Have you thought how flowers might be used, not only in bouquets and decorations, but symbolically, in the ceremony itself?
The rose is the flower most associated with romance and love. It was Roses, roses all the way, said Robert Browning. It is considered a bloom of exquisite beauty. The choice it gives us in fragrance, in simplicity or profusion of flowers and in array of colour seems endless. Hardly surprising, then, that so many brides choose roses to adorn their wedding day.
Choosing the right colour?
Qualities are often attributed to the colours of roses, such as white for purity, yellow for friendship, lavender for enchantment, coral for desire, orange for fascination, and a pink rose to express joy and gratitude. The red rose is usually chosen as a symbol of passion and undying love.
In a simple ceremony ritual, the gift of a single rose between bride and groom might be accompanied by some very special words expressing a unique dimension of your love for one another, making the gift both touching and uniquely personal.
The theme could be extended further, to include family members. In a lovely little ritual ‘a gift of roses’ can be given in a number of ways. For example, children in the family might give roses to the bride and groom, who might then turn and present these as a gift of gratitude to each other’s mothers.
These could be fresh flowers or they might be permanent gifts, such as a silver or ceramic rose in a presentation box. The gift is one of appreciation for all that a mother has given, as well as the making of a new bond as two families come together, and as a lasting reminder of your wedding ceremony. It might be accompanied by some appropriate words by the participants or from the minister.
My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose
Holding the theme of family through the ceremony, a lovely completion might be to honour the fathers with a toast of health from the quaich, a good old Scottish tradition, which has a traditional form of words. And what better way to then finalize than with the words of Scotland’s immortal bard, a song, poem, or simply the music of My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose.
The use of roses, or any other flower for that matter, as a key element in your ceremony can add something that is really special to you and your family. Other possibilities include departing over a scattering of petals from baskets held by your little flower girls, or you may leave after your celebrant has blessed you by throwing petals over you both – with a suitable form of words, of course. The possibilities are limitless.