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The original romantic flower holds different symbolism depending on the color you choose.
Updated on October 31, 2025 04:39PM
Photo by Elias Kordelakos
Key Takeaways
- Choosing red roses for your wedding can add passion and love to your special day.
- Use white roses in your bouquet to symbolize purity, loyalty, and fresh beginnings.
- Include vibrant orange roses to express gratitude and loyalty, bringing warmth to your celebration.
As far as wedding flowers go, there's no shortage of beautiful, fragrant, and meaningful options to choose from. Depending on the season in which you're tying the knot, you may plan to incorporate everything from peonies and lily of the valley to ranunculus and dahlias in your bouquets, ceremony backdrop, reception centerpieces, and more. Though all blooms are beautiful in their own right, if you're looking for a big-day flower that's both stunning and meaningful, you can't beat a rose. Closely associated with love and romance for centuries, roses are versatile, colorful additions to any big-day flower arrangement.
"Farm-grown garden roses have individuality, as no two blooms are the same," says Gracie Poulson, owner of Grace Rose Farm. "The 'garden grown' look is so popular for weddings, and nothing could be more perfect than field-grown fragrant garden roses." Whether you’re planning to work garden roses into your celebration's design or opting for traditional or spray roses (or some combination of the three!), the beauty and meaning associated with these blooms make them an undeniably appealing option for big-day arrangements. And though roses are the original romantic flower symbolizing love, they also connote more than that depending on the color bloom you select. From white and yellow to pink and red, each color of rose holds its own distinct meaning, allowing you to incorporate even more significance into your wedding décor.
Meet the Expert
Gracie Poulson is the owner and grower behind Grace Rose Farm, a garden rose farm based in Somis, California.
Have you ever wondered about the meaning behind each rose color? Here, we're sharing a complete guide to rose color meanings, which will help you decide which hues to integrate into your wedding ceremony and reception floral design.
01 of 09
White Roses
Photo by Eric and Jamie Photography
White roses are a go-to choice for weddings, and it's easy to understand why: Not only is white a classic big-day hue, but this color rose is also said to symbolize loyalty, purity, and innocence. "Since they represent these ideas, the white rose has also become the most popular flower to be seen at weddings," says Poulson. Our pro adds that white roses can also symbolize eternal love, a new start, and fresh beginnings—all things you want on the wedding day.
What's more, white blooms work well for just about any part of your wedding. Carry them in your bridal bouquet, add one to your boutonnière, use them to decorate your ceremony aisle, or top reception tables with the stunning stems. And though they're beautiful on their own, white roses are neutral enough to play with any other colors you like, so let them speak for themselves in pure white arrangements or pair them with other blooms you love for a more colorful, dynamic mix.
02 of 09
Red Roses
Photo by Niki Marie Photography
Does any flower signify love quite like a red rose? Giving a dozen of these crimson-toned blooms is a long-standing romantic gesture for a reason: "Red roses are very popular on Valentine's Day because people tend to associate red roses with a passionate relationship," Poulson explaions. "The red rosebud signifies beauty and purity." That's not all they stand for, though. Red roses are also a sign of love and courage.
If you're open to adding a splash of bold color to your wedding, why not let a few red roses carry that symbolism of love and passion into your celebration's design? A literal way to do just that is to tote a bouquet of red roses down the aisle, but the blooms also work nicely in centerpieces and other arrangements. And though red roses are an option throughout the year, we're especially partial to them in fall and winter weddings, where they add moody color or nod to the holiday season.
03 of 09
Yellow Roses
Photo by Feather & Twine
As with many sunshine-colored flowers, yellow roses exude joy and positivity. According to Poulson, these punchy blooms are also said to represent caring, which lends itself nicely to your wedding day. "Yellow roses are widely popular in spring," our expert notes. "They are uplifting and joyful. You can’t help but smile at a cheerful golden rose!"
Consider incorporating yellow roses into your wedding bouquet, centerpieces, or ceremony décor—their warm, sunny color will brighten up any part of your celebration and are guaranteed to catch guests' eyes. Another option? Pack your bridesmaids' bouquets with these punchy flowers: Yellow roses are often gifted as a symbol of friendship, so they're a sweet way to show your appreciation for the family members and friends who will stand by your side at the ceremony.
04 of 09
Ivory Roses
Photo by Rafal Ostrowski
Pure white roses are incredibly popular for a wedding during any season, but they're not your only neutral option: Ivory- or cream-colored roses are also stunning in big-day arrangements, and their meaning is different than that of a classic white flower. These off-white blooms symbolize luxury, charm, and elegance, our expert notes, but can also connote thoughtfulness, grace, and perfection. We love the subtle beauty of an ivory rose bouquet or the idea of pairing of white and ivory roses for just a hint of contrast in a statement-making arrangement.
05 of 09
Orange Roses
Photo by Les Loups
If you're leaning towards bright and bold floral décor, consider using orange-hued roses in your arrangements. Experts generally agree that orange roses symbolize love and friendship, but they can also mean passion, gratitude, happiness, loyalty, and support. Plus, thanks to their vibrant, punchy color, orange roses can also be a sign of liveliness. Incorporate these captivating blooms into a variety of different floral options for a unique vibe.
06 of 09
Pink Roses
Photo by Lacie Hansen Photography
Pink roses signify sweetness, elegance, refinement, and femininity, which makes them a beautiful, meaningful addition to your big-day floral palette. According to Poulson, a deep pink rose also symbolizes gratitude or appreciation, which is a lovely sentiment for your wedding day. If you prefer emphasizing that latter meaning, consider gifting them to your wedding party members, parents, or as a favor to guests at the end of the night. Otherwise, work them into your bouquet, ceremony backdrop, or throughout your reception—they're a classic, versatile option that plays nicely with a variety of different hues.
07 of 09
Peach Roses
Photo by Allan Zepeda
A symbol of sincerity, genuineness, gratitude, and sweetness, what's not to love about peach roses for a wedding? Their stunning, versatile pinkish-orange color has made them an extremely popular choice for spring and summer weddings—they pair well with a variety of different colors and can help bridge the gap between a neutral ceremony and a more colorful reception.
Whether you choose to add a few in a bouquet, use them to dress up a floral arch or staircase, or even weave them into an escort card display, peach roses are a great option for your celebration.
08 of 09
Lavender Roses
Photo by Michellia Fine Imagery
Pale purple roses might not seem super common, but these meaningful, unexpected blooms are real and readily available, our expert notes. Lavender roses are said to symbolize adoration and fascination, but they can also connote mystery, enchantment, and love at first sight. For a springtime wedding, they're a beautiful and thematically appropriate option. Pair them with other pastel blooms for a complementary design or use them to offset brighter, bolder hues.
09 of 09
Multi-Colored Roses
Photo by Feather & Twine
While many roses only feature one color, multi-colored roses (either occurring varieties or painted ones) do exist. Ask your florist about potential color combinations featured in a single rose or ways to use an array of different roses in your big-day arrangements to achieve a similar effect. Multi-colored roses are considered symbols of positive energy, laughter, and joy, making them a perfect option to mark celebratory occasions.
