CROWNED IN BLOOMS
Long before all those wedding Pinterest boards and festival fashion, the act of crowning the head with flowers carried symbolic weight. In ancient Mediterranean cultures, wreaths marked transition — youth to adulthood, from unmarried to wed. In parts of Eastern Europe, elaborate bridal wreaths were woven from herbs, grains, and blossoms to signify fertility and prosperity. In the Nordic culture, orange blossoms once crowned brides as emblems of purity. Even in Victorian England, the language of flowers allowed a bride to communicate sentiment through the choice of blooms: myrtle for love, rosemary for remembrance.
The floral halo was never merely decorative. It was and still is a form of botanical poetry. Something visual and frangrant that complements clean silhouettes rather than overwhelming them. Think silk slip dresses, lace styles, and minimalist gowns. The wreath frames the face. It softens. It anchors. In reconsidering the floral halo, we see more than a trend. We see continuity. A thread of petals connecting ancient rites, Victorian reinvention, and modern design sensibility.
To wear a wreath of flowers is to participate in that lineage — to be crowned not in gold, but in bloom.
THE REAL DEAL: Halos Made Up of Real Flowers
Header Photo: A wreath of white roses and ivy. Directly Above: Roses, daisies, and crisanthanums make up this wreath, ideal for an autumn wedding. Orange roses, the focal point of this creation, symbolize admiration and excitement. Below: A romantic garden flower mix with layered textures and a soft color transition. Full roses and a spray of smaller clusters in peach and blush tones are interspersed with wisps of baby's breath. Perfect for a late-spring/early-summer palette. |
Above: One of my personal faves is a generous spray of baby's breath. A.k.a. Gypsophilia, this busy, vastly spread little flower signifies purity and love. Not just for padding bouquets and centerpieces, baby's breath is stunning all on its own. Below: Au naturale! A circlet of peach roses, eucalyptus leaves, and small sprays of wax flowers. This has a very West Coast aesthetic — natural, soft, woodland, slightly bohemian. California dreamin'. |
| Above: Vines of jasmine created this fragrant wreath that complements just about any dress. Jasmine is the flower of virtue, love, and personal relationships. Their sweet fragrance and delicate blossoms evoke a sense of warmth and sincerity. In many cultures, jasmine flowers are given as symbols of good luck and a deep connection between friends and family. Below: The ultimate early-spring woodland palette, this halo has a lot happening. For starters, many botanicals are combined here. Standard roses are mixed with mauve and purple hellebores, pink wax flowers, Andromeda, Italian ruscus, and eucalyptus. The aesthetic here is slightly European countryside chic. |
| Above: Ivory and beige silk roses are mixed with dried baby's breath in this wreath that goes with just about any season or style gown. Because the baby's breath is dried, and roses in the bridal industry are year-round faves regardless of bloom season, this halo is a good candidate for early winter nuptials. Below: Pearls and lace. Another year-round fave. I personally made this halo out of a string of tiny pearls intertwined with Venise lace trim. This would be an optimal headpiece, combined with a veil. |
| Above: Not real Gerbera Daisies, but close enough to make a bold statement. Gerberas typify innocent happiness. This circlet would be ideal worn with vintage 1960s-70s styles, evoking the time when a free-spirited fashion took form. Below: Another gem I created out of silk magnolias. This flower represents different things depending on the culture. In the American South, magnolias symbolize hospitality and grace. In Asian culture, feminine strength. |
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