Smell the roses and rustic flowers

Bouquets of blossoms, sheaths of wheat, garlands of ivy and herbs are culturally important symbols woven into wedding ceremonies across the centuries.  Brides have carried garlic and herbs to keep evil spirits at bay, while orange blossom and roses might bring fertility and good luck.  Rose petals and blossom scattered along the bride’s path, a tradition many flower girls enact today, ensured her path through life would always be happy and filled with flowers.

Scented flowers had a more practical aspect too, back in the days before hot showers and daily bathing.  Carrying a clutch of fresh rosemary or roses would help mask the tang of unwashed bodies and clothes.

Aspects of many of these traditions are used in our weddings today and while fashion and on trend are significant influencers we’re no longer bound by convention.  With a generous budget global floral supply chains mean that peonies can be sourced out of season and the Zen of lotus and orchids are available year-round. Flowers and greenery from the garden teamed with structured growers’ blooms are increasingly popular.

A bride’s bouquet can be created from just about anything collected –antique brooches, costume jewellery, feathers, seashells, pine cones and pearls –  making the bouquet individual and special to who you are.

Flowers and foliage are essential décor in a church or at the venue and not just for pew ends or table decoration; complex installations of often native plant vegetation are increasingly popular and hang from ceiling ladders and chandelier hoops, helping to bring the outdoors inside.

In common with many traditions, tossing the bride’s bouquet has its roots in superstition – if a female catches the bouquet she may be the next to marry (and if a male catches the garter, he could be the next to wed, although not to each other).  In medieval times it was thought to be great luck if you could get a piece of the bride’s wedding dress, and to deter people from doing this, some ingenious bride threw the floral bouquet tossed instead and created the ritual we’re familiar with. 

So if you’ve caught the bouquet and need a marriage celebrant, the Celebrants’ Association of New Zealand, CANZ is an excellent place to find that perfect person to officiate. Go to www.celebrantsassociation.co.nz and you’ll find someone to make a wedding ceremony uniquely yours.  CANZ celebrants are professionals, committed to a code of ethics and dedicated to the craft of creating exceptional and personal ceremonies.