Wedding Flower Meanings
Legend has it that wedding flower meanings were given as early as during the Roman times. Historians found that they were used as a method to communicate; with different types having various significances. It’s not hard to imagine everyone’s love of nature's blooms would then cascade into significance by various type and color.
When planning for your wedding, you may find the following list useful when you visit the florist or begin searching for types and prices to arrange your own. I have put together a printable list that you may take with you.The significance listed is an effort of combined sources of research to obtain the most accurate listing.
Don’t take total stock in this significance, rather you should concentrate on what is your favorite, even if it doesn’t have the significance you had hoped for. Conversely, don’t pick a type just because it means love. All bloom types are beautiful and each and everyone spectacular, if you just take the time to look at them closely. Of course roses have been a favorite of brides for many generations, but that doesn’t mean you have to have roses if you find them too expensive for your budget. Choose because they generate an emotion of excitement, beauty, or fit your theme, not just because of their meaning.
I have also added some greenery types that have significance as well.
See if your favorites mean what you thought they meant!
I have grouped them by their significance, rather then by their type. Often times if a bride is looking for a something particular , you will find several in the same category as well as some have more than one meaning.
Blooms/Greenery |
Significance |
Blooms/Greenery |
Significance |
Love |
Innocent/Pure |
||
Orange Blossom |
Eternal Love |
Rosebud |
|
Orchid |
Carnation-white |
||
Myrtle |
Daisy |
Romance |
|
Ivy |
Wedded love |
Forsythia |
Good nature |
Gloxinia |
Love at first sight |
Freesia |
|
Gardenia |
Sweet love |
Lilac-white |
Modesty |
Daisy |
Orange Blossom |
||
Daffodil |
Rose-white |
||
Tulip |
Water Lily |
||
Rose–all colors |
Gardenia |
Trust |
|
Red Rose |
Longi Lily |
||
Forget-me-not |
Faithful love |
||
Chrysanthemum-Red |
Fidelity/Faithful |
||
Carnation - white |
Veronica |
||
Violet |
|||
Marriage |
Wallflower |
||
Stephanotis |
(happiness in marriage), |
Daisy |
|
Iris |
Wedded love |
Iris |
|
Orange Blossom |
|||
Peony |
Happy marriage |
Cheerfulness/Joy |
|
Phlox |
Our souls united |
||
Chrysanthemum |
|||
Beauty/Lovely |
Crocus |
||
Rosebud |
Poinsettia |
||
Gardenia |
Rose - yellow |
Joy |
|
Hibiscus |
Delicate beauty |
||
Hyacinth - white |
Grace/Gracious |
||
Lily (Cala) |
|||
Oleander |
Snapdragon |
||
Orchid |
Gladiolus |
Natural grace |
|
Stock |
You will always be beautiful to me |
Oleander |
|
|
Rose - Pink |
||
Flower/Greenery |
Meaning |
Flower/Greenery |
Meaning |
Miscellaneous |
|
|
|
Statice |
Remembrance |
|
|
Sunflower |
Adoration, Pride |
|
|
Sweet Pea |
Blissful Pleasure |
|
|
Sweet William |
Gallantry |
|
|
Verbena |
Will you get your wishes |
|
|
Viscaria |
Dance with me |
|
|
Wisteria |
Eternity, immortality |
|
|
Zinnia-magenta |
Lasting affection |
|
|
Zinnia-white |
Goodness |
|
|
Dahlia |
Dignity Elegance |
|
|
Delphinium |
Arden attachment |
|
|
Fern |
Fascination, sincerity, magic |
|
|
Heather |
Admiration |
|
|
Heather-white |
Admiration |
|
|
Holly |
Domestic happiness |
|
|
Hydrangea |
Thank you for understanding |
|
|
Jonquil |
Desire |
|
|
Mimosa |
Sensitivity |
|
|
Moss |
Charity, maternal love |
|
|
Narcissus |
Stay as sweet as you are |
|
|
Pansy |
Merriment |
|
|
Pine |
Hope |
|
|
Primrose |
Can’t live without you |
|
|
Ranunculus |
Radiant, charming |
|
|
Rose-Peach |
Desire |
|
|
This is by no means a complete list. I have left blanks if you wish to write in others that you may be considering and I have not listed. If you find some and their significance, let me know and I am happy to add it.
If you would like a .pdf printable file of the list above - Wedding flower list