Roses, orchids and callas are traditional leaders in wedding flower arrangements. Fourth place on the list is occupied by a wedding bouquet of lilies.
A beautiful bud, delicate and delicate aroma, year-round sale draw the attention of brides to an exquisite, noble flower.
Lily is a symbol of love and devotion, signifying the groom’s admiration for his future wife. Historically, the lily was an attribute of royal power. The Slavs called her the “princess of flowers” and used her as a talisman. In Ancient Rome, the flower grew near the houses of wealthy citizens, therefore it was a symbol of wealth. Jewish beliefs say that at the time of the Fall in the Garden of Eden, the plant retained its immaculate appearance. From Greek, the word “lily” is translated as “frankness, decency, purity.”
Variety of shades
In the classic version, the basis of the bouquet is white buds. In order to emphasize the special character of the celebration, the beauty of the wedding dress, or to “play” in contrast, bouquets of the following flowers are used.
- Yellow. Associated with mischief and coquetry. This bouquet will suit a cream outfit and will be an excellent accessory for a “lemon” wedding, the main color scheme of which consists of various shades of yellow;
- Tiger lilies match the bride's outrageous style and highlight a bold, tight outfit. A catchy, attention-grabbing bouquet;
- Golden. Elegant brides who want to stand out in a luxurious setting, emphasize their status and excellent taste, can choose a golden bouquet of lilies;
- Orange. A bouquet of orange lilies is suitable for optimistic and restless natures, good paired with a white dress;
- Scarlet lilies are a replacement for traditional roses, creating a visual contrast with a snow-white wedding dress;
- Blue. Unusual cool shade. Noble and sublime. The sophistication of the owner will be emphasized by blue flowers and will add mystery to the appearance;
- Pink. The tenderness and romance of the bride’s image will be highlighted by a bouquet of pink flowers with beautiful buds.
Lilies in the bride's bouquet will emphasize the solemnity of the moment and the ardor of the feelings of the bride and groom. Choose a variety to suit your taste or take the advice of professional florists.
Meaning and symbolism
The interpretation also depends on the color of the petals:
- white lilies are a symbol of the Virgin Mary, purity, purity and harmony;
- yellow - promise wealth and prosperity to the new family;
- orange ones speak of the coquetry and mischievous nature of the owner of a bright bouquet;
- brindle - suitable for a confident optimist who wants abundance in her family life;
- red , in addition to passion, also means truly royal greatness;
- blue - purity of thoughts and nobility;
- pink – gentle tranquility.
Interesting! In Ancient Greece, flowers were considered a symbol of the goddess of the hearth, Hera, and in the Middle Ages, a lily given to a woman literally meant “you are my queen.”
Bride's image
As for the style of outfits, lilies are ideal for a formal atmosphere. The newlywed can wear a simple satin dress or a fluffy one with a tight bodice.
As accessories you can use a headband or tiara, a large brooch, a hairpin, pearl beads, a velvet cloth, or a veil hat. It is better to choose classic shoes - pumps, stilettos, boots or wedding boots with medium heels. Those who do not want to burden themselves with high-heeled shoes should pay attention to simple patent leather ballet flats or a model decorated with lace. The theme of lilies can be present in the design of the boutonniere for the groom, unless otherwise provided by the motifs of the wedding decor.
Amateur performance
Finally, inspired by the wedding photographs I’ve seen, I find it necessary to share a few cautions. Very often, going too far with amateur activities, couples refuse an invitation to a professional photographer to their wedding. They justify themselves by having a good camera from Tolik/Vasya from the second floor/talented nephew, which often creates some incidents.
Let's clarify:
- Take care about the composition of the shot. You need to focus on what should be the center of the composition, and not on the surprised face of your sister in the back or the dog in the background. Particular attention should be paid to ensuring that there are no cropped hands, faces or outfits in the frame;
- Think about the background in advance. I think we have all seen more than once birch trees growing from the tops of our heads and trash cans on our left shoulder. And even if it was funny for you to contemplate this in other people’s photos, then it is better to avoid such options in your own;
- Choose a good time of day to shoot. Remember that the light at lunchtime is too bright and, accordingly, makes you look old; at night everything is no longer in a state to qualify for good photographs; but against the backdrop of dawn or sunset, everything will turn out more than just perfect;
- Choose a good angle. Remember the strange productions “sun in hand”, “groom under the heel”? So, this is not only unfashionable, but even humiliating. You don't want to accumulate thousands of unflattering comments online;
- Experiment with poses, whatever that means...
Florist
Don't go overboard with the number of lilies! There shouldn't be many of them. Otherwise, the natural beauty of the flower is lost. Polynova Natalia
The lily itself is quite fragrant. If the bride is allergic to pollen or sensitive to odors, you should consider whether this idea is worth considering. Experienced florists choose varieties that do not cause negative reactions.
This is especially true when someone from the immediate environment (groom, witnesses, bridesmaid, etc.) reacts to this flower with a runny nose, irritation of the mucous membranes and cannot tolerate strong aromas.
Unforgettable Veronica
For brides who prefer small details, we recommend Veronica. Despite their small size, twigs of these flowers can form the basis of a composition. Veronicas are perfect for sentimental brides; they will help restrain unnecessary emotions at the wrong moment and increase the feeling of joy and self-confidence. Due to some variety of colors, speedwells allow you to create a flowing composition with transitions. The meaning of these colors ranges from wisdom to kindness.
Composition options
Lilies can be the soloist in a bouquet, serve as a background for other flowers, and add dynamics to a composition of several elements. At the same time, the most attractive and refined bouquets are obtained from lilies of one or several colors.
Monobouquet
White lilies are a traditional element of a wedding celebration, along with white roses. It will suit any wedding dress in white, cream or butter color and will make a bright and dynamic pair with a dress of a bright shade. How to make a mono bouquet with your own hands?
- First, cut the stems and arrange the flowers in a bouquet so that you get a round “cap”.
- Cut off leaves that are too long and disrupt the harmony of the composition. They should not clutter the buds.
- Cover the flowers with glitter using a spray.
- When adding decorative elements (beads, decorative stones, rhinestones, butterflies, hearts, etc.) to the petals, use transparent glue.
- Tie the stems with a pastel colored ribbon (you can choose beige, pink or the main shade of the dress) to create a beautiful bow.
With chrysanthemums
To dilute the mono composition and make it more “homey” and cozy, you can add chrysanthemums to the bottom tier - for example, as in the photo above. A good combination of such bouquets is demonstrated with various ribbons, floral mesh, crystals, artificial buds made of fabric, craft paper, modeling mass, etc.
Lilies retain their attractiveness for 2-3 days. If handled carelessly, creases and cracks may form on the petals. Defects are especially noticeable on light-colored buds. Caring for flowers is an important component of the beauty of the composition and presentable appearance
Interesting! Many brides ask the question “why is it generally customary to make a bouquet for a wedding?” We answered it in this article.
With roses
Florists often use noble and exquisite roses as a partner for lilies. Complementing each other well, these flowers have many shades. They are “played out” in different ways, and the result is, for example, such a delicate wedding bouquet of lilies and roses, the photo of which is below.
You can use one of the following options.
- Pink and white – this wedding bouquet of lilies and roses will suit almost any bride’s outfit in classic shades.
- White roses and pink lilies will add romance. They make a more “playful” bouquet, which can be complemented with a string of pearls, sparkles, and velvet ribbon.
- A composition made of pink flowers goes well with a white and cream bride's dress, and is combined with a pink range of outfits and decorative elements.
The most decorative varieties
Not all types of luxurious perennials are equally good in flower arrangements. Among all the diversity, experts recommend choosing Asian and Oriental hybrids. The former are distinguished by their bright, exotic color and are almost odorless. The second ones are larger, with a refined shape and a rich, sweetish aroma. Also of interest are long-flowered hybrids with elongated cups resembling a gramophone.
Marlene is an Asian variety with a soft pink color. Ideal in wedding bouquets or interior compositions. The aroma is subtle and fresh. The petals look like Japanese porcelain.
Annamarie's Dream - snow-white, less often cream, double flowers with dark burgundy stamens. Perfect for compositions with different types of plants.
Black Out is a dark red variety with dense glossy petals. Very beautiful in bouquets for special occasions, such as anniversaries or birthdays.
Lollуpop is a favorite of florists. Large white buds with raspberry tips are impressive and especially popular with brides.
Lovely Girl is the most beautiful oriental hybrid. Cream flowers with a yellow center and golden specks do not require additional decoration. They are used to make mono-bouquets, including wedding ones.
Forms
The bride's bouquet differs not only in content, but also in shape. The following types of compositions are distinguished.
- Round. Several flowers are fixed on a round base. Pairs with a fluffy dress of any length.
- Hemisphere. One of the most popular options. The bouquet is round from above, voluminous from the side. Suitable for petite girls in fluffy dresses.
- Spherical. A ball is collected from flowers and secured with a ribbon on the wrist or worn as a handbag. Ideal for tall girls in tight dresses. The advantage of this form is the tight connection of the buds, which helps preserve the “sales appearance”.
- Glamelia. One large “bud”, hand-picked from petals of several flowers. The best partner is a short or long fluffy dress.
- Scepter. For a bouquet, use several flowers tied with a ribbon. The composition will decorate the magnificent wedding dress of a tall and stately young lady.
- Cascade. The bouquet looks like a waterfall. Several elements fall from the base. This shape is good for decorating a bouquet for a tall and slender bride.
- Vertical, on a rigid frame. Suitable for tall girls, perfectly in harmony with a straight long dress.
Also in the arsenal of florists are bouquets-muffs, bouquets-umbrellas, and at the peak of popularity - flower arrangements of lilies on a long stem.
To prevent the bouquet from losing its shape, you need to do the following.
- Immerse the flowers in an aqueous solution of sugar and aspirin (30 grams of sugar and 1-2 tablets per liter of water) - the buds will become denser. For additional disinfection, use pine extracts. Remove faded buds so that the bouquet gains strength. Do not be afraid of a specific smell during the procedure.
- Design or purchase an “oasis” for a bouquet - an element placed inside a mesh and soaked in water, placed on a comfortable leg.
- Make the lower tier out of leaves, sticking them into the “oasis”. Next, the flowers are arranged in a circle.
- As additional elements, use twigs, background decorative elements and flowers, strings of beads, rhinestones, sparkles, beads, thematic and plot pictures and patterns that you can simply download. Wedding bouquets with lilies will become brighter and more elegant.
- Decorate the bouquet with ribbons. “Oasis” should not give away its presence and is carefully disguised.
- For large inflorescences, it is good to use special hairpins.
Other options
For a round bouquet of lilies, you can use gerberas as an addition. Lilies are also good in combination with daisies, irises, delphinium, bells, and bush carnations.
A popular decoration for a bouquet is fern leaves. Lily stems do not create the required volume. Different types of greenery allow you to achieve a more sophisticated shape for the bride and groom's bouquet.
Poppies, cornflowers, daisies are examples of unsuccessful combinations for lilies. Within the framework of the Provence or “country” style, it is worth thinking about a less pretentious basis for the bouquet.
If the wedding is taking place in late spring, match the bride's dress with a wedding bouquet of white lilies and blue (or purple) irises. This composition looks good in the form of a sphere or hemisphere, tied with a ribbon without using a holder.
For the “cascade” you can choose white lilies and pink orchids, complementing the bouquet with decorative greenery.
Advantages and disadvantages
A wedding bouquet must be perfect, so when choosing, you need to weigh all the pros and cons of flowers.
Among the positive features of lilies are:
- availability in any season;
- a huge palette of varieties and colors;
- sufficient endurance - flowers will definitely last several days after the wedding;
- fabulous and elegant appearance;
- a specific bright aroma: if you like notes of lily in perfumes, you will be delighted.
The flower also has disadvantages:
- lilies will not get along in a vase with anyone, as they emit a toxic substance that poisons their neighbors;
- the petals are very fragile and completely unstable to frost, that is, only artificial lilies are suitable for a winter wedding;
- flowers have bright pollen, which easily spills out of the buds: in order not to stain the dress, you should be careful, remove the stamens or treat them with a special product;
- The strong aroma may cause allergies or headaches.
Do it yourself
Using a wedding bouquet of lilies as a basis, the “glamelia” composition, so popular among modern brides, can be made with your own hands a few hours before the special event, having prepared the necessary materials and tools in advance.
- A dense spherical pillow, which acts as a frame, is covered with fabric, then a wire decorated with green paper with a corrugated texture is attached to it. The excess ends of the wire are cut off with wire cutters. The pillow is the middle of the bud, the wire is the stem.
- Lily buds are taken apart and coated with varnish. Now they need to be attached to the pillow, starting from the bottom, and passed in a circle.
- The composition is fixed with a special composition and decorated according to the style of the bride’s wedding dress and the theme of the celebration.
Order flowers of the required varieties in advance (at least 14 days in advance). Otherwise, there is a risk of not waiting for them in the flower salon.
Fruit bouquet
The edible composition evokes delight and a smile. It is made using fruits, berries and leaves. Citrus fruits, bananas, grapes and other fruits are suitable for such a bouquet.
All fruits are washed, peeled and dried. To give the components a beautiful appearance, they are left for some time in a gelatin solution.
Photos of fruit bouquets will help you find your interesting idea. Do not use overripe fruits. It is better to choose copies without visible defects.
Place such bouquets in a basket or low vase. The selected container should have a special material at the bottom into which skewers with fruit are stuck.
Summary
There are many varieties of these flowers, but not all of them can be used to create a bouquet of lilies for a wedding. It is advisable to obtain specialist advice in advance regarding the durability of flowers, smell and other characteristics.
In general, lilies withstand cold and bad weather well, remaining “in shape” for a long time.
When composing any bouquet, remember the main rule - it should be comfortable.
If the bride is short, a massive bouquet will look inappropriate and “weight” the image. Lily buds are quite dense, but at the same time light. They are loved in many countries and create many interesting combinations with different types of plants.
Irina Vasilyeva
Wedding fairy
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Varieties of lilies for bouquets
Some hybrids are most often used when creating bouquets.
Asian
They have small but wide flowers and an unobtrusive scent. They can be painted in different colors: red, pink, yellow, purple, snow-white, orange. The most popular varieties: “purple heart”, “lollipop”, “elodie”, “santander”, “purple eye”.
Eastern
They have large flowers and a pronounced aroma with spicy and sweet notes. The most popular varieties include “soft music”, “santander”, “salmon star”, “stargazer”.
curly
Tall lilies with turban-shaped inflorescences that look like bells. Most often they are painted in red-orange tones, but snow-white varieties are also found. Commonly used lilies for bouquets are Gaybird, Terrace City, Arabian Knight and Claude Shride.
Tubular
They are sold less frequently, as they are rather fastidious plants. The shining yellow “Golden Splendor”, pink-lilac “Pink Perfection” and orange “African Queen” are especially in demand.
Long-flowered
Graceful snow-white flowers look fragile and delicate. They have a subtle unobtrusive aroma. The most popular varieties are “white elegans” and “white haven”.