When you make a purchase through our links, we may earn commissions from selected online retailers. Learn more about our affiliate policy.

Wedding Flowers & Their Meanings

The ultimate guide to wedding flowers and their meanings

 

Ever wondered why celebrities and some brides are very specific about what flowers they choose for their wedding? It might partially be because of how the colors of the flowers fit into their color scheme and wedding style, but also because flowers have special meanings. I don’t mean the sentimental kind, you know, like how someone loves yellow roses because it reminds them of someone special… Flowers have official meanings to them.

 

Wedding Flowers & Their Meanings

 

For example: let’s decipher the meaning of the flowers in Kate Middleton’s wedding bouquet:

Lily of the Valley | Sweetness & Humility

Myrtle | The Emblem for Marriage & Eternal Love

HyacinthFertility & Constant Love

Sweet William | Gallantry & Masculinity

Ivy | Friendship & Continuity

 

Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace

 

How special is that? I have created a list of the most commonly used wedding flowers and their meanings and I started with roses, which are probably the most commonly used flowers at a wedding. I have also included a list of other flowers which is also commonly used. Enjoy!

 

Roses

Although the overall meaning of roses is love, passion and affection, each colored rose also has different meanings.

White | Farewell; New Beginnings; Respect; Purity

Pink | Thank You; Love; Gratitude; Admiration; Gentleness

Red | Romance; Love; Beauty; Passion

Yellow | Friendship; Care; Optimism; Empathy; Sympathy

Orange | Thank You; Congratulations; Friendship; Love

Blue | Love; Prosperity; Immortality

Green | Fertility; Richness; Prosperity; Abundance

Purple | Enchantment; Magnetism; Charm

Brown | Intimacy; Romance; Masculinity

 

 

 

Lilies

These are the most commonly used lilies at weddings and other special occasions. They also include the lovely, striped Stargazer Lily.

White | Purity; Virgin Mary; Christianity

Red | Passion; Marriage; Engagement

Yellow | Health; Prosperity

Pink | Encouragement; Ambition

Orange | Passion

 

 

Also Read:

 

Calla Lilies

These type of flowers are also classified as lilies, but they have different meanings to each color as well.  Notice that the Calla Lily has a more masculine look to it than the Stargazer Lilies above.

Yellow & Orange | Growth; Joy; Change

Light Blue & Lavender | Beauty; Grace

Pink | Flirting; Admiration

Dark Purple | Strength; Royalty

Dark Red | Intensity; Passion

 

 

Other Common Wedding Flowers

This is a limited list of other flowers. They are the most commonly used, but you may find other flowers present at weddings which may not be in this list.

Lily-of-the-Valley | Sweetness; Humility; Purity

White and Yellow Daffodils | Spring; Rebirth; New Beginnings

Dahlia | Change; New Beginnings; Grace; Kindness; Commitment

Gardenia | Dreams; Protection; Trust

Baby’s Breath | Innocence; Everlasting Love

Peony | Honor; Wealth; Riches

Tulip | Passion; Love; Affection

Gerbera Daisy | Purity; Joy; Spring

Orchid | Beauty; Charm; Thoughtfulness

Morning Glory | Mortality; Love in Vain

Forget-Me-Not | Fidelity; Undying Love; Care; Remembrance

Columbine | Winning; Hope; Association with Aphrodite

Frangipani | Spiritual Connection; Strength; Welcome

Protea | Courage; Transformation; Diversity

Bird of Paradise | Royalty; Faithfulness; Magnificence

Hydrangea | Honesty; Prosperity; Abundance

Delphinium | Openness; Celebration; Reaching of Goals

Snapdragon | Strength; Grace

Iris | Royalty; Wisdom; Valor

Aster | Patience; Elegance

Wisteria | Good Luck; Affection; Devotion; Spring; Birth

Gladiolas | Perseverance; Strength; Infatuation

Carnation | Distinction; Fascination; Love