You’re invited to a wedding and you’re wondering if you should give flowers to the couple?
We specialize in wedding floral arrangements and can help you with that.
Giving flowers to newlyweds is a tradition that dates back to ancient Rome, meant to convey your best wishes for their happiness. This floral gift symbolizes renewal, fidelity, and fertility. The flowers received are then used by the couple to decorate their wedding venue. However, this tradition is fading away because these days, the bouquets given by guests are often no longer used for decoration.
In this article, you will discover:
- Why giving flowers is so cherished by the newlyweds.
- What giving flowers to the newlyweds truly signifies.
- Which flowers to choose and their meanings.
- An alternative to flowers, perfect for helping the newlyweds remember your gift.
By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly which flowers to give to the newlyweds. So let’s get started!
Why Do We Give Flowers at Weddings?
It is common for wedding guests to give flowers to the newlyweds. This tradition dates back to ancient Rome, where flowers symbolized renewal, fidelity, and fertility. Presenting a floral arrangement to the couple is primarily a way to wish them all the happiness they deserve.
This custom also had a real purpose because previously, the couple would allocate little to no budget for the floral decoration of their wedding. The flowers and bouquets they received were used as decorations for their special day.
A Tradition that is Fading Away.
Our times are very different, and today most couples plan their wedding decorations months in advance and don’t need extra flowers for decoration.
More and more couples are explicitly asking their guests not to bring flowers, as they are perishable items and will not be used for decoration.
If the couple is unconventional, then skip giving them flowers for their wedding. In that case, go straight to the last section of this article for another gift idea.
If the couple is attuned to traditions, then giving flowers makes perfect sense, and we will explore together how to select your bouquet wisely.
Choosing the Perfect Bouquet for the Newlyweds
The choice of flowers is important because each flower and color has a specific meaning. There are also certain types of flowers that should be avoided altogether, as they are unsuitable for a wedding. This is what we will explore right now.
What Type of Flower to Give.
In general, you can create a flower bouquet using all types of flowers, except for those associated with funerals. So, avoid choosing carnations and chrysanthemums. You should also steer clear of funeral sprays and artificial flowers.
The most commonly given flowers as gifts for newlyweds are:
- Roses: a symbol of love and passion. They are the royal flowers of weddings and come in various colors, with the most common being red, pale pink, and white.
- Orchids: a symbol of beauty, charm, elegance, and love. They also come in a variety of colors such as purple, yellow, orange, and white.
- Lilies: a symbol of purity, royalty, and fertility. This flower is often associated with the Catholic faith and the Virgin Mary.
In addition to choosing the right flowers, it’s important to select the right colors. Each flower color has its own meaning, and the newlyweds will appreciate hearing your explanations about the colors you chose for your floral arrangement.
The Meaning of Flower Colors
- White. This color is associated with light, goodness, innocence, purity, and virginity. It is the traditional color for weddings. Gifting a bouquet of white flowers is a safe choice. White pairs beautifully with vibrant colored flowers, such as a red rose combined with some greenery to add volume.
- Red. This color represents love, passion, strong emotions, excitement, energy, strength, and desire. While a bouquet of all red flowers is not typically recommended, you can include one or two red flowers in your arrangement.
- Yellow. This color symbolizes the summer sun, joy, and hope.
- Orange. This color is associated with optimism, energy, and the warmth of youth.
- Blue. This color evokes water and the ocean. It represents calmness and tranquility. Blue also conveys loyalty, stability, life, and security.
- Pink. This color represents sweetness, freshness, youth, love, innocence, and life. Pink is often associated with femininity and women.
🛑 Before we continue, it’s important to mention that if the couple has already decided on a color scheme for their wedding, you should incorporate that color into your floral arrangement.
Send a Floral Arrangement to the Newlyweds: The Perfect Solution for Unexpected Situations.
Having flowers delivered to the newlyweds is quite common. If you have an unexpected situation and can’t attend the wedding, it’s a thoughtful gesture to send a bouquet.
You can also have your flowers delivered if you don’t want to hassle with a large bouquet on your way to the wedding.
Deliveries are usually made directly to the wedding venue. I recommend coordinating with your local florist to ensure they prepare and send your floral gift in the best conditions. You can also choose and have floral arrangements delivered directly online.
Giving a Plant as a Wedding Gift: A Unique Alternative.
While it’s customary to give flowers to the newlyweds, giving a plant is an alternative that offers many benefits:
- Plants have a long lifespan.
- Plants also serve as decorative elements.
- The newlyweds can keep the plants in their home and will think of you every time they water them.
- This stays within the realm of nature, and thus is not far removed from the tradition of giving flowers.
Don’t just give a small plant (no small cacti, please); instead, opt for a beautiful arrangement of plants that has real decorative appeal, such as:
- An eternal rose under glass. This is a real rose, just like in the Disney movie: Beauty and the Beast. The rose’s aging process has been halted using a complex natural method that allows the rose to maintain its beauty and freshness for several years.
- A terrarium. This is a clear sphere containing various plants and ferns. It’s a beautiful decorative piece that allows you to observe the growth of plants through the transparent sphere. A terrarium also requires very little maintenance, making it an ideal gift.
- A bonsai. This is a tree that has been carefully cultivated according to the traditional Japanese art form to keep it in miniature size.
- A plant arrangement. This is a combination of different plants in a small, portable planter, typically made of wood or wicker.
