UpScale & Posh Blog

Romance and Flowers have long been inextricably linked symbolizing different emotions. The beauty of flowers and the celebration of love are harmonious. It is difficult to recall a time when we didn’t correlate romance with the delight of receiving a beautiful fragrant floral anniversary bouquet.

Truly the quintessential messengers of love, Roses are a surefire way to celebrate a new love or a romantic milestone. During the Victorian era, sweethearts often used other varieties of fresh flowers to send messages to one another – each expressing a different heartfelt emotion.   Today, these traditions of floral gifts are carried on as ways to commemorate each wedding anniversary.

1st. Anniversary – Carnation: Symbolizing admiration is the Red Carnation whereas the White Carnation flower represents pure and innocent love. The delicate & feminine pink bloom carnation conveys the message of “I’ll never forget you.”  The carnation flower with its long-lasting qualities and clove-like delicate fragrance embodies joy and commitment promised for years to come.

2nd Anniversary – Lily of the Valley: This flower signifying happiness and purity of heart.  Lilies of the valley have long been associated with humility and devotion. According to legend, a nightingale’s affection for this beautiful flower was so strong that it wouldn’t return to the woods until the flower bloomed in spring.

3rd Anniversary – Sunflower: It has been said that a gift of sunflowers signifies a “devout admirer.” This flower represents strength, warmth, and nourishment which are all attributes of the sun.  The way in which a sunflower turns to follow the sun symbolizes deep loyalty and constancy.

4th Anniversary – Hydrangea: Beautiful lush large round balls of flowers filled with a delicate lace of small petals.  The hydrangea flower symbolizes both gratefulness and pride – celebrating heartfelt praise and appreciation.

5th Anniversary – Daisy: Legend was in Victorian times that maidens would pluck a daisy’s petals one by one to predict their romantic future.  Daisies are also known to be a sign of innocence, purity and gentleness.  These virtues are for both the giver and recipient, with the meaning of carnation flowers declaring: “You have as many virtues as this flower has petals.”

6th Anniversary – Calla Lily: The beautiful Calla Lily Flower with its trumpet-shaped blooms and graceful, slender profile – signifies a symbol of transition and growth.  This flower reflects the beauty and pride gained from shared wisdom over time.

7th Anniversary - Freesia: The Freesia flower is a symbol of trust and fidelity.  Freesia is an antidote to the proverbial saying that the seventh year of marriage provokes restlessness. With the Freesia flower representing faithfulness through the seasons, it’s a traditional reminder of love’s honorable character.

8th Anniversary – Lilac: With their irresistibly perfumed fragrant blooms, and deep green leaves heart-shaped leaves the lilac flower have been treasured for generations. Evocative of springtime and young love, they symbolize and recall love’s first emotions.

9th Anniversary – Bird of Paradise: This tropical flower resembles one of the most striking and exotic birds in the world.  The birds of paradise flower with its large orange and blue blossoms is said to symbolize magnificence and splendor.  This flower celebrates romance’s unexpected side.

10th Anniversary – Daffodil: In nature, as in romance, the daffodil reminds us of renewal and simple pleasures. This flower has a fresh sweet fragrance.  This joyful bloom symbolizes singular love and chivalry.

11th Anniversary – Tulip: This flower denotes a declaration of love.  According to legend, the tulip’s velvety black center represents a lover’s heart darkened by the heat of passion. The Tulip is believed by many to be the most romantic of flowers.  Tulips are also recognized for their elegance and grace.

12th Anniversary – Peony: When in full bloom, the beautiful magnificent lush peony flower embodies romance and prosperity. The Peony is recognized as the flower of riches and honor, the peony is regarded as an omen of good fortune and a happy marriage.

13th Anniversary – Chrysanthemum: The Chrysanthemum flower has long associated with abundance and loveliness.  The chrysanthemum is also a symbol for fidelity.

14th Anniversary – Orchid: A pink orchid message conveys pure affection. The popular cattleya orchid is representative of mature charm.  This flower has a universal message of love, beauty, wisdom and thoughtfulness.  The graceful orchid symbolizes affection and understanding.

15th Anniversary – Rose: The Rose is one of the earliest flowers known to man.  This flower is symbolic of so many emotions.  It is associated with love, magic, hope, and passion. Legend has it that Cleopatra scattered rose petals before Mark Antony’s feet representing ultimate beauty and perfection. Exquisite and radiant, the Rose is the quintessential messenger of love.

20th Anniversary – Aster: This flower is believed to have magical properties.  The Aster is said to be a talisman of love. The Aster symbolizes patience and elegance and with the star-like bloom this flower represents a combination of gained wisdom and good fortune.

25th Anniversary – Iris: The Iris denotes many of the best characteristics of a happy marriage: faith, hope, wisdom, valor and promise. This flower is also the emblem of France, which is an appropriate flower for one of the most romantic countries in the world.

30th Anniversary – Lily: The stately status of 30 years of marriage isn’t lost on this anniversary’s flower. In addition to symbolizing magnificence, the sweetly fragrant lily, with its star-shaped bloom, represents devotion, pride and beauty which are further testaments to such a significant milestone.

40th Anniversary – Gladiolus: Derived from the Latin word gladius, meaning “sword,” for the shape of its leaves, the gladiolus signifies remembrance.  This flower is so appropriate for an anniversary with so many years to recall.  The Gladiolus also expresses vibrancy and infatuation and this showy flower conveys a message to the recipient that he or she “pierces the heart.”

50th Anniversary – Yellow Roses & Violets: For the golden wedding anniversary with its celebration of a half century of marriage there are two flowers to represent its significance. Yellow roses have long been celebrated as the traditional gift for this anniversary. With their warm sun-kissed color, lush petals and subtle fragrance, the yellow rose represents the inner light and beauty of a long, prosperous marriage. Along with yellow roses, violets share the spotlight in commemorating this majestic occasion. According to legend, when Josephine married Napoleon, she wore a string of violets, and on every wedding anniversary thereafter, Napoleon sent her a violet bouquet. Symbolizing virtue, modesty and faithfulness, the violet flower represents the combination of humility and commitment that sustains an enduring union.