By Sheree Zielke
If you pine for the romance of the Victorian era, or you feel drawn to Greek mythology, then you must incorporate orange tree blossoms into your wedding.
It's said that the tradition of a bride carrying orange blossoms in her bouquet, or incorporating them into her head wreath, began in Greek mythology. Gaea, the Greek goddess of fertility, presented orange blossoms to Hera, in celebration of her marriage to Zeus.
Orange blossoms featured in wedding florals represent everlasting love and fertility. Orange tree blossoms are not actually orange at all; they are white, and very fragrant. The orange tree can continue to blossom, even while it is bearing fruit, which supports the notion that orange blossoms promote fertility. In addition, the orange tree's evergreen leaves gave rise to its blossoms being tied to everlasting love.
The use of orange blossoms in bridal arrangements dates back to ancient China, where orange trees grew in abundance. The custom was adopted in Europe, after Crusaders brought sprigs of orange blossoms back to their homes, for planting there. Brides were smitten by the orange blossoms' perfume and insisted on having the delicate flowers in their hair.
In 1840, in her marriage to Prince Albert, Queen Victoria eschewed her royal headpieces, in favor of an orange blossom wreath. Even her white satin dress was trimmed with orange blossoms. Future Victorian brides followed her lead; and if they couldn't get real orange blossoms, they used wax versions.
Choosing orange blossoms for your wedding day will not only put you in the company of a queen and a mythological goddess, but also in the company of an American president's wife; Jacqueline (Bouvier) Kennedy wore orange blossoms in her lace tiara, for her 1953 marriage to President John F. Kennedy.
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