10 flowers for your bouquet with hidden Catholic meanings

The custom of flowers at a wedding goes far back into wedding tradition. The bride's bouquet itself is the  centerpiece of the wedding florals, evoking the theme and colors that the bride and groom have chosen to accent their special day. 
Here are 10 flowers (and greens - we cheated a little!) that you can use to incorporate your faith into this beautiful part of your wedding.

1. Lily
​Mid-late Summer
The Lily is one of the most enduring floral symbols in Catholic art. It represents purity, chastity, virginity, and is one of the flowers of Our Lady, being representative of the Immaculate Conception. It is especially associated with the Archangel Gabriel, St. Joseph, and saints who excelled in the virtue of chastity.
 
 2. Daisy
Late Spring - Early Summer
The simple daisy is a symbol of the innocence of the Infant Jesus. It is often depicted in Catholic art of adoration .
 
3. Fern
Year-Round
Since this charming and delicately beautiful plant is found only after much searching in quiet, hidden places, ferns are symbols of humility, sincerity, and earnestness.
 
4. Hyacinth
Early - mid spring
The Hyacinth is considered to be symbolic of the virtues of prudence, constancy, and zeal for heaven. It is said that the shape of the blooms also references a church’s steeple.
 
5. Orchid
Varies
The orchid, possibly because of its beautiful fragrance, represents the blood of Christ flowing in the garden of Gethsemane and Calvary.
 
6. Lily-of-the-Valley
​Spring
The lily of the valley signals the return of spring. For this reason, it is often symbolic of the coming of Christ. Both the fragrance and the simple white flowers symbolize the blessed virgin. Canticles 2:1 'I am the flower of the field, and the lily of the valley.'
     
7. Thistle
Year-Round
The thorny, prickly thistle is a symbol of earthly sorrow and sin, and repentance.
Because of its thorns, is also symbolizes the Passion of Christ, and, in particular, the crowning with thorns.
 
8. Fir
Winter
Besides evoking Christmastime, the evergreen or fir tree is a symbol of Heaven’s elect, who have no earthly desires, and it also represents the virtue of patience.
 
9. Ivy
Year-Round
Ivy is and evergreen plant and represents both death and eternal life. Ivy is a vine, representing Christ, and clings to that which it grows upon, signifying undying affection.
 
10. Rose
Spring - Autumn
Beautiful, delicate but strong, the rose is rich in Catholic symbolism. The lovely flower nestled among the thorns is symbolic of the promise of paradise amidst the sins of the world. The thorns evoke the passion of Christ, and His crowning of thorns. The rosary gets its name from this flower, and praying the rosary is sometimes depicted as offering Mary a garland of roses. Finally, roses appear in several stories of the Saints, such as the roses presented to Saint Juan Diego by Our Lady of Guadalupe, and the roses which miraculously appeared in the mantle of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary.

Are you going to use any of these in your wedding? Did we miss any flowers with special Catholic meanings? Write us below!


God Bless!
- The Something Blue Team



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