Here's how to incorporate these gorgeous (and sentimental) blooms into your wedding day.
Updated on November 16, 2025 12:05PM
Photo by Steph Sorenson
Key Takeaways
Incorporate garden roses and peonies, which symbolize romance and good fortune, into your wedding bouquets.
Enhance your wedding centerpieces with orchids and sweet peas for a touch of elegance and blissful pleasure.
Consider using daisies and hydrangeas to add playful cheerfulness and heartfelt emotion to your special day.
When you're selecting your wedding flowers, you may pay close attention to their color, size, and seasonality. Yet whether you choose to mix and match different blooms or stick to just one or two florals, consider taking the meaning behind each one into account. In doing so, you'll incorporate another sentimental aspect into your celebration. And while we love the uniqueness that vibrant hues and modern-style flowers bring to such an affair, some couples also opt to tie romantic blooms into their fête for a heartwarming touch.
Meet the Expert
- Shean Strong is the owner and floral designer behind Shean Strong, a wedding planning and floral design company based in Atlanta, Georgia.
- Amanda Theodoropoulos is the co-owner of Twisted Willow Flowers, a mother-daughter team focused on garden-style wedding arrangements.
"Whether hand-selecting specific blooms for your wedding day or trusting your designer to bring a vision to fruition, we can all agree flowers are one of many important contributions in creating a beautiful wedding day," says Shean Strong, a floral designer and the owner of Shean Strong. "Choosing romantic flowers for your day creates a level of sophistication and timelessness to the overall feeling. You will happily be able to look back 10, 20, 50 years from now and see the classic beauties still being used."
Read on for 15 of the most romantic flowers, along with their special meanings.
01 of 15
Garden Roses
Photo by John Dolan
Known for their size and shape, garden roses are considered to be fuller and fluffier than a traditional rose. However, they exude just as much romance as the classic bloom. "Garden roses are an expected romantic flower," says Amanda Theodoropoulos, the co-owner of Twisted Willow Flowers. "Flowers help exude romance in their pairings, shapes, and color combinations. Using more romantic blooms with the addition of candles really pushes the overall vibe towards romance."
02 of 15
Peonies
Photo by Camera Shi Photography
While peonies are a known favorite of brides and grooms, the fact that these blooms symbolize a happy relationship and serve as an omen of good fortune make them more relevant to such an affair. "Garden roses, Japanese anemone, sweet pea, and peony are some of the timeless romantics that not only come in a variety of colors but are full of potential for new ways to make these beauties seem fresh and new," Strong says.
03 of 15
Carnations
Photo by A Bitter Orange Photography
As one of the most familiar blooms, you've likely gifted carnations to a loved one at some point. However, this type of flower is also perfect for your big day. Appearing in a variety of hues, including pink, red, and white, they represent playfulness, affection, and true love, making them a beautiful addition to any wedding.
04 of 15
Orchids
Photo by Andrea Camarena
Orchids exude elegance in a way unlike any other bloom. However, this beautiful flower also represents love, strength, and charm, making them a truly romantic choice. Whether you choose to incorporate them into a bouquet on their own or add them to a centerpiece, they'll make a stunning addition to your big day.
05 of 15
Gardenias
Photo by Erich Mcvey
A sweet-scented bloom with star-shaped petals, gardenias symbolize beauty, hope, purity, and love. Add this romantic flower to a boutonniere or to a bridal bouquet for a touch of texture and uniqueness.
06 of 15
Tulips
Photo by Demi Mabry
A tulip is a symbol of deep love, Strong says. This springtime bloom represents beauty and grace—and appears in a variety of colors, including white, pink, yellow, and red. As a sign of enduring love, this flower is the perfect pick to feature in a bouquet or on your reception tables.
07 of 15
Sweet Peas
Photo by Kyle John Photography
As a result of their soft petals and small size, sweet peas represent a romantic and cottagecore aesthetic. "Sweet pea means blissful pleasure," says Strong. Enchanting and vibrant, they're the perfect addition to a bouquet or a centerpiece.
08 of 15
Clematis
Photo by Adonye Jaja
Clematis is a vine that flowers with blooms in a variety of shades, including white, purple, pink, and yellow. Symbolizing ingenuity, wisdom, and aspiration, this floral provides texture to any bouquet or centerpiece. "Blooms like sweet pea, clematis, and ranunculus are romantic in their shape and the movement they give the arrangements," says Theodoropoulos.
09 of 15
Ranunculus
Photo by Olivia Christina Photography
A truly unique flower, thanks to its intricate shape, ranunculus features layers of petals, making it a charming addition to a bouquet or centerpiece. This bloom radiates beauty and symbolizes grace, elegance, and pure love.
10 of 15
Anemones
Photo by Jeremy Chou
Anemones make a subtle—yet stunning—statement as a result of their large, delicate petals and bold center. Whether you choose to include this flower in a bouquet or display it on its own in a boutonniere, know that it symbolizes anticipation and fragility. The white version of this bloom represents sincerity.
11 of 15
Cherry Blossoms
Photo by Lacie Hansen Photography
It’s impossible to ignore the beauty of cherry blossoms when they start to bloom. In addition to having a sweet scent, this springtime floral represents love, strength, and appreciation. Consider incorporating them into your cake design or use branches from them to create a simple, rustic-inspired centerpiece.
12 of 15
Hydrangeas
Photo by Sophie Epton
Known for their unique texture and fullness, hydrangeas are a summertime floral comprised of dainty petals that exude romance, elegance, and a classic style. As for their special meaning? These blooms symbolize heartfelt emotion.
13 of 15
Daisies
Photo by Daniel Kim
Due to their tiny white petals and bright yellow centers, daisies are known for their playful and cheerful appearance. These romantic flowers symbolizing true love and new beginnings. Include them in a whimsical wildflower bouquet for additional color and texture—or use them to garnish desserts or drinks.
14 of 15
Lilies of the Valley
Photo by Rachel Havel
The most popular choice for royal weddings, lily of the valley has stood the test of time as a classic and beloved wedding floral. Charming and sweet, this flowering bell-shaped bloom represents purity and joy.
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Traditional Roses
PHOTO BY D'ARCY BENINCOSA
Whether in a bouquet or centerpiece, traditional roses still shine as wedding flowers. As the original romantic bloom, regardless of the shade you select, know that such a floral symbolizes love. However, each color has a different meaning. Red represents passion, and pink means gratitude, while white roses symbolize purity and grace.
