Where Dreams Blossom 2014 Forever Stamps — Wedding Bouquet Design

Ethel Kessler designed this stylized bouquet stamp using an illustration by Michael Osborne — the same pairing behind the "Yes I Do" Heart of Roses stamp. It was issued for save-the-date notices, response cards and thank-you notes.

Flowers at weddings, going back a long way

The species have changed; the custom has not. An ancient Greek bride's bouquet held bulbs of garlic and sprigs of dill and sage — garlic to drive off evil spirits, dill so she would desire only her husband, sage for wisdom and goodness.

Swedish weddings used herbs too. The groom carried thyme in his pocket to keep trolls from turning up uninvited, and young girls walked the aisle with small herb bouquets.

Where the flower girl comes from

In England a small girl led the couple to the church, scattering blossoms along the path to bring them long life and happiness. The custom survived nearly intact, which is why there is a flower girl at most modern weddings.

Queen Victoria's bouquet

In 1840 she carried a "Tussie Mussie" at her wedding and started a fashion. The small bouquet was assembled for meaning — roses for love, poppies for the pleasure her new husband would bring to her life.

Garlic or poppies, the bouquet has always been a statement about the future.

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