Are you invited to a baptism or a first communion and want to know what flowers to bring? Are you organizing this type of event and looking for tips on how to create a suitable floral decoration?
You’re in the right place.
As a florist specializing in events, my mission is to help my clients choose and set up the decorations for their ceremonies. While many people come to me with specific decoration ideas for weddings, my clients are often more uncertain when it comes to a baptism.
Today, I want to share my knowledge and experience on this topic with you, so you can confidently choose the perfect flowers for this occasion.
For a baptism, it is important to pay special attention to the color of the flowers: they should be white if you want a very traditional ceremony. In other cases, pastel colors are acceptable. You can choose annual flowers such as Lisianthus, Baby’s Breath, or seasonal blooms. If you want your flower choice to symbolize the values of baptism, you can consider using white Lilies or Roses, which represent purity in the language of flowers. When decorating for a baptism with flowers, you have multiple options: church pews, floral arrangements and centerpieces, a flower arch… not to mention a floral crown. Lastly, if you want to give a floral gift on this occasion, you can present a bouquet, a potted plant, or even opt for a preserved rose for a lasting and unique gift.
Want to learn more? By reading this article, you’ll discover:
- A selection of flowers that you can give when you’re invited to a baptism
- Tips for making your floral decoration for this event a success
- How to celebrate a baptism with the language of flowers
- Floral gift ideas to bring for the occasion
How to Choose Flowers for a Baptism?
Flowers play an important role in celebrating a baptism, but they must be chosen carefully. Whether the event is religious or secular, it is a solemn occasion. Therefore, the selection of flowers, whether for gifting or decoration, should be appropriate.
First, I will explain how to choose flowers for a baptism to help you avoid any missteps.
Which Colors to Choose?
Baptisms typically involve young children. Everything related to childhood, in floral art, symbolizes lightness, purity, and delicacy. Therefore, I recommend choosing very light colors.
However, it is important to consider that depending on the type of baptism, you will have more or less freedom in making your choice:
✔️ If it’s a very traditional Christian baptism, the color to choose is definitely white. It reflects the symbol of purity that this type of ceremony represents.
✔️ If it’s a less formal religious baptism or a civil baptism, you can opt for pastel shades like pale pink, sky blue, soft green, or gentle yellow.
What varieties of flowers are suitable for this type of event?
Just like with colors, the selection of flower varieties that you give or use for decoration at a baptism must be suitable for this type of event.
In the following lines, I will share a selection of flowers and foliage that I recommend to my clients who are looking to plan a baptism. Of course, this list is not exhaustive: these are suggestions to help you make your choice more easily later on.
🌻 Flowers
- In spring: Lilacs, Forget-me-nots, White Anemone, Pastel Buttercup, White Tulip, Stock Flowers…
- In summer: Chamomile, Pastel Carnation, Nigella, Pale Hydrangea, Alchemilla…
- In autumn: White Cosmos, Nigella, Pink Astilbe, Pale Green Stonecrop…
- In winter: White Tulip, Daffodil, Nerine, Star-of-Bethlehem…
- Year-round: Long-stemmed roses, Waxflower, Miniature roses, David Austin garden roses, Baby’s breath, Lisianthus
🌿 Foliage
Some soft green foliage options are perfect for a baptism. Here’s a short list:
- Eucalyptus
- Thlaspi
- Olive Tree
- Variegated Ivy
- Pittosporum (Variety: Pittosporum Tenuifolium)
🌾 Berries and Grasses
To add a unique touch to your floral decor, consider using wild fruits, such as unripe blackberries, as well as grasses that can be found in fields and along roadsides during spring and summer.
How to Celebrate a Baptism with the Language of Flowers?
Now you know how to make your choice, but you want it to convey a specific message? To help you, I’ll suggest one or more flowers for each message that are suitable for a baptism.
👉 If you give one or more of these flowers as a gift, feel free to explain the message behind it. The recipient and their family will be delighted to learn the meaning of your gift.
- Purity : The White Lily (which is also associated with motherhood), the White Rose
- Innocence: Freesia, Cosmos
- Family Love : Pink Tulip, Pink Rose
- Happiness, Joy: Gerbera
- Friendship, Sociability: Stock, Orange Rose
- Spirituality: Orchid
🛑 Beware of Chrysanthemums. While this flower is quite beautiful, I recommend avoiding it for this occasion. Traditionally associated with mourning, this flower is not really suitable for a baptism.
What type of floral arrangement is suitable for a baptism?
After discussing the selection of flowers, you may still be wondering about the floral decoration for the ceremony or what kind of gift you should give for the occasion. In this final section, I will answer your questions on this topic so you can plan with peace of mind.
What Should You Plan for Decorating the Event?
If you’re planning a baptism, here’s a list of floral decoration elements you might consider. Of course, not everything is mandatory: it’s up to you to choose from these suggestions to create a ceremony that reflects your desires and meets your needs…
Decorating the Place of Worship (Church, Temple, etc.) ⛪
Whether it’s church pews or arrangements placed on the altar, it’s important to check with the individuals who manage the religious building (such as the priest or sacristans) to ensure that what you plan to install is permitted in that space.
Table Centerpieces 🍽️
Consider using a larger centerpiece for the head table, where the future honoree will be seated.
Round centerpieces are ideal for round tables, while rectangular or oval tables are best complemented by elongated centerpieces.
Various Arrangements and Decorations 🎍
If you want to decorate an entryway, a staircase, or even a stage, you can choose arrangements using hydrophilic foam. This foam helps keep the stems upright while also providing hydration.
Archways and Compositions for Photography 📷
If you’re planning to take beautiful photographs to commemorate the baptism, you might consider having a flower arch. This trendy floral decoration will enhance the photos of those being photographed.
If you hire a professional florist, they might be able to rent you an arch for the occasion, helping you avoid a big investment. Be sure to ask about this when discussing the quote.
A Flower Crown 👑🌼
This easy-to-wear accessory is perfect for a little girl or a young girl being baptized, or even for the mother of the child being baptized.
Interested? I invite you to choose from our hundreds of floral crowns for children and adults. Designed with care to enhance your beauty, these accessories are crafted from artificial flowers, so they can be ordered right now in preparation for your event.
What to Give When You’re Invited to a Baptism?
If you want to give flowers as a gift for a baptism, the following lines are meant for you. I’m sharing three floral gift ideas, from the most classic to the most unique, so you can easily find the perfect present.
A bouquet or an arrangement 💐
For such an occasion, you can bring a bouquet or a floral arrangement.
Regarding the bouquet, I recommend, if possible, choosing a packaging type called “water bubble” if the celebration is not taking place at the home of the family hosting you. These options help keep the bouquet hydrated for several days if it can’t be placed in a vase right away.
For the floral arrangement, the flowers will be placed in water-retaining foam, allowing them to stay fresh without any issues.
A Symbolic Plant 🌱
To make it special, you might consider giving a plant or a tree that can be replanted in the garden of the baptized child’s home. This is a gift with a meaningful symbolic value, as the child and the plant will grow together.
Here are some meanings behind the main trees you might consider giving on this occasion:
- Pear Tree: purity and innocence of childhood
- Lemon Tree: balance and vitality
- Olive Tree: longevity, purity, and glory
- Apple Tree: feminine sweetness
👉 As mentioned earlier, feel free to explain the meaning of your gift so that the recipient can understand your intention.
An Eternal White Rose, a Symbol of Purity 🌹
If you’re looking for a trendy, unique, and symbolic gift, why not give an everlasting rose? This preserved rose can last a lifetime, especially if it comes under a glass dome. It’s easy to care for, won’t wilt, and will retain its beauty for years to come.
For example, you can choose a white rose to symbolize purity and innocence associated with the baptism ceremony.
To help you make your choice, I recommend checking out our high-quality everlasting roses catalog: we offer a variety of cloche models that are perfect for a baptism gift.
You now have all the tools you need to choose the perfect flowers to celebrate this wonderful occasion! I’ll see you soon for a new article!