As well as the bride carrying a bouquet, which is considered a symbol of happiness, brides and their grooms used to wear wreaths and garlands made of herbs.
Some herbs and plants had meanings to their being part of a wreath or bouquet:
- Sage - Wisdom
- Dill - Lust
- Orange Blossom - Happiness and Fertility
- Ivy - Fidelity
- Lillies - Purity
The Celtics used ivy, thistle and heather for their traditional bouquets and the Ancients used to believe that some herbs had the power to ward off evil spirits - the most powerful being garlic - so these were used in their bouquets and not flowers.
Sheaves of wheat, which symbolize growth and fertlity, would be carried by the bride’s Flower Girls.
Sources: BridalWhimsy.com for Brideandgroom.com
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