Herbal Weddings

Victorian brides incorporated the symbolism of herbs and flowers throughout their entire wedding in decoration and tussie mussies. They wore special flowers in their hair and on their dresses.

• Roses for love
• Lavender for devotion
• Thyme for strength
• Rosemary for remembrance

A Victorian bride might also carry ivy in her bouquet of flowers because once rooted in the soil, ivy is difficult to disturb; just as happy marriage should be.

Herbs can be added to the bride’s hair and dress.

She can pin a traditional pouch to the inner side of the hem of her dress. It should contain a coin for wealth, a crust of bread for food, a tiny piece of wood for shelter, a piece of fabric for clothing, thyme for courage and rose petals for love.

The groom should not be overlooked. He can wear a boutonnière made from an ivy leaf (fidelity), rosemary (for remembrance), and a rosebud (for love).

Or perhaps a combination of mint (for warmth of feeling) and lavender (for devotion).  

If you’re interested in more herb traditions like these, you can find them in The Great Herb Tour by Christina Hindhaugh.

- Article by Nanette Cattanach, Balwyn Blooms florist