There is a language, little known,
Lovers claim it as their own.
Its symbols smile upon the land,
Wrought by nature’s wondrous hand;
And in their silent beauty speak,
Of life and joy, to those who seek
For Love Divine and sunny hours
In the language of the flowers.
The Language of Flowers, London, 1875
As the wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry draws ever closer this Saturday the world is speculating about every last detail of their wedding plans and what choices they will have made. We know from Kensington Palace that their florist will use plants and flowers that are blooming naturally at this time of year. Branches of beech, birch and horn beam, white garden roses, peonies and foxgloves for the arrangements. But what we don’t know is what will feature in Meghan’s bouquet and those of her bridesmaids.
So we can only wait with baited breath for the wedding of the summer that will celebrate the love of two people who have eyes only for each other.
The florist chosen by Meghan and Harry is none other than Philippa Craddock. Her work is spectacular; she was the florist for one of my dearest friends Alexia on her wedding day several years ago. And whatever choices of flowers have been made and colours agonised over for this Saturday’s nuptials at Windsor Castle the one thing you can guarantee is that they will be spectacular.
Our future Duchess has been vocal about her love of flowers in the past. Her Mother fittingly calls her ‘Flower’ and we all remember her now infamous Instagram post of a bouquet of pink and white peonies just after she started dating Prince Harry.
So with Royal wedding fever enveloping us this week I got together with uber florist Clare Lee of Lilyfee Floral Designs for a mini collaboration to celebrate all things wedding flowers. It was also a real eye opener as I joined Clare in her studio where she taught me why certain flowers are used and what they mean.
We focused on four heroes for the bouquets Clare made and that we also thought were very Meghan: Peonies, Roses, Lily of the Valley, and of course Myrtle.
Peonies: Meghan’s favourite flower as we have been lead to believe, stand for happiness, ambition, and love; a truly sweet sentiment for their wedding day.
The Rose: England’s national flower and the ultimate symbol of romance and ranking as the leader of wedding flowers as symbols of love, beauty, and romance.
Lily of the Valley: a classic Victorian flower symbolising the return of happiness. How apt for this couple who have both loved and lost before they found each other. Lily of the Valley is also grown along the stunning Californian coastline.
A lovely combination of USA west coast sunshine and UK tradition.
Myrtle: another traditional wedding bouquet favourite symbolising good luck and love for the marriage.
Will she choose blowsy peonies and roses in soft ivories and pinks, or will she choose something more dramatic that will surprise us all?! We can only wait and see…
We wish them all the very best on their wedding day as they set off on their journey together as Husband and Wife down Matrimony Lane…
All images ©Nikki Kirk Photography
Flowers and styling by Lilyfee Floral Designs
Photographed on location in Gloucestershire