavender | Devotion |
| Sunflower | Adoration and loyalty |
| Daisy | Innocence and loyal love |
| Camellia | Admiration and perfection |
| Orange blossom | Eternal love and fruitfulness |
| Rosemary | Remembrance |
| Jasmine | Grace and amiability |
Meanings vary a little between sources, and colour changes the message: a red rose and a yellow rose don’t say the same thing.
Ideas for using flower meanings
- A small card beside the bouquet explaining each flower.
- Name each table after a flower and put its meaning on the table number.
- Give each bridesmaid a bouquet led by a flower that suits her.
- Tuck a sprig of rosemary (remembrance) into a buttonhole for someone who has passed.
From the shop
Flower Meaning Cards
30 printable meaning cards, plus a maker that turns the flowers in your bouquet into a card that says what they mean.
Want just the list? Get the free wedding flower meanings chart.
