Guide to Wedding Flowers Customs in Asia

Wedding flowers hold deep cultural significance across Asia, symbolizing love, prosperity, and good fortune. Each country has unique traditions tied to specific flowers, colors, and arrangements. Below is a Just Bloom florist guide to wedding flower customs in key Asian cultures.

1. China

In Chinese weddings, flowers symbolize joy, fertility, and prosperity. Red, a color of luck and happiness, dominates floral choices.

• Common Flowers: Peonies (symbolizing honor, wealth, and romance), lotus flowers (purity and perfection), and orchids (love and fertility).

• Customs:

  • Brides often carry peony bouquets or wear peony hairpieces, as they represent a happy marriage.

  • Floral arrangements in red and gold adorn venues to ward off evil spirits and invite prosperity.

  • The bride and groom may exchange floral garlands during the tea ceremony to symbolize unity.

• Cultural Note: Avoid white flowers, as they are associated with funerals and death.

2. India

Indian weddings are vibrant, with flowers playing a central role in rituals and decor, symbolizing beauty, purity, and divine blessings.

• Common Flowers: Marigolds (auspiciousness and positivity), jasmine (purity and love), and roses (passion and devotion).

• Customs:

  • Garlands of marigolds and jasmine are exchanged between the bride and groom during the Jaimala or Varmala ceremony, signifying their union.

  • Floral mandaps (wedding canopies) are decorated with roses, marigolds, and lotus flowers for the ceremony.

  • Brides often wear floral jewelry, such as jasmine hairpieces or rose wristbands.

• Cultural Note: Marigolds are considered sacred and are used in abundance to honor deities and bless the couple.

3. Japan

Japanese weddings blend Shinto, Buddhist, and modern influences, with flowers symbolizing purity, harmony, and renewal.

• Common Flowers: Cherry blossoms (transience and beauty), camellias (love and affection), and chrysanthemums (longevity, though used cautiously due to imperial associations).

• Customs:

  • In Shinto weddings, sakura (cherry blossoms) or ume (plum blossoms) are used in minimalistic arrangements to reflect wabi-sabi aesthetics.

  • Brides may carry small bouquets of white or pink flowers, symbolizing purity and grace.

  • Floral hairpieces, like kanzashi with seasonal blooms, are popular for traditional attire.

• Cultural Note: White flowers are preferred in traditional ceremonies but must be balanced to avoid funeral connotations.

4. Thailand

Thai weddings emphasize beauty, respect, and spiritual blessings, with flowers playing a role in rituals and decor.

• Common Flowers: Jasmine (love and respect), orchids (beauty and strength), and lotus (purity and spirituality).

• Customs:

  • The Khan Mak procession features floral trays with jasmine and roses, offered to the bride’s family.

  • Couples wear floral garlands (phuang malai) during the ceremony, symbolizing unity and good fortune.

  • Lotus buds are used in water-pouring rituals to bless the couple with purity and prosperity.

• Cultural Note: Fragrant flowers like jasmine are favored for their auspicious scent.

5. South Korea

Korean weddings blend traditional Pyebaek ceremonies with modern elements, and flowers symbolize harmony and eternal love.

• Common Flowers: Roses (love), peonies (happiness), and magnolias (nobility and purity).

• Customs:

  • Brides carry bouquets of roses or peonies, often in soft pink or white, for modern ceremonies.

  • Traditional Pyebaek setups use minimal floral decor, with small arrangements of seasonal flowers on tables.

  • Floral hairpins or crowns are popular for brides wearing hanbok.

• Cultural Note: Bright, bold colors are avoided in traditional settings to maintain a serene atmosphere.

6. Indonesia

Indonesian weddings, particularly Javanese and Balinese, use flowers to symbolize beauty, spirituality, and community blessings.

• Common Flowers: Jasmine (purity), frangipani (sacred beauty), and hibiscus (delicate beauty).

• Customs:

  • In Javanese weddings, jasmine garlands are draped over the couple during the Panggih ceremony, symbolizing unity.

  • Balinese weddings feature elaborate floral offerings (canang sari) with frangipani for temple rituals.

  • Brides wear floral headdresses with jasmine or orchids, reflecting local aesthetics.

• Cultural Note: Flowers are often combined with palm leaves and rice in offerings to honor ancestors.

7. Philippines

Filipino weddings, influenced by Catholic and indigenous traditions, use flowers to symbolize love, faith, and festivity.

• Common Flowers: Sampaguita (national flower, symbolizing purity and humility), roses, and orchids.

• Customs:

  • Brides carry bouquets of sampaguita or white roses, often paired with a veil for Catholic ceremonies.

  • Floral arches or cordon (a rope of flowers) are used in the unity ceremony, draped over the couple’s shoulders.

  • Reception venues are decorated with tropical blooms like orchids and anthuriums.

• Cultural Note: Sampaguita garlands are a staple, reflecting national pride and devotion.

General Tips for Asian Wedding Flowers

• Color Symbolism: Red, pink, and gold are auspicious across many Asian cultures, while white and black may be avoided due to associations with mourning.

• Seasonality: Many traditions prioritize seasonal flowers to align with nature and cultural aesthetics.

• Fragrance: Scented flowers like jasmine and sampaguita are favored for their symbolic and sensory appeal.

• Consult Local Customs: Always research specific regional or religious practices, as preferences vary widely within countries.

This florist guide highlights the diversity of wedding flower customs across Asia, reflecting each culture’s unique values and traditions.