A Brief History of Bridal Bouquets

A beautiful bridal bouquet is the cherry on top of your bridal look cake! But have you ever wondered why brides carry a bouquet at all?

Bridal flowers have a long history dating back to ancient times. They have long been used in weddings (among other ceremonies) to symbolise love, fertility, and good luck for the newlyweds.

In ancient Greece and Rome, brides would wear crowns of herbs, such as ivy, rosemary, and myrtle, which were believed to bring good luck and fertility. In the Middle Ages, strong-smelling herbs and spices were thought to ward off evil spirits and mask the smell of body odour. Bridal bouquets would be made up of herbs instead of flowers. Dill and sage were especially popular in bouquets, as dill was believed to invoke lust, and sage to bring good luck.

We can thank the original trend setter, Queen Victoria for the rounded bridal bouquet. When marrying Prince Albert, she carried a rounded tussie-mussie filled with moss and orange blossom. During the Victorian era, the language of flowers was very popular, and it was customary for brides to carry specific flowers that conveyed specific meanings. For example, roses symbolised love and devotion, while lilies symbolised purity and innocence. A bride had to carefully choose her flowers for the sentiments they represented, and the blooms she carried became ‘her flowers’ for the rest of her life.

In the early 20th century, bridal bouquets became more elaborate and typically consisted of a variety of flowers, including roses, lilies, and other popular blooms. Flowers like stephanotis, orchids and calla lilies were also often used in bridal bouquet.

Today, the old bridal flower traditions have been almost forgotten, with brides now selecting flowers for the beauty of their colours, fragrance and shape. This is not to suggest that bridal flowers do not play an important part of the wedding ceremony – quite the contrary! Many brides choose flowers that have personal significance or that match the theme and colours of their wedding. Popular choices for bridal flowers today now include roses, peonies, lilies, and hydrangeas.

The choice of flowers may vary in different cultures and customs, and also the trend of flowers change from time to time. For example, the tussie-mussie, rounded shape of the bouquet is now also giving way to new shapes, such as wreaths or drop flowers.

If you are looking for some timeless wedding flower inspiration, check out our range of beautiful bouquets and arrangements! Alternatively, pop into the shop on 88 Angelo Street, South Perth, or give us a call on (08) 9474 2340 to discuss your wedding day inspiration.

Roses Are Red - The Symbolism Behind Your Beloved Roses

Roses are red, some are blue. Each have their own meanings, here; we will show you!

When asked to think of flowers for any occasion, the rose likely comes to mind. It’s an earned thought! Roses can work as birthday flowers, or as an anniversary gift. A bouquet of roses is considered the quintessential romantic gesture, and adorning pillars with roses are a commonplace feature at both weddings, and funerals.

While roses come in a variety of colours, not all of them carry the same meaning and symbolism. Even the number of roses one is gifted holds meaning! To make sure that you are using the right roses for the right occasion, allow us to take you on a deep dive into the flower we all know and love to get to know it a little bit better!

Rose Colours

It’s important to consider the colour of roses when gifting them, as the colour can convey a specific meaning or sentiment. Different colours of roses can have different symbolic meanings and choosing the right colour can help to convey the intended message more effectively.

For example, if you want to express romantic interest to someone, giving them red roses would be a more appropriate choice than giving them yellow roses, which are typically associated with friendship. Similarly, if you want to congratulate someone on a new job or a new baby, bright, yellow roses would be a more fitting choice than red roses.

In some cultures and customs, certain color of roses have a special meaning, so it’s a good idea to look into it.

White Roses: Symbolising purity, innocence, and new beginnings, white roses are often used in weddings, funerals, and other ceremonies. They can also represent secrecy, reverence, and humility.

Yellow Roses: Representing friendship, joy, and congratulations, yellow roses are a popular choice for graduates, newlyweds, or new parents. They can also symbolise the bonds of friendship and the joy of new beginnings.

Orange Roses: Symbolising enthusiasm, passion, and energy, orange roses are often used to express admiration and appreciation. They can also represent desire and excitement.

Red Roses: The most classic symbol of love and romance, red roses are often given as a gesture of love or as a romance. They can also represent respect, devotion, and courage.

Purple/Blue Roses: Sometimes known as ‘lavender roses,’ these dark roses symbolise mystery, enchantment, and wonder. Purple or blue roses are often given as a sign of admiration and appreciation. They can also represent the idea of the impossible or the unattainable.

Pink Roses: Symbolising grace, elegance, and appreciation, pink roses are often given as a gesture of gratitude and appreciation. They can also represent grace, gentility, and sweetness.

It's worth noting that some people may have personal preferences for certain colors of roses, so it's always a good idea to ask or consider the person's preferences. Ultimately, it's not mandatory to think about the color of roses when gifting, but it can add an extra layer of thoughtfulness and meaning to the gesture.

Meaning of The Number of Roses

Did you know that the number of roses you gift holds a specific meaning? While most know the meaning of 3 roses – I love you – we are clueless as to symbolic meaning of how many roses one gifts.

Here are a few examples:

• One rose: A single rose can symbolise love at first sight, or a gesture of love and appreciation.

• A dozen roses: A dozen roses is often associated with expressing gratitude, appreciation, or love. They also can represent perfection and completion.

• Two dozen roses: Two dozen roses can symbolise the desire to express the gift giver's feelings in a more profound way.

• Three dozen roses: Three dozen roses can symbolise the expression of love and devotion, in a grand and extravagant way.

It's worth noting that these meanings can vary in different cultures, and also that roses are not the only flower that has a meaning associated to it. Other flowers also have meanings associated to them, so it would be a good idea to look into it when gifting flowers.

Ultimately, the number of roses given as a gift is not as significant as the colour of the roses, but it can add an extra layer of thoughtfulness and meaning to the gesture.

If you’re looking to shop for a bouquet or arrangement of roses, our collection of timeless rose arrangements are here to satisfy your needs. Enjoy same-day flower delivery South of the River for orders made before the cut-off time of 10am. Lilypilly is your choice when it comes to handcrafted, rose bouquets.

The Story of May Gibbs

Over the last 50 - 60 years Lilypilly Florist has had some amazing customers - from beautiful brides to young men bringing corsages for their dates at formal. There is one incredibly famous South Perth local who we remember with great fondness, however - May Gibbs.

Most renowned as an author of the Australian classics, The Gumnut Babies, and The Complete Adventures of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, May Gibbs (Born Cecelia) was born in Kent, England, on January 17th in 1877. She, along with her parents at just aged 4, migrated to Australia first to South Australia and then to none other than South Perth. Her family home was The Dune, on the corner of Harper Terrace and what is now Mill Point Road - just 5 minutes away from where Angelo Street is today!

May started her career off writing and illustrating cheeky cartoon for the Western Mail. She went on to study art in England, before returning once more to Australia to write and draw for the Common Cause. May was an early feminist who used her art to draw attention to issues affecting women’s rights in the early days of Australia’s suffragette movement.

Her first book About Us, was published in 1912 – a children’s fantasy story about life among the chimney pots of London. She later went on to write and illustrate 10 more books, including the wildly popular children’s classic The Gumnut Babies.

May married the mining agent Bertram James Ossoli Kelly in 1919. In 1955 she was appointed Member of the British Empire, and throughout all the years in between, she worked an illustrator and writer. She was inducted into the WA Women’s Hall of Fame in 2021 in recognition of the enormous cultural contributions she made to Australian society.

May Gibbs legacy lies beyond her children’s classics. She pursued a career in arts and literature during an era where women’s voices were rarely heart, and where a career could rarely be pursued outside of care-giving roles. Her contributions to the Australian suffragette movement through her author and illustrator position allowed her message to be reached to younger women and girls who otherwise may not have known what was going on. Australia was the second country in the world to give women the right to vote, and May Gibbs played a large part in this.

May Gibbs legacy, art and writing are a fantastic insight into the mind of one of Australia’s most creative and beloved authors, and her belief in the power women have is something that should inspire generations to come.

Please join us in store at Lilypilly on January 17th to celebrate this beloved South Perth author’s 146th birthday. We will be hosting a beautiful shop front with her books and artifacts, and will have a sale on our dried, native flowers.

Lilypilly x

Welcome to Lilypilly!

It’s 2023 and the shop is OPEN! 

Well, actually, the shopfront on Angelo Street has been in operation as a florist for well over 50 years.

If you’re local to South Perth, or have been around for some time, you may have known this beautiful little florist under another name, and seen some of the many new and old faces over the last half century. In 2017 Lilypilly was established after Lisa stumbled across the store and just couldn't walk past.  In 2021, Jen took over Lilypilly and has since been carrying on this little Angelo Street legacy.

Moving into 2023, Lilypilly wants this space to be special. Somewhere you know you can visit to find what you need when it comes to flowers and special occasions. A place where you can find inspiration and locally made items, art, and gifts to help you bring some magic into your home.

Our shopfront closes at 5pm, but our online store doors are always open, and we endeavour to respond to your requests and messages as soon as possible. Part of what makes Lilypilly so special is that nearly every item sold is not only Australian made but is something our staff have used before.

If you haven’t already, please follow Lilypilly on Instagram, and subscribe to our blogposts. Our blog writer usually struggles to keep captions within limits, so we hope you can join us in this space to share fun and helpful information, growing and creating tips, and just to delve into the wonderful world of flowers.

Thank you all so much for being here and joining Lilypilly in this journey into 2023.  

Lilypilly