Throughout history, flowers and their colors have had special meanings. Long ago, brides carried herbs instead of flowers in their bouquets to ward off evil spirits, and they carried sage for wisdom, dill for lust, and rosemary for remembrance. Rosemary was also said to ensure faithfulness. Marigolds dipped in rosewater would later be eaten as aphrodisiacs.

Flowers later replaced herbs. Orange blossoms were put into bridal bouquets for happiness and fertility, ivy for fidelity, and lilies for purity. Wheat symbolized fertility. After the wedding, bouquets were dried and hung in the bride's new home.

Modern brides tend to carry flowers based on color and personal preference, but choosing flowers for their meaning is still popular. If you would like to be green with meaning and incorporate a little symbolism into your eco-bouquets, here are a few popular wedding flowers and their meanings according to the Society of American Florists:

• Baby's breath: festivity

• Calla lily: regal

• Casablanca lily: celebration

• Daffodil: chivalry

• Daisy: innocence

• Day lily: enthusiasm

• Gardenia: joy

• Iris: inspiration

• Jasmine: grace and elegance

• Magnolia: dignity

• Marigold: desire for riches

• Nasturtium: patriotism

• Orange blossom: fertility

• Orchid: delicate beauty

• Pansy: loving thoughts

• Passionflower: passion

• Rose (pink): friendship

• Rose (red): passionate love

• Rose (red and white): unity

• Rose (white): purity

• Stargazer lily: ambition

• Stephanotis: good luck

• Statice: success

• Sunflower: adoration

• Sweet pea: shyness

• Tuberose: pleasure

• Tulip (pink): caring

• Tulip (purple): royalty

• Tulip (red): declaration of love

• Tulip (white): forgiveness

• Tulip (yellow): hopelessly in love

• Violet: faithfulness

There isn't a flower that says “I care about the environment” yet, but maybe one day soon there will be a flower that symbolizes the green bride.