Flowers
Flowers play an important role in most weddings. Roses are said to be the flowers of love, and because roses usually bloom in June (in the Northern Hemisphere), this has become the most popular month for weddings in many countries. Ivy is also used in wedding bouquets because in early Greek times, it was thought to be a sign of everlasting love. The flower bouquets of some Middle Eastern brides contain artemisia—a bitter herb—to symbolize that the marriage will survive both good times and bad. In Thai weddings, the mothers of the bride and groom lay flowers on the shoulders of the couple to bring happiness and luck to their marriage. Flower garlands are also exchanged in addition to rings to represent the beauty of marriage and life. After the wedding ceremony, it is customary in many countries for the bride to throw her bouquet into a crowd of well-wishers, usually her single female friends. It is said that the person who catches the bouquet will be the next one to marry. C