Rose Color Meanings: What To Pick For Your Wedding Bouquet

Rose Color Meanings: What To Pick For Your Wedding Bouquet
Lesley Turner_Wedding Hashers Guest Author

Lesley Turner

Published: Oct 26, 2022

Last Updated: Nov 9, 2022

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Are rose color meanings a real thing?

Do the color of roses really symbolize something or have different meanings?

Most would probably think that roses are just pretty, but they also have unique rose meanings.

Known as an international symbol of love, roses are one of the world’s most diverse flowers with hundreds of species, many varieties, and many colors.

But did you know that the different colors of roses have a meaning or symbolize something?

Choosing the right flowers plays a considerable role in your big day because it’s the anchor for the wedding color scheme

Guide To Rose Colors And Their Meanings  

While popular wedding flowers like ranunculus, lily of the valley, and peonies are great options, there’s one bloom that radiates beauty and has symbolized romance for ages: Roses.

When planning your wedding, many decisions have to be made, which can affect the budget, and flowers certainly are one of them. And depending on which ones and how many you choose, the cost of wedding flowers can get out of control.

Flowers play a significant role in infusing personality and setting the tone for your wedding ceremony and reception.

Roses symbolize love and are the original romantic flower, but the individual colors also have unique meanings.

Understanding what each color means or represents allows you to infuse more meaning and significance into your wedding blooms. 

Here’s a helpful guide to understanding rose color meanings. 

guide to rose color meanings infographic by wedding hashers

Red Roses

Red roses symbolize love and passion and are the most classic romantic flower.

From Valentine’s Day to wedding day, and any other day where you want to share your romantic love…red roses are the way to do it. 

instagram photo of red rose

The red rosebuds represent purity and beauty.

Red roses are associated with romance, love, beauty, and bravery. They give the perfect splash of vibrant pops of color to bouquets and centerpieces for fall wedding or a winter wedding. But, heck…we think they’re perfect any time of year. 

Red roses are the way to go if you’re going for a classic or traditional wedding or a swanky black-tie affair

White Roses

White roses are one of the most popular flowers you’ll see at weddings, especially in a bridal bouquet.

And there’s a reason why white roses are popular for wedding bouquets.

White roses stand for faithfulness, innocence, and purity. 

photo of growing white roses on instagram

They can also represent new beginnings, a fresh start, and eternal love making them perfect for weddings. You may also think about selecting spectacular floral installations or floral arrangements that let the white roses speak for themselves.

White roses are a great option if you want beautiful blooms that are understated but oh-so-pretty.

They’re perfect for luxury, intimate, outdoor weddings…or anywhere you want to tie the knot. 

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Yellow Roses

Yellow roses symbolize joy and friendship.

The warmth and vibrancy of the yellow color are cheerful and infuse a level of excitement into your spirit. You can’t help but feel happy and joyful when yellow roses are around. 

instagram reel showing yellow rose bush

And since weddings are filled with friendship and joy, there’s no better rose for your special day.

Yellow roses are popular in Spring and Summer weddings and beautiful for boho and desert-themed weddings.

Pink Roses

In the language of flowers, roses in shades of deep and hot pink or dark pink are a lovely way to express gratitude, appreciation, and acknowledgment.

However, the attributes of elegance, gentleness, joy, and happiness are more frequently linked with light pink roses.

moody image of pink rose

But pink roses also symbolize elegance, sweetness, femininity, and refinement.

They’re perfect for outdoor or garden, beach, and luxury weddings.

Say “I Love You” With The Color Of Your Roses

Blue Roses

The color blue is trendy for bridal bouquets.

Blue bouquet flowers are symbolic of dependability and reliability.

Since the sky and the sea are shades of blue and constants in nature and daily life, blue is the hue that stands for dedication and steadfastness. Blue bouquet flowers come in various blooms and symbolize commitment and trust.

malta blue roses in a bouquet photo

Peach Roses

Peach roses just make us happy.

They’re soft and pretty and can be mixed and matched with various other flowers to create gorgeous wedding flowers.

Peach roses represent truthfulness, sincerity, thanks, and sweetness. We love how they offer a punch of soft hues and inspire joy because they’re so pretty.

It’s incredible to learn these rose color meanings.

bouquet of peach roses by genie.floral

You can use peach roses in spring and summer weddings, outdoor affairs, tropical, and boho weddings. 

Orange Roses

When you want a flower that offers a bit of drama and bold pops of color, orange roses are it.

Orange roses symbolize liveliness, love, friendship, passion, loyalty, happiness, and gratitude.

When you want a sophisticated yet strikingly different atmosphere, use these orange roses in various floral arrangements.

photo of orange corsages

From bridal party bouquets to ceremony arches and installations, orange roses are simply beautiful.

We especially love them in tropical, desert-themed, or boho weddings.

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Ivory Roses

Ivory roses are an excellent choice for couples that want a classy, elegant look, but don’t want stark white roses.

These ivory roses are a soft, muted tone and symbolize luxury, grace, elegance, and charm. They’re perfect for grand or luxury weddings. 

screenshot of ivory rose and floral wedding bouquet

Green Roses

Green roses may not be the first thing that pops into your mind when you hear the word “rose.”

However, sending someone a bouquet of green roses is a traditional way to express happiness and hope for new beginnings.

These roses also represent rebirth and rejuvenation—the revival of one’s life and spirit—because green is the color of nature.

The green rose is regarded as a traditional symbol of luck as well. That sounds like an excellent choice for wedding roses, right?

lime green roses on bush photo

Lavender Roses

Lavender roses or purple roses, these blooms are a romantic and whimsical choice to symbolize how wonderful and enchanting true love can be!

There’s something truly magical about a lavender rose.

Maybe it’s the soft but vibrant hue or how perfectly they look mixed with other flowers. Lavender roses are just beautiful.

A sweet and simple flower that makes a big statement. 

lifestyle shot of lavender roses on a table and ceramic pitcher

If you’re having a spring, summer, or backyard wedding, lavender roses will be a beautifully romantic theme. 

Black Roses

Giving a young bride black flowers on her wedding day was frowned upon during the Victorian era since they were thought to represent impending separation, misery, longing, and the inability to remain together.

But black roses can also signify rebirth or a significant change and are known to represent optimism and hope. 

black rose bouquet photo

Multicolored Roses

Ask your florist about multicolored roses if you want a beautiful, unexpected, unique flower.

Most roses only offer a single hue, but hybrid roses are multicolor. If you wish to combine meanings, multicolored roses are a unique wedding option

multicolored rose and floral arrangement for church wedding photo

For instance, a yellow rose with red edges might combine the meanings of friendship and love, and a multicolored rose with pink and yellow can represent warmth and joy.

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5 Tips For Choosing Your Wedding Bouquet

Your wedding bouquet is the most important bridal accessory on your wedding day.

And with thousands of flowers to choose from, different colors, and textures, it can be hard to find one that matches your style and love story.

So, we put together 5 tips to help you choose your wedding bouquet. 

1. Define Your Color Palette

One of the first things you should do when designing your bridal bouquet is to define your color palette.

As the bride, you can choose to have a monochromatic bouquet or a mixture of colors and flowers. But you first have to decide what the primary color will be.

It’s helpful to work with a florist to understand which flowers are in season and which look good together. With their help, you can create the perfect wedding bouquet for your special day. 

2. Consider The Exact Color Of Your Wedding Dress

Another thing you should consider is the color of your wedding dress.

If you’re wearing a solid ivory wedding dress, you may not want to have a wedding bouquet of ivory roses because everything will blend in together.

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Pro Tip: A bouquet with contrasting colors is a great way to showcase the beauty of your flowers and dress.

3. Find Out What Flowers Are In Season On Your Wedding

Wedding floral prices can quickly escalate and verge on busting the budget.

And one thing that increases the cost is if flowers are not in season and have to be shipped in from elsewhere.

So, make sure to speak with the florist to understand which flowers are in season at the time of your wedding. 

4. Pick A Bouquet Shape

There are many different shapes for wedding bouquets, so choosing one that fits your style is also essential.

Of course, personal preferences in style or shape should be considered, but you should also consider the style of your dress and the weight of the bouquet.

Yes! Many brides are shocked by the fact that bridal bouquets can be extremely heavy. And the larger they are, the heavier they’ll be. 

cute DIY fall wedding bouquet screenshot

5. Make It Personal

Personalizing your wedding bouquet is also a fantastic idea.

You can add sentimental items like family heirlooms, pieces of lace from your mother’s wedding dress, photos of a departed loved one, sentimental charms, and so much more. 

The wedding bouquet is like an extension of your soul, so you can and should make it unique to you and your journey in life.

Here are some other beautiful ideas for how to personalize your wedding bouquet.

Understanding the rose color meanings can help you design the perfect bridal bouquet for your wedding day.

DIY Wedding Bouquet

Every frugal bride is aware that she can save a lot of money by choosing to “DIY” certain aspects of her wedding.

A DIY Wedding Bouquet for your wedding day might not only save you money but can also give it that special, personalized touch.

You may significantly reduce your expenses by cutting back on bridal bouquets.

Your bridal bouquet or your bridesmaids’ bouquets can easily be DIY’d and it’s an awesome way to showcase your personality and creativity.

Shop at a local boutique for the perfect type of flowers and colors, then plan an event where you all can get together and put together your bouquets.

It’s a great pre-wedding event that you can enjoy with your tribe. 

A Symbol For Infinite Love

When you think of “romantic florals,” roses are the first thing to pop into your mind.

But, the reason they’re romantic far surpasses their beauty and sensual smell. 

From the hundreds of ads you see for Valentine’s Day or visions of rose petals strewn across the bed in a honeymoon suite, everyone always thinks of roses. 

While we adore gorgeous red roses, and they tend to be a popular choice for weddings, many other hues are available, including the entire rainbow.

Roses, especially red ones, are symbolic of romance, but the unconscious beauty of the rose in any color can express everlasting love.

From yellow roses to pale pink, ivory roses, coral roses, or traditional red roses…a rose is a rose, and it symbolizes eternal love.

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2 Comments

  • Julianna says:

    What an excellent read! The idea of giving someone black roses (or having them at a wedding) had never crossed my mind before. I always believed it was considered inappropriate, but it seems that nowadays, there are various trends and perspectives. Maybe I’m just a bit old-fashioned in my thinking 🙂

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