A bridal bouquet of peonies has become popular only recently. Until recently, such flowers were considered rustic and not capable of decorating the wedding day of the newlyweds. But in just a few years, these plants have won the love of the weaker sex. Airy, elegant, double inflorescences began to appear at celebrations. The abundance of their shapes and colors allows every girl to find her ideal composition that will fit into any holiday theme.
Symbolism
At a symbolic level, peonies mean prosperity, wealth and protection , therefore, in the bride’s bouquet, these flowers will program the new family for a happy and strong union, as if protected from problems by a divine shield.
Other interpretations of the symbolism of peonies:
- in Greece , the homeland of peonies, they were considered a talisman against the evil eye and any evil, which would also be useful at a wedding;
- in China the flower was associated with imperial grandeur;
- in Japan it was a sign of potential fertility - lush peony paths were planted at the windows of girls of marriageable age.
As for modern floristry, a flower is usually added as a sign of well-being, harmonious, tender love. This is not a boiling sea of passions, but the calm waves of a large river.
Interesting! Even the degree of openness of the buds is important for interpretation.
Those barely blooming symbolize a very young girl, and a fully open flower symbolizes the captivating femininity of an older young lady. The color of the buds also matters:
- A bouquet with red peonies emphasizes sensuality, passion and at the same time boundless devotion;
- The darker the color, the more aristocratic it is, so burgundy peonies in a bouquet already mean the divine blessing of the nascent union;
- White buds are traditionally associated with innocence, purity of soul, and the beginning of a new life;
- Pink, cream and other pastel shades will emphasize the tenderness of the bride, her romance and dreaminess;
- Purple is suitable for a creative, creative person.
The most controversial color is yellow. In the language of flowers, the shade means unhappiness and quarrel, but if you love sunny colors, do not despair, because the other side of the meaning of this shade is unbridled fun, carelessness and seething vital energy.
What do you need to know?
Peonies are suitable for spring and summer weddings, because you can find them on store shelves only in late spring and early summer - which is considered the season. At this time there are a lot of them, they are varied, and the price is very low.
It is worth remembering that these plants must be handled with extreme care and precision. They are afraid of both cold and heat - in such conditions they quickly bloom, and therefore can become disheveled and wither. They also don’t live long without water, so don’t forget to ask to add a sponge with water to the composition.
Palette of colors:
- soft pink;
- beige;
- lemon;
- dark red;
- yellow;
- white;
- wine red;
- deep pink;
- bright raspberry;
- soft peach;
- lilac;
- orange;
- burgundy;
- cream;
- fuchsia colors;
- blue;
- purple;
- coral
What do the shades symbolize:
- white represents the innocence, purity and sincere feelings of the couple;
- pink ones are considered a symbol of material wealth and respect in the family;
- rich tones of red and burgundy speak of the passion, devotion and sensuality of the newlyweds;
- yellow has a double meaning: on the one hand, it means misfortune and quarrel, and on the other, incredible fun, carefree days and vibrant energy.
The symbolism of the flowers themselves:
- Greece is considered the birthplace of peonies, where people treat them as a talisman against the evil eye and all evil;
- according to the Chinese interpretation, it is a plant of the sun, which brings financial success and prosperity;
- The Japanese believe that bouquets with peonies promise fertility and untold wealth;
- Mediterranean countries believe that such flowers bring joy, a good future and hope for happiness;
- Among Europeans, including in Russia, it is believed that a bridal bouquet made with peonies will bring the newlyweds a happy married life, strong relationships and family well-being.
Adviсe
- Tall newlyweds will look better with cascading bouquets, and short ones with classic round ones.
- For thin brides, a not very voluminous wedding composition is just right, but for plump ones, on the contrary, a larger and more curvaceous one is suitable.
- Bouquets of soft pink or red go well with the bride's snow-white dress, and pastel-colored peonies go great with beige, milky, silver, ivory or ivory.
- A round bouquet goes well with a lush outfit, and an elongated cascading bouquet goes well with a straight cut.
- It is good to dilute a composition of purple shades with yellow, purple or pale pink plants.
- Red tones look great in the hands of brunettes, pastels are ideal for blondes, and redheads should give preference to purple colors with a lot of greenery.
- For a vintage celebration it is good to choose a round-shaped flower arrangement, and for an eco-wedding - a cascading one.
What kind of brides are they suitable for?
Peony compositions are perfect for both very young, dreamy girls and self-confident young ladies who know what they want from life. A rich palette of shades will allow you to choose your combination for any color type.
Peonies are a great option for brides who:
- they want to save money, because during the flowering period, that is, from May to July, peonies are very cheap;
- choose a wedding in the style of rustic, eco, vintage, Provence;
- they dream of a lush, luxurious, but not too strict bouquet;
- appreciate the romance and femininity of these enchanting flowers.
Do not forget that peonies are very delicate plants. They do not tolerate frost, rough touches and drought, which means the bouquet will have to be treated like crystal and placed in water at every opportunity. However, if a fluffy flower in your hands at a wedding is a childhood dream, then any problems can be overcome.
Styles and combinations
A large number of roses of this type makes choosing a bouquet very difficult. It will be easier if you take into account not only the character of the bride, but also the style of the wedding. In addition, you need to choose a bouquet so that it does not merge with the dress, but only emphasizes its color.
If you decide to have a shabby chic wedding, you can take light peach or soft pink flowers in your bouquet. For those celebrations that are held in Provence or country style, you can use light shades. They can also be combined with different wildflowers.
For those who decided to make the wedding completely unusual, that is, in a hippie or boho style, you can use roses in bright colors, for example, choose a red or raspberry bouquet.
For those who prefer a European wedding style, peony roses are best suited. In addition to the bride's bouquet, you need to choose a matching boutonniere for the groom to look harmonious together. For a sea-themed wedding, you can take delicate white roses and dilute them with blue hydrangeas.
Ideas for wedding bouquets with photos
You can create an effective accessory with your own hands; fortunately, peonies have quite powerful long stems that are easy to work with.
It is possible to either create a round or cascading bouquet with a stem, or use additional devices, for example, a porta bouquet holder with a special sponge filled with cool water. This will not only allow you to play with the shape of your bouquet. Moisture reserves will have a beneficial effect on the condition of the petals, preventing them from drooping or flying around even in less than ideal conditions.
Idea! The cascade shape of the bouquet also looks original, but in this case it is better to decorate the composition with a variety of greenery to add freshness.
Peonies make gorgeous exotic options - a pomander, an absolutely round sphere attached to your hand with a ribbon, or rosamelia, a giant flower made up of several dozen buds. Disguised joints make you believe that this is really a huge exotic plant, and the keen interest of all guests in the accessory during the holiday is guaranteed.
Monobouquet
Peonies are absolutely self-sufficient flowers, so mono bouquets of one color or another look great. A red, pink, purple cloud in the hands of the bride looks charming, especially if the leg of the accessory is wrapped in fabric or paper of the desired shade. A pastel mono bouquet is perfect for a vintage or rustic celebration.
If you choose snow-white buds, the overall image will turn out incredibly airy, gentle and sublime. In this case, it is better to leave the stem free so as not to hide the juicy greens. You just need to lightly grab it with a satin ribbon of the same shade as the buds. It is advisable to insert a wire frame into the stem to ensure that the bouquet does not fall apart.
To prevent the white bouquet from blending in with the snow-white wedding dress in the photographs, add more greenery to it. This will set boundaries, but will not destroy the unearthly harmony of the overall picture.
Ideal compositions
Wildflowers, for example, lilies of the valley, go well with snow-white peonies, but such a juxtaposition is only possible when the wedding is planned during the flowering period. You can dilute the whiteness with bright colors of cornflowers, violets, tulips, blue irises, and daffodils. All field plants calmly coexist with each other and with peonies, without trying to displace their neighbors from the vase with secreted toxins.
Roses, lilies, and orchids are suitable for peonies of more saturated shades. Such a bouquet automatically becomes chic, but it is less durable, since the listed flowers have a negative attitude towards the neighborhood - each type of flower will have to be placed in its own vase.
The combination of peonies with freesias, hydrangeas, ranunculus, anemones, and eucalyptus looks interesting. For weddings with a more democratic, rustic design, use gerberas, daisies, a variety of greenery and lilac blossoms.
Freesia
Freesia is a flower of trust, admiration and respect. Its delicate aroma, neat lace-like shape of the petals and abundance of shades make it an excellent frame for large, fluffy peonies.
Since freesia is also presented in cold colors - shades of blue and blue, limitless possibilities for floristic experiments open up before you . A combination of blue and yellow, blue and white, purple and cream looks good.
Idea! An entirely scarlet, pink or white composition of peonies interspersed with contrasting freesia accents is interesting.
Bouquets of different flowers, but of the same shade, are also beautiful. If desired, use a gradient that is fashionable today with a transition from larger and more saturated peonies in the center to light and miniature freesias along the edges.
Peony roses
Elegant, aristocratic roses or delicate peonies, full of life and spring? The breeders decided that there was no need to choose, and they bred a number of varieties of peony roses that took the best qualities of both parents.
The most common variety is David Austin, which has cup-shaped buds, a magical aroma and a huge palette of colors. Typically, David Austin roses are collected in delicate pastel compositions and used at vintage weddings, because the appearance of the flower directly refers to retro style.
The advantages of peony roses, in addition to their external beauty, include greater resistance to influences, natural and physical, although the bouquet still remains fragile and not very suitable for a frosty winter wedding.
Both round and cascading bouquets of peony roses look good. You should be careful with more original forms - they are acceptable, but think about how exactly you will play with the mixture of modernity and antiquity.
Delicate ranunculus
Ranunculus resemble small peonies, and therefore seem to be created to combine with their older brothers.
At a symbolic level, this Iranian flower means tenderness and happiness , it is distinguished by good resistance to external factors and a wide variety of colors.
The classic version is a round bouquet , where there are several peony buds in the center, and small ranunculi at the edges, differing by two or three tones. This combination will show your ideal taste and ability to play with details.
Another idea is rich red peonies, asymmetrically scattered as if carelessly across a canvas of white or cream ranunculus. In this case, the bouquet will emphasize the contrasting fusion of boundless passion and innocent tenderness.
The main problem with using these flowers at the same time is that they do not have the same flowering time. If peonies bloom from May to July, then ranunculi bloom from February to April. So be prepared that you will have to order this or that flower from abroad.
Hydrangea
Hydrangea is a fluffy ball of many small flowers. This form goes well with more substantial peony buds, adding airiness and enthusiasm to the overall composition.
The symbolic meaning of hydrangea is sincerity, trust and hope , which makes the flower a welcome guest in a wedding bouquet.
Hydrangea next to peonies will be more of a frame than the main character, but when creating a field, village bouquet, you can not choose the central flower, but add lilacs, daffodils, and irises in equal proportions.
Advice! Using more than three pure colors in equal proportions makes the bouquet overly bright and flashy. If you want multicolor, don't forget to add more greenery. Then bright colors will fit perfectly as accents and will not conflict with each other.
An extremely delicate bouquet will be made from white, pinkish or cream flowers tone on tone. Unexpected splashes of scarlet, purple, burgundy on snow-white are also possible, and hydrangea may well become this accent.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is considered the plant of life. This greenery comes in a variety of varieties - dusty gray cineria hearts, large fresh robusta leaves, neater small shoots of hanna and many other varieties.
Eucalyptus has a characteristic scent, adds volume to the bouquet and outlines its boundaries, making the composition more complete and neat. The use of eucalyptus in combination with lush, but visually slightly blurred peony buds is especially relevant.
Eucalyptus looks great both in the classic round shape of a bouquet and in a cascade. You can change not only the size of the leaves, but also their shade , because it varies from bluish to gray, which means you can fit the bouquet into any range of the overall wedding design.
Anemones
The meaning of anemones is fragility, emotionality and innocence. These flowers are really very delicate, and therefore a bouquet with them should be held extremely carefully and placed in a vase as soon as possible. These inconveniences are more than made up for by their exciting appearance.
The combination of peonies and anemones is the most romantic, touching, almost reverent. It is suitable for dreamy, modest brides, thin and short. Paired with a simple flowy dress, the accessory will create a truly ethereal look.
Anemones come in many colors – there are both pastel and bright colors. Scarlet or purple anemones will fit perfectly into both pink and rich red bouquets of peonies.
Orchids
The orchid is a very aristocratic flower, meaning fidelity, elegance, and prosperity.
Interesting two-tone colors allow you to create unusual combinations; for example, you can choose peonies of the same shade as the core of its exotic neighbor.
The palette of orchids is very extensive; there are buds with edging or flirty spots. Bouquets in one color look very stylish, for example, pure white or diluted only with a contrasting orchid core. The cascade form is ideal for this combination. She will turn the bouquet into a real work of art, and the bride into a fairy-tale princess from a distant southern country.
An orchid, just like a rose or a lily, does not tolerate any proximity in a vase. The flower releases toxic substances that poison other plants. Therefore, if you want the bouquet to last longer, you will have to separate the flowers.
What do you need to know?
Peonies are suitable for spring and summer weddings, because you can find them on store shelves only in late spring and early summer - which is considered the season. At this time there are a lot of them, they are varied, and the price is very low.
It is worth remembering that these plants must be handled with extreme care and precision. They are afraid of both cold and heat - in such conditions they quickly bloom, and therefore can become disheveled and wither. They also don’t live long without water, so don’t forget to ask to add a sponge with water to the composition.
The stem of the flower should be dense and thick, and the leaves should be fresh, the cut edge of the peony should be green; if it is darkened, this indicates that the plant has been standing in water for a long time.
Palette of colors:
- soft pink;
- beige;
- lemon;
- dark red;
- yellow;
- white;
- wine red;
- deep pink;
- bright raspberry;
- soft peach;
- lilac;
- orange;
- burgundy;
- cream;
- fuchsia colors;
- blue;
- purple;
- coral
What do the shades symbolize:
- white represents the innocence, purity and sincere feelings of the couple;
- pink ones are considered a symbol of material wealth and respect in the family;
- rich tones of red and burgundy speak of the passion, devotion and sensuality of the newlyweds;
- yellow has a double meaning: on the one hand, it means misfortune and quarrel, and on the other, incredible fun, carefree days and vibrant energy.
The symbolism of the flowers themselves:
- Greece is considered the birthplace of peonies, where people treat them as a talisman against the evil eye and all evil;
- according to the Chinese interpretation, it is a plant of the sun, which brings financial success and prosperity;
- The Japanese believe that bouquets with peonies promise fertility and untold wealth;
- Mediterranean countries believe that such flowers bring joy, a good future and hope for happiness;
- Among Europeans, including in Russia, it is believed that a bridal bouquet made with peonies will bring the newlyweds a happy married life, strong relationships and family well-being.
Adviсe
- Tall newlyweds will look better with cascading bouquets, and short ones with classic round ones.
- For thin brides, a not very voluminous wedding composition is just right, but for plump ones, on the contrary, a larger and more curvaceous one is suitable.
- Bouquets of soft pink or red go well with the bride's snow-white dress, and pastel-colored peonies go great with beige, milky, silver, ivory or ivory.
- A round bouquet goes well with a lush outfit, and an elongated cascading bouquet goes well with a straight cut.
- It is good to dilute a composition of purple shades with yellow, purple or pale pink plants.
- Red tones look great in the hands of brunettes, pastels are ideal for blondes, and redheads should give preference to purple colors with a lot of greenery.
- For a vintage celebration it is good to choose a round-shaped flower arrangement, and for an eco-wedding - a cascading one.
Color spectrum
An absolutely white bouquet remains an ageless classic. A small amount of greenery or bright accents, of course, will make it more lively and fresh, but even in its pure form, white monochrome looks magical, adding trepidation and innocence to the bride. This clean dye goes well with a traditional white or off-white outfit.
Idea! For a dress in shades of ivory or champagne, a more delicate cream bouquet is better suited. It is not forbidden to complement it with blue, light pink, yellow flowers.
The next most popular is a pink bouquet. Peonies are presented in a whole palette of this shade: from powdery to purple. The first ones are suitable for a delicate vintage look if you try to dilute them with small white flowers. The second is for the more romantic and feminine. Bright fuchsia looks extremely stylish, especially in combination with smaller flowers of yellow or purple tones.
A red bouquet will suit bright, confident brides. This hot color looks especially good on brunettes. Be sure to add an accessory to your look that matches the bouquet - it could be lipstick, shoes, earrings.
Such attention to detail will definitely not go unnoticed. A burgundy bouquet looks incredibly luxurious, regardless of what flowers are included in it. This is a royal color that requires an appropriate frame, so if you choose it, then focus the rest of your look on elegance rather than charm.
An even more saturated color bouquet will be made from purple flowers - such a composition is perfectly diluted with yellow, blue, and pink shades. A light and fresh duet of purple and cream. Rare blue peonies will cause everyone's delight, because they are wonderful both solo and framed by blue or white flowers.
Important Tips
- The bouquet must be included in the overall concept of the holiday and the image of the bride. To do this, you should add a certain number of elements in tone - jewelry, makeup, nail polish, handbag, table or hall decor;
- A fabulous ensemble will turn out if the groom’s suit is in blue tones. As a last resort, a boutonniere that echoes the bouquet is possible;
- In poor lighting, blue and green inevitably blend together. To prevent this from happening, and for your photos to delight you with clear lines, add a little white or light blue. Such a solution will improve the texture of the accessory and make it much more interesting;
- Don’t be afraid to add additional colors - purple, yellow, red, blue, but remember about harmony - it is not recommended to use more than three pure shades;
- A good idea is to add seasonal elements to the bouquet. In the spring, an unforgettable picture will be created by fluffy willow twigs, in the summer - ears of corn just beginning to swell, in the autumn - a variety of fruits, berries and fruits, in the winter - weightless clouds of cotton, moss, bluish needles;
- Any manipulations with the shape, color and decoration on the buds themselves reduce the lifespan of the flowers. Take this into account if you want, for example, glamelia of blue roses with pearls.
Idea! In difficult situations, artificial flowers made of silk, felt or paper will come to the rescue. They definitely won’t wither even during the longest day.
Shape: small, cascade, pomander, rosemelia
When choosing a form, focus on the theme of the wedding, the general image of the bride and her external characteristics:
- cascades with an abundance of greenery are good for tall girls , classic round ones, pomander, rosamelia are good for short girls;
- thin brides should not choose too voluminous compositions , because they will distract attention from the hostess of the celebration, but overweight brides should not choose too thin and modest options;
- vintage style goes better with rounded lines of the bouquet , eco-wedding - with a cascade.
Peonies hold their shape well, but if you make a ball out of them, don’t forget about a sponge, because these capricious plants can endure drought for several hours at most, after which they will lose their charming appearance.
Features of ranunculus
Ranunculus, or, as they are more commonly called in Russia, buttercups, have beautiful, lush buds of different shapes and colors and are very popular among wedding florists.
They come in two versions: rose-like (reminiscent of large roses, but twice as large) and peony-like (the same petals concave inwards). Both of them have a heavy bud and thin long stems, so when assembling a bouquet they are strengthened with thick wires or additional frames. Ranunculus have a delicate, unobtrusive aroma that will harmonize well with any perfume.
Pink peonies and yellow ranunculus
These flowers are seasonal; in Moscow they can be purchased from October-November to May. Alas, in the summer ranunculi are completely unavailable, which means that only brides of the autumn-spring season and those whose wedding falls in the winter will be able to please themselves with such a luxurious bouquet.
One of the main advantages of ranunculus over other flowers is its amazing stability. These flowers do not fade for one and a half months without feeding. Despite the fact that they grow mainly in swampy areas and are accustomed to high humidity, in our dry climate the flower perfectly retains its original appearance.
Advantages:
- Variety of shapes for every wedding theme
- Many colors and shades
- Pleasant, light aroma
- They don't wither for long
- Exclusive (due to its not widespread)
Flaws:
- Seasonality (flower not available in summer)
- High cost of the bouquet
Here are a few more flowers that you should definitely pay attention to when choosing a wedding bouquet: freesias, daisies, lilies, hydrangeas, peonies, roses, wildflowers, orchids, callas, gerberas.
Decor
You can decorate a bouquet of peonies with a wide variety of accessories - fabric, lace, satin ribbons.
Idea! Rhinestones that imitate dew drops or small beads look touching. For example, a pastel bouquet is perfectly complemented by matching artificial pearls.
More specific elements are also acceptable - feathers, butterflies, stars, hearts. They can be either bright accents or support the overall scheme of the bouquet.
Seasonality
The peony season is limited: it begins in May, peaks in June, and begins to gradually decline in the subsequent summer months. At flower markets and bases, peonies begin to appear in early spring, but it is worth keeping in mind that out of season and at the beginning of it, the price can increase 3-5 times.
Peony symbolism
A wedding is a complex of ritual events, the task of which is not only to unite two loving hearts, but also to create a reliable family in which a man and woman can jointly confront any difficulties in life, give birth and raise children. Based on this concept, a wedding bouquet is a kind of amulet of the family hearth, which attracts all the good things into the house (luck, joy, health, material well-being) and becomes a reliable barrier for all the bad things (illness, betrayal, mistrust, lies, poverty).
It is important what flowers the bride chooses for her holiday bouquet: each flower has its own symbolism, its own ritual meaning
Quite simple and popular in everyday life, previously not in great demand at wedding celebrations, peonies are considered flowers that can protect the hearth from various evil spirits, the evil eye, and envy. Eastern peoples revere the peony as a symbol of the sun , warmth, wealth, strong relationships and all kinds of well-being. It is believed that peony has healing properties, and can heal not only physical ailments, but also mental ones.
Photo of a bouquet of burgundy peonies