Speaking In Flowers

Looking back at some of the photos from our friend's wedding in May. Thinking about flowers. How once upon a time each flower in a bouquet, held a meaning. Red roses mean love, of course, but every other color of rose had its own significance too - pale pink for grace. Dark pink, gratitude. Yellow for friendship. White for innocence. Daisies stood for innocence, too. Ivy for eternal fidelity. Heliotrope, devotion. Carnations or ferns for fascination. Rosemary for remembrance. It seems, entire conversations could be held, just by exchanging a posy or boutinierre...oh those wacky, imaginative Victorians.

I looked around and saw another kind of bouquet here at home- a very wiggly one, a self-tossing variety - comprised of the buds temporarily dubbed Sunflower, Dandelion and Lavender. Though the only thing they had to say, was "Meow!" Which I believe translates into, "Feed us!"

Once upon a time, long, long ago - apparently some bouquets were meant to be edible. Dill, garlic and chives were thought to have aphrodisiac properties, and so were popular choices. Carried during the ceremony - then later providing the happy couple a snack for the wedding night. Rome may be a romantic city, but I don't know how romantic the newlyweds' breath might have been, back in Roman times...

It seems from my exhaustive research (i.e., scrolling through the internets with one hand, whilst feeding kittens with the other), that prior to establishing the tradition of tossing the bouquet and garter, the wedding attendants would follow the newlyweds to their wedding chamber, trying to snatch bits and pieces of the bride's bouquet, ribbons, garter, etc - as these were thought to be lucky talismans. Then, at some point, some brides got the bright idea to just toss the bouquet and garter at the hording mob, and make a run for it - and voila~ a new, kinder and gentler, tradition was born!

Another earlier version of the bouquet toss tradition, found via the Internet - brides in Wales would carry sprigs of myrtle in their bouquet, which they would distribute to their bridesmaids afterwards, to tuck into their gardens. Supposedly, if the sprig sprouted roots and grew, they would then be the next to marry. It would seem those with green thumbs might have an unfair advantage on that one.

When the kittens finally fell asleep, I turned from trawling the Internet, to playing around with some twinkling H20, collaging bits and pieces of junk mail catalogs on paper, some fiber leftovers for streamers - toying with the idea of what the bouquet at a mermaid wedding might be like. Couldn't get the real shells to adhere for long, though - c'est la vie - probably for the best - I wouldn't be able to close my journal if they had...

I wonder if each seashell might mean something to a mermaid bride? Oysters for pearls of wisdom, cowry for desire. Clams for wealth of gratitude. Nautilus for room to grow - or maybe, they would beckon, 'step into my chamber?' lol

Lilacs (meaning youthful innocence) and violets (faithfulness) are my two favorite flowers, though they were unfortunately out of season, for either wedding. Not that it would have mattered much at the first one - since the flowers didn't arrive in time for the wedding ceremony. Yikes. An omen? We ended up walking down the aisle with our hands folded in front of us, though the bouquets did finally arrive at the reception. Phht. So, the second time around, I put together my own. At least that way I knew there would be flowers there. They seem all the more memorable for having done that. Though I did pick a couple of sprigs of rosemary growing there at the park, to tuck in with the daisies and larkspur I was carrying - since rosemary stands for remembrance, perhaps that's why I remember it so well. I did have a little pot of African violets on the cake table, so at least one of my favorite flowers was there to speak up for me, metaphorically.

What flowers speak to you?

Remember - you're cordially invited to raise a toast to brides and grooms, and dance 'neath the June HoneyMoon, this Saturday (if needed, some may arrive by posting early - on Friday night).

Interpreting the June HoneyMoon theme is up to you - you can read more about it here.

Now here's the invitation: Post on your blog a little something new, old, borrowed (if permitted :) or  blue - about weddings. Photos or art, stories or anecdotes - about your's or someone else's wedding - past or future, real or imagined.  Then link back to the wedding coordinator spot here - so all the guests can find the various receptions.

Once you've posted, RSVP by letting me know with a comment here on Saturday's post, so I can list the various receptions all together - then we can all go through the various receiving lines and pay our respects.

Some who have said 'Yes,' for this Saturday - Brandy,  Caroline,  Constance,  Gemma,  Janet, Kai,  Lisa O, Robyn, Tammy, and Tammy V. - come back Saturday for a complete dance card ~ let me know if I've missed anyone - or if you too, decide to say 'I do'  - all are welcome to dance 'neath the June HoneyMoon!

Comments

[Caroline]

I'm here after all so will be posting too. I never did get around to scanning in the photos from our own wedding... this seems like a very good reason to do so now.

Thank you!

And I love your mermaids bouquet - perhaps you could stick on photos of the shells instead for your journal?

[rochambeau]

Hi tinker,
Lovely post!
Must think quick!
xox
Constnce

[Tammy]

I'm going to work on mine today and post tonight. Flowers remind me of Dave because they are his passion.

I prefer to not cut flowers because they bring such beauty and color to my view. (Last longer too)

I'm a Sterling Rose girl!

XXOO

[miss*R]

ooh Tink, I adore your mermaid bouquet!! I am going to steal your idea for my mermaid painting that I am working on!!

my post is up.. not exactly what I was going to do.. but its there xo

[Bill]

good stuff

[Ninnie]

Love this idea. But not sure I will get anything up. YDD forgot to pick her bouquet . She got married in our backyard, so it lay by the door that she came out of until after the ceremony. Love Hugs and Blessings

[gemma]

Stop by the desertgarden for a dance....

[Caroline]

Mine is up.

Everyone is welcome.

http://caroslines.blogspot.com/2008/06/celebrating-december-wedding-in-june.html

[Imelda / GreenishLady]

Aaah! I decided to celebrate my sister as a bride. Do come and meet her!
http://greenishlady.blogspot.com/2008/06/june-honeymoon-celebrating-special.html

[Imelda / GreenishLady]

Oh... forgot to answer your question. I had freesias and baby rosebuds in my own bridal bouquet. I love freesias, and they were my mother's favourite flower, too. And look - there they are in Aileen's bouquet too.

[rochambeau]

I'm dressed and ready to celebrate, so to speak!

xo
Constance

[Carmen]

yay for seashells!
if I marry again, i will make it in Coronado, with my feet in the water edge and with lots of seashells and you are cordially invited so let's hope it happens again ;-)