Assuming you don't suffer from appalling hayfever, chances are you will be carrying a beautiful bouquet of flowers up the aisle with you on your wedding day to complement your dress.

A lot of thought goes into flowers at weddings these days. Brides like to co-ordinate colours and choose flowers according to a season or special memories but did you know each flower has its own significant meaning?

It is even said that the person who catches the bride's bouquet after a ceremony will be the next up the aisle. But why do we carry bouquets?

Tradition has it that, in ancient times, it was believed strong smelling herbs and spices would ward off and drive away evil spirits, bad luck and ill health.

The Romans extended this tradition with the bride and groom wearing floral garlands signifying new life and hope for fertility.

In Victorian times, flowers took on an additional significance as lovers sent messages to each other using different flowers, with each flower having its own meaning.

These associations were adopted for the bride's bouquet and are still used today.

The most popular flowers with their traditional meanings are:

Apple Blossom - Better things to come

Camelia - Gratitude

Carnation - Fascination and love

Red crysanthemum - I love you

White crysanthemum - truth

Cyclamen - modesty and shyness

Daffodil - Regard

Daisy - Innocence

Fern - Fascination and sincerity

Flowering almond - Hope

Forget-me-not - True love and remembrance

Heliotrope - Devotion and faithfulness

Honeysuckle - Generosity

Hyacinth - Loveliness

Hydrangea - Boastfulness

Iris - Warmth of affection

Ivy - Eternal fidelity

Japonica - Loveliness

Jasmine - Amiability

Lemon Blossom - Fidelity in love

White lilac - Youthful innocence

Lily - Majesty

Lily-of-the-valley - Return of happiness

Magnolia - Perseverance

Maidenhair - Discretion

Mimosa - Sensitivity

Orange Blossom - Purity and virginity

Peach Blossom - Captive

Red Rose - Love

Yellow Rose - Friendship

Coral Rose - Desire

Peach rose - Modesty

Dark pink Rose - Thankfulness

Pale pink Rose - Grace

Orange rose - Fascination

White rose - Innocence

Rosemary - Remembrance

Snowdrop - Hope

Sweet Pea - Delicate pleasures

Tulip - Love

Veronica - Fidelity

Violet - Faithfulness