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WANDERIE FLORAL STUDIO BLOG

The Victorian Language of Flowers: Adding Meaning to Your Wedding Bouquet

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In the 19th century, flowers were more than just a beautiful addition to gardens or décor; they were a secret code for expressing feelings and sentiments that words often left unsaid. This “language of flowers,” or floriography, gained popularity during the Victorian era, when strict social norms limited verbal expressions of emotion. Each bloom carried a specific meaning, allowing bouquets to become heartfelt messages crafted with care.

Today, the Victorian language of flowers offers a romantic way to weave symbolism into your wedding day, making your bouquet a deeply personal statement. At Wanderie, we’ve always been a little secretly obsessed with floriography. Susanne used the language of flowers when crafting her own bridal bouquet and loves to use it for current brides.

Pictured is Susanne’s bridal bouquet (before she was even a florist!) featuring: Eucalyptus is a symbol of strength, protection, and abundance. Zinnias are a symbol of friendship and lasting affection. Peach roses symbolize thankfulness and sincerity; this specific variety is called Carpe Diem, which was also special for the day. Billy Balls symbolize joy, optimism, and good health. Veronica symbolizes fidelity and devotion.

Let’s explore the rich meanings behind some popular blooms and how they can enhance your special day:

Meaningful Flowers for a Bride’s Bouquet

Roses

  • Meaning: Love and passion (red), purity and innocence (white), gratitude (pink), and friendship (yellow).
  • Why Include Them: Roses are timeless, and their variety of meanings allows brides to convey layers of emotion. For instance, combining white and pink roses can symbolize pure love and gratitude for a partner.
Quicksand Rose
Peony
Hydrangea

Peonies

  • Meaning: Romance, prosperity, and a happy marriage
  • Why Include Them: With their lush, full blooms, peonies are not only breathtaking but also carry a wish for a joyful and prosperous union.

Rosemary

  • Meaning: Remembrance
  • Why Include Them: Not only do they make your bouquet smell divine, they can symbolize a missing loved one while you keep them close to you during the most important day of your life.
Tulip
Rosemary

Lavender

  • Meaning: Devotion and serenity
  • Why Include Them: Known for their calming scent, sprigs of lavender can add a touch of elegance and texture to your bouquet while symbolizing the peace and commitment you bring into your marriage.

Blue Delphinium

  • Meaning: Positivity and grace
  • Why Include Them: Delphiniums bring a unique touch of height and texture to a bouquet, while their meaning of positivity resonates beautifully with the hope and excitement of a wedding day.
Pear & Grace Photography

Hydrangeas

  • Meaning: Gratitude, grace, and heartfelt emotions
  • Why Include Them: These voluminous blooms are perfect for making a statement while expressing deep appreciation for your partner and loved ones.

Ranunculus

  • Meaning: Charm and attraction
  • Why Include Them: Ranunculus blooms are a gorgeous choice for brides looking to add layers of texture and vibrant colors, while also symbolizing the captivating allure of love.
Delphinium
Ranunculus
Lavender

Tulips

  • Meaning: Passion and Love
  • Why Include Them: Adding tulips to your bouquet or arrangements can add a class garden feel.

Designing a Bouquet with Meaning

To incorporate the language of flowers into your bouquet, consider the emotions or messages you want to highlight. Are you celebrating eternal love and fidelity? Include ivy and white roses. Looking for romance and prosperity? Combine peonies and pink ranunculus.

Collaborating with your florist to design a bouquet steeped in symbolism will create a personal, meaningful addition to your wedding day. Not only will the blooms look stunning, but they’ll also tell a story unique to your love.

Snaps with Joy

Let the Victorian language of flowers inspire your choices and add a timeless layer of beauty and meaning to your celebration. For extra credit, consider readying The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh .. one of our faves!

xoxo, Susanne

Vendor Shoutouts!

Cover photo and first photo by Rkm photography of Elizabeth Martin

Bouquet with veil by Pear and Grace Photography

Last photo by Snaps with Joy of Kimberly Salmon

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"My husband and I got married in November 2022 and had the pleasure of working with Susanne. She was amazing! Selecting florals was something I was nervous about due to my lack of knowledge and inability to visualize design. Initially I felt overwhelmed, however that feeling quickly went away after speaking with Susanne. She was very helpful and provided so much guidance. She even invited me along to a few of her favorite flower markets to get a feel for what I liked. This was really helpful and eased my mind. On the day of the wedding, she showed up early to make sure everything was in place and I was blown away. The florals were so much better than I ever imagined! She managed to put together all of the flowers I liked (but thought would look so random together) in a way that was absolutely stunning!"
- KAILA V
"Booking with Susanne was by far the BEST decision we made for our wedding. The florals she provided were something out of a fairytale. I was especially impressed by her creative vision. I gave her just a few details to work off of (our invite, the colors the bridal party wore) and with that she created bouquets, etc. that were somehow exactly what I was imagining. On top of that, she was very flexible while working with us. We decided about a week beforehand that we wanted to make a few changes and it was no issue. Susanne's work is truly exquisite. And her professionalism was top-tier. BOOK HER! You will not regret it. Thank you, Susanne!"
- CHRISTINA J
"I don’t even know where to start. Susanne went above and beyond my expectations. From beginning to end the process was easy, personable and fun. Caroline was amazing in the beginning helping me get my vision on paper. Hours of talking, texting and emailing with her to get everything I wanted to make our wedding perfect. Once we had the details down, Susanne took me to look at flowers in person and we had a blast! Picking the flowers and colors and even then I couldn’t have pictured the perfection I ended up with. The day of, the first eyes I laid on the flowers and I gasped. They were beyond perfect. The florals were one of the most important parts of the wedding for me and I couldn’t be more grateful to Stones Throw for making them a dream come true!"
- SAMANTHA H
"Florals are always top tier and the owner is a true artist, kind hearted and a visionary!"
- KIM H
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