Full of beauty, colour, and symbolism, giving roses is a poignant way to honour your partner or other VIPs in your life, such as parents or grandparents. You can also use them in your ceremony in remembrance of loved ones who are no longer with you.
Exchanging a rose with your partner
Coming after your vows and the exchange of your rings, giving a rose represents your first gifts to one another as newlyweds. It is not only a loving gesture in that moment, it can also be the start of a life-long tradition that you re-create on every anniversary.
You can choose any colour or type of rose for your ceremony. Red is of course the traditional colour of love, but you don’t have to stick with tradition! In keeping with all other aspects of a Celebrant-led ceremony you can are free to tailor your ceremony in any way you wish.
As you exchange roses, your Celebrant can recite a poem or give a blessing. The following poem by John Boyle O’Reilly is perfect for a couple exchanging red and white roses, or blended blush coloured roses:
The red rose whispers of passion,
And the white rose breathes of love;
O, the red rose is a falcon,
And the white rose is a dove.
But I send you a cream-white rosebud
With a flush on its petal tips;
For the love that is purest and sweetest
Has a kiss of desire on the lips
Remembering loved ones who are no longer with us
Your wedding ceremony is of course a most joyful occasion. But for couples who have lost loved ones, it is also a day when the loss is most keenly felt. In memory of your absent loved one you can lay a single rose on an empty chair. This can be done at the beginning of the ceremony and can be accompanied by words of remembrance from your Celebrant.
Honouring the VIPs in your life with a rose
The giving of roses to parents, grandparents, children or any other VIP in your life is a very touching and thoughtful gesture. You can choose to say a few words of thanks to the recipient as you give the rose, or your Celebrant can deliver the words on your behalf.
I hope these three ideas for using roses in your ceremony have provided some inspiration. Click here to get in touch about your ceremony.