The tradition of wearing flowers in the hair on a wedding day began many centuries ago; ancient Greek brides used to wear a floral crown of herbs and flowers such as rosemary and marjoram. The Romans too used floral crowns for weddings and it was tradition to place the crown on both bride and groom during the wedding ceremony. The floral crown was a symbol similar to that of exchanging wedding rings today; it was an unbroken ring of innocence, purity and eternity.
Today, floral wedding crowns are still traditional in many cultures; some Native American Indian brides wear crowns of maize, Norwegian brides wear white roses and Spanish brides wear bridal crowns of orange blossom. Hawaiian brides wear leis around the neck instead of a floral crown; the bride traditionally wears a lei of pikake (scented jasmine) and the groom wears one of maile (a fragrant vine).
Flower Styles for Bridal Hair
Today, flowers can be worn in any number of ways in a bride's hair, depending on the elaborateness of the chosen hairstyle. Choices include:
- Flowers Worn Loose – if a bride has long or short hair, flowers may be scattered loosely (and secured with a clip) throughout the hair. A number of small flowers may be used or, to make a statement, wear a couple of large flowers.
- Flowers in an Updo – bridal hair worn in an updo style can be secured with hair pins or clips and then finished with flowers, either scattered throughout the hair or secured in a cluster at the back of the hair.
- Flowers With a Bridal Veil – brides who choose to wear a traditional bridal veil can customize the veil with the addition of a few flowers secured at the front of the wedding veil, along the hair line.
- Bridal Hair Flowers and Jewelery – some brides wear jeweled hair clips and pins in the hair; to complement, add in a few flowers.
Many varieties of flowers may be chosen to complement bridal hair designs; wedding hair flowers can be chosen to co-ordinate with the flowers in the wedding bouquet, either by using the same flowers or co-ordinating colors. Beautiful, fragrant flowers will add to the wedding ambiance. Both bride and bridesmaids can wear the same or similar flowers in the hair.
Native flowers to the area in which the wedding is taking place can be chosen, following the tradition of local brides; for example many Asian brides choose red roses (for luck) but also native cherry blossom and orchids. Ideas for wedding hair flowers include:
- Rose
- Daisy
- Lily of the valley
- Peony
- Gardenia
- Jasmine
- Orchid
- Lilies
- Carnation
Color of Flowers for Wedding Hair
The Victorians popularized the meaning of flowers in a bouquet when exchanged between lovers; however, many cultures interpret the meaning of colors of flowers too. Some common color meanings for flowers include:
- Red rose – passion
- White rose – innocent love
- Pink roses– romantic love
- Red tulip – perfect love
- Purple tulip – royalty
- Orange blossom – chastity
- Carnation – pure love.
Different cultures may interpret the color of flowers differently; in China, red symbolizes luck and happiness whereas in Japan purple is the color of love. In Latin America, yellow, purple and white flowers are all symbols of funerals and death. In Spain, the species of flower becomes specific too; dahlias and chrysanthemums are said to be associated with death. Depending on culture, beliefs and tradition, flowers for bridal hair may be specific or personal in choice.
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