The Language of Wedding Flowers
The Language of Wedding Flowers: Summer Style and Symbolism for Your Wedding Day
Flowers have long been cherished not only for their beauty but for the emotions, scents and symbolism they carry. From ancient cultures to modern celebrations, they’ve brought a sensual element to wedding decor. In summer, when blooms burst into abundance, couples have an extraordinary array of in-season options they can use to communicate romance, joy, loyalty, or prosperity and other forms of good luck.
Today, we are exploring the meaning of some of the most beloved summer wedding flowers, including peonies, roses, ranunculus, orchids, dahlias, sunflowers, delphinium, calla lilies, and to discover how each can speak volumes at your wedding.
Peonies: Romance, Prosperity, and Happy Marriage
In the language of wedding flowers, the peony is an icon, adored for its lush, ruffled petals and subtle fragrance. Beyond its visual splendor, the peony is a symbol of romance and a happy, prosperous marriage, an auspicious bloom if ever there was one. In Chinese culture, peonies are known as the “king of flowers” and are associated with honor and wealth. Western traditions similarly prize them as emblems of good fortune and love.
In early summer, peonies come into full bloom and they are coveted for bouquets and centerpieces. Blush pink peonies look soft and romantic in loose arrangements, while coral and white varieties lend themselves to more modern designs. Brides often choose peonies as the focal flower of their bouquet, pairing them with delicate greenery or smaller accent blooms.
To learn all about about how using peonies at your wedding, don’t miss our post:
Roses: Love in All Its Forms
When books are written on the language of wedding flowers, they always include multiple varieties and colors of roses with their own unique fragrances. Available throughout the year, roses are especially vibrant and plentiful in summer, offering countless options to suit almost every wedding style. Each rose color carries its own nuance: red symbolizes passionate love, white innocence and new beginnings, pink gratitude and joy, and yellow friendship and warmth.
Garden roses, with their densely petaled blooms and enchanting scents, are a popular summer choice. Long stem roses can look stunning in a group, or in big loose bouquets with other flowers that can come in almost any color. Whether you prefer a single-color bouquet of classic white roses or a garden-inspired mix in vibrant shades, roses are an elegant way to indulge your senses. Breathe deep from your bouquet, then plant the same type of rose to bloom year after year in your garden.
Ranunculus: Simply Charming
The layered delicate petals of the ranunculus look a bit like a peony and a rose wrapped in a tightly woven flower. Symbolizing charm and radiance, they are one of the most popular blooms for wedding bouquets. Often used in boho and garden-style arrangements for their just-picked look, they come in a wide range of deep colors, from soft pastels to bold oranges and reds.
Ranunculus are prized for their long vase life and ability to complement both formal and casual designs. Combine them with roses and peonies for a lush, textured bouquet, or use them alone for a more minimalist, modern look. No matter how you style them, ranunculus will add a delicate touch to your bouquet and floral decor.
Orchids: Luxury and Refined Beauty
Orchids exude beauty, refinement, and luxury. In the Victorian era, they were a sign of deep affection, reserved only for those held in the highest esteem. Today, orchids remain an emblem of elegance and sophistication, perfect for couples seeking a chic, modern or exotic vibe.
Phalaenopsis orchids are often used at summer weddings in cascading bouquets and ceremony arches. Their long stems and graceful blooms create movement and drama. White orchids are said to symbolize purity, while pink varieties convey joy. Whether used as an accent or abundantly showcased, orchids bring sophistication to wedding floral designs.
It’s no wonder that in Chinese culture, the orchid is "Queen of Flowers", at the height of refinement and grace.
Dahlias: Strength, Commitment, and Creativity
Dahlias are true summer showstoppers. These striking blooms, with their intricate layers and dramatic size, stand for inner strength, commitment, and creativity in the language of wedding flowers. Dahlias come in almost every hue you can imagine from deep burgundy and coral to soft peach and creamy white. Their petals can be soft and round, or even pointed at the ends. When you want to mix colors together for a summer garden feel, there is nothing like dahlias to do the trick. For a bold statement, incorporate large dinner-plate variety into ceremony arrangements or reception centerpieces and watch how they grab attention.
You will find dahlias that complement almost any theme and are hardy enough to stand up to the heat of the day, so don’t miss the options when you’re choosing flowers for your summer wedding.
Sunflowers: Adoration and Joy
Few flowers capture the essence of summer as perfectly as the sunflower. With their golden petals and cheerful faces that turn to the light, sunflowers represent adoration, loyalty, and happiness. If your style is joyful, vibrant, and relaxed, sunflowers are an upbeat choice.
Sunflowers are often seen in rustic or country weddings, but they can be styled in sophisticated ways too. Pair them with creamy roses and soft greenery for a more refined look, or use them in bold arrangements mixed with dahlias and delphinium for a bright, garden-inspired palette. Sunflowers also make wonderful boutonnières and aisle markers. No matter where you use them, they bring instant warmth and optimism.
Delphinium: Positivity and Heavenly Grace
Delphinium adds height, movement, and a touch of whimsy to summer wedding flower bouquets and arrangements. In the language of wedding flowers, these tall spires, covered in small blossoms, are symbols of lightness, positivity, and protection. They are also associated with an open heart and ardent attachment.
Delphinium comes in shades of blue, purple, white, and pink, making it especially valuable for adding hard to find blue tones to your color palette. Use delphinium to create an ethereal ceremony backdrop or to add dimension to centerpieces. Combined with peonies and roses, they lend a soft, romantic feel that feels fresh and distinctive.
Designing a Language All Your Own
Going beyond pretty decorations, flowers trigger serotonin and dopamine creating positive feelings, and their unique scent can live on in our memories for decades. So, whether you are drawn to the opulence of peonies, the joy of sunflowers, or the refined beauty of orchids, take some time to craft your own message through the language of wedding flowers and bring more meaning to your wedding.
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