Well, the Wedding of the Century has come and gone, and everyone seems to have an opinion on, well, everything about it- including Kate Middleton’s Lily-of-the-Valley bridal bouquet. I, for one, thought it was perfect- stylish, discrete, traditional yet modern at the same time. I also think it’s charming that she would carry Lily-of-the Valley with her wedding date so close to May 1st, which is when the French celebrate spring by offering small sprigs of muguet (Lilies of the Valley) as a porte bonheur (good luck charm) to those who hold a special place in their hearts. Since May 1st is the only time of the year when people can sell flowers on the street without having to buy a permit, for the past few days, all over Paris, people could be found selling little bunches of Lilies-of-the-Valley for a euro or two.
This sweet French custom started during the 16th Century. Wedding banns were posted at the beginning of May, and wreaths of lily-of-the-valley were hung in the doorways of the brides-to-be. During his reign, Charles IX also began offering sprigs of muguet for luck. As it happened, in the late 1800s, the international workers movement declared the first of May as May Day, in honor of the workers of the world. In France, workers and their supporters wore lily-of-the-valley boutonnières on May 1st. These days, French tradition says that you must offer au moins un brin de muguet (”at least one sprig of Lily of the Valley”) to loved ones on May Day. In the Victorian language of flowers, by the way, lily-of-the-valley signified the return of happiness.
For a spring or summer wedding, what better way to incorporate this French tradition into your wedding than by adding some touches of Lilies-of the Valley?
cake by peggy porschen, centerpiece by rebecca thuss, boutonniere by flowerwild, stationery from crane & co.
If you’d like to add more of a French touch to your lily-of-the-valley wedding, try offering your guests boxes of Muguet-flavored macarons, or your bridesmaids bottles of muguet-scented Parisian perfume.
le muguet perfume by Annick Goutal, muguet macarons by Ladurée.
Je vous souhaite que du bonheur en ce 1ère mai!
