Herbal Wedding Bouquet

Start the bouquet off with greens for filler--here, euonymus. Cut the woody stems at an angle, so you can easily insert it into the bouquet holder. This bouquet will have a few trailing pieces of ivy, which will show up well against the bride's dress. Continue adding herbs to the bouquet--rosemary, lamb's ear, mint and sage. Use each of the herbs in groups of three or five. Although not an herb, veronica provides curled white spikes. Feverfew has an off-white flower that looks nice against either ivory or pure white. Long sprigs of southernwood lend a feathery texture and wonderful fragrance. Myrtle, lavender, pink roses and baby's breath complete the arrangement. Cut the roses under water for more longlasting effect. A lovely white ribbon finishes the bouquet. You can make this bouquet yourself or ask your florist to work with you to create one similar to it.

A unique aspect of this herbal bouquet is that after the wedding, the herbs can be dried and placed in a potpourri basket for the bride to keep as a remembrance of that special day. Also, some of the plants can be removed from the bouquet and used as cuttings to start houseplants that will live on in the family.

Here is a list of the flowers used to make the bouquet and an explanation of the special significance each one holds:

Ivy stands for friendship in this bouquet. Pieces from the bouquet can be rooted and grown as a houseplant, then "kept in the family" and used in future weddings.

Rosemary stands for remembrance and adds fragrance and silvery texture to the arrangement.

Lamb's ear was used in early history to dress wounds, and with its soft "furry" leaves it has the ability to soothe and calm just by stroking the soft foliage. Just the thing for a nervous bride!

Mint adds fragrance to the bouquet and, like ivy, can be rooted and grown as a keepsake. It spreads in the garden like crazy, so keep it in a pot.

Sage stands for the virtue of the bride.

Veronica adds a little height with its spiky white blooms.

Feverfew is good for headaches and may come in handy on the hectic big day!

Southernwood is another plant that adds fragrance and texture to the bouquet.

Myrtle, when used in a wedding, stands for fertility. The late Princess Diana had some of Queen Victoria's myrtle in her own wedding bouquet.

Lavender means best wishes for the bride and groom.

Roses stand for true love, of course. The variety used in this particular bouquet is Rosa 'Bridal Pink.'

Baby's breath fills in the gaps and adds a light, airy feeling to the completed bouquet.