The red rose whispers of passion,
And the white rose breathes of love;
O, the red rose is a falcon,
And the white rose is a dove.
— John Boyle O’Reilly
There's no getting around it —
the rose says romance like no other flower. Yet
the meaning behind the rose isn't simple. Below the blooms lie the
thorns. A secret meeting of minds is held sub rosa, under
the rose.
The rose not only symbolizes youthful,
innocent love, but also stands for contentious civil
wars. In short, the rose is as complex and boundless as romance
itself.
What to Wear
Slip on a lovely rose
wedding
garter. For the flower girl, choose a
dress
dripping in roses and a matching
rose headpiece. Pick out rose combs or hair clips for the bridal
party's hair. Dress your bridesmaids in
pink
or deep scarlet, and select
red
silk neckties for the groomsmen. Dress them up with elegant rose boutonnieres.
Ceremonial Rose Ideas
Pick out a gorgeous rose
pillow for the ring bearer to carry up the aisle, a rose
guest book and pen,
and a set of rose
cake servers.
In the rose ceremony — a contemporary offshoot of
the Unity Candle — the bride and groom each exchange
one perfect rose, which they're asked to remember after the wedding — especially during arguments!
Everything's Coming Up Roses — How to Decorate
Start with
rose petals! Affordable and dramatic, these will be your greatest ally in creating a gorgeous, romantic, heaven-scented setting. Start with stark white table linens, and sprinkle them generously with deeply-colored petals. Scatter petals over your reception tables, cake table, gift table ... anywhere you want to add a heavy dose of romance.
Now float them in fountain basins and bowls full of water. Sprinkle them over ice buckets of champagne. Gently place a rose petal in each signature cocktail or glass of champagne. Tuck a few in every invitation envelope. Scatter them over aisle runners and stairwells. Toss them into swags wherever you use tulle: head tables, pew markers. If your wedding's outdoors, create an ultra-romantic trail to the ceremony or aisle to the altar by creating a carpet of petals that beckons between the trees or down the lawn.
What Else?
Rose Napkins. Unlike many napkin sculptures,
the Rose Napkin looks exactly like its namesake. We like Martha
Stewart's photos and instructions on
how
to make them.
Rose Candles.
Rose candles (especially
scented ones) are useful and beautiful building blocks for your
centerpieces and favors. Large, carved rose candles stand alone,
while the smaller floating variety look classical in glass bowls
surrounded by ivy.
Rose Stuffed Balloons.
One of our favorite ideas, this centerpiece
may be within reach if you're near a talented balloon artist. Call
around for references.
More feasible for the DIY bride — yet still lovely
and surprising — are clear balloons you've stuffed
with rose petals. We like to do this by wrapping the neck around
a section of small PVC pipe and dropping the inserts through.
Ribbon Roses. If
you've got some patience, you can learn
to make ribbon roses (ranging from simple to complex) and then
use them to adorn veils, garters, flower girl baskets, ribbon bearer's
pillows, champagne glasses, pew bows, and more.
Red
Tulle-Wrapped Centerpieces. For a look surprisingly reminiscent
of roses, scrunch red or dark pink tulle around your centerpiece
base (such as a wine bottle or vase).
Rose-Filled Pumps.
Yes,
you read that right. For a young and energetic centerpiece, fill
these clear
mod shoes with bright red buds.
Rose String Lights.
Nestle
these delicate blooms in clouds of tulle.
Marzipan Roses. These show up as cake
toppers, centerpieces and favors at some rose weddings. You can
make them yourself, if you have the time.
Long-Stemmed Chocolate Roses. Is it
a bird, a floor wax, a favor or a centerpiece? Let your guests hammer
out the semantics — everyone loves a chocolate long-stemmed
rose.
Rose Potpourri. This long-time wedding
favorite presents the rose to all the senses.
Faux Rose Trees. For an ultra-romantic
setting, twine silk roses into potted trees at your reception. Or
bring in live Rose of Sharons at the right time of year (June or
later in most climes).
More on Rose Favors
Need some
rose favor sayings?
Check out our database.
