There is one flower that has been increasing in popularity in recent years, but should never be in a wedding bouquet according to experts
When planning your wedding choosing the right wedding flowers is a big decision, and is one that can require careful thought, especially when it comes to the meanings of each flower.
It’s these deeper meanings that make the flowers more sentimental, whether they’re in a bouquet or serving as centrepieces during the reception. Craig Wilson, the founder of Gardener’s Dream, has revealed which flowers should never be part of a wedding bouquet – including one that could be seen as a bad omen due to its history of being linked to betrayal.
While some believe dahlias to signify elegance, beauty and devotion, black and purple dahlias have traditionally been seen as a sign of a betrayal, meaning they are perhaps not the best choice for a wedding.
Black Dahlias have also been linked to the unsolved murder of Elizabeth Short in 1947, who became known as the ‘Black Dahlia’ in the aftermath of her gruesome death. Speaking about the flowers Craig said: “Dahlias are known to be a complicated flower but have gained popularity in wedding bouquets over the years.
“These flowers are most notably known for being tied to sadness and betrayal as well as the tragic story of The Black Dahlia. Despite these negative connotations, they have been featured prominently in autumn bouquets and flower arrangements.
“Rather than incorporating Dahlias, you could use chrysanthemum which represents longevity. Fitting for a wedding!”
Another flower that should not be used in weddings is the hydrangea as it was believed in medieval times that women who kept these flowers would not be able to find a partner.
Craig also highlights orange lillies as flowers that should be avoided, as these are thought to have a “sentiment of hatred and contempt”. Warning against sweet peas, Craig added: “Sweet peas are a super popular flower mostly used in centrepieces. However they are one that most probably won’t know have a darker meaning.
“Historically, sweet peas were known for farewells and goodbyes in Victorian England, so you might want to overlook this flower when adding it to your wedding arrangements.”
Similarly, marigolds should also be passed over when it comes to weddings, as they were regularly used as a symbol of death by Shakespeare and are the main flower for the Mexican cultural holiday of Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead).