When you think "romantic flowers," you think roses. From petals strewn across a honeymoon suite or the hundreds of ads you see for Valentine's Day, everyone else thinks the same way. These images typically use the familiar red roses standby. While we love a beautiful red rose, there are so many more colors out there — a whole rainbow and more! Roses, especially red ones, evoke romance, but a rose by any other color will have an entirely different meaning. These other rose color meanings can still be perfect for your wedding day.

Whether you're the type of Moxie bride who puts thought into every detail or you're curious about rose colors and their meaning, Flower Moxie has got you covered! Read on to take the guess-work out of choosing rose colors for your wedding.

So there are a lot of rose colors out there — more than the red you probably first think of when you picture a rose. In this floral rainbow, color meanings of roses range from innocence to death. If you're the type of Moxie bride to take color symbolism seriously, you're eager to know these meanings. Even if you couldn't care less about what the rose colors in your bouquet mean, you never know if a rose-color-meaning expert is on your guest list.

Let's take it nice and slow by starting with natural rose colors. These are colors you would find in the wild, not that you'd be searching there when you can browse roses online. Natural colors include shades of red, white and a couple of others.

Here are their common meanings:

These roses come in different hues, too. While the general meaning still applies to these deeper or lighter shades, these rose colors have their own meaning sometimes. Light pink is sympathetic while dark pink shows appreciation. Different shades of red represent shades of romance. Bright red signifies standard romance, but burgundy represents deep passion and unconscious beauty.

We aren't limited to the colors Mother Nature provides us, though. Through the power of science, we can unlock colors of the rainbow and unleash them into bouquets of roses. But what do these human-made colored roses mean?

Blue roses: While blue is a natural color for other flowers, it's an intriguing color for a rose, no? Well, that's exactly the meaning of a blue rose! They also evoke a sense of mystery.

Black roses: It's not surprising to hear that black roses represent dark emotions. Death, anarchy, sadness and tragic romance all fall under a black rose's meaning. Don't be too discouraged by the dark side. Some consider black roses to represent a one-of-a-kind love since these flowers are unique.

Green roses: Green isn't just for leaves anymore. One of the most interesting hues on the artificial-colors list, green means growth and energy. Use green roses to represent rejuvenation and life.

Even though they're human-made, people still find significance in these rose colors. Are rose color meanings vital to know for your wedding day? Some will say yes. Why use a symbol of death to decorate for your big day? But we say these colors are up to interpretation.

We want you to be happy with your color selection, no matter what that involves. If anyone makes a fuss, spin the symbolism to work for you. Black roses, after all, can represent a unique romance, and your love is one-of-a-kind.

Roses also come in combinations of the above colors. So if you're concerned about the symbolism but want to incorporate colors with meanings less-than-lovey, go with a hybrid. Offset the friendliness of yellow with blush pinks or reds. Breathe love into the darkness with burgundy and black flowers. Didn't even know that was a possibility? Well then, let's talk about the origins of these colors and combos.

You know about the rainbow of options out there and rose color symbolism, but you may be curious how these colors even come about. If you can't find a black rose while searching for rose bushes in the woods — again, no need to do that — then how are they made? Are they delivered via unicorn? Does a witch touch each petal with her magical fingers, rendering them a completely new shade? Not even close.

Florists can create a rainbow of rose blooms through:

1. Cross-breeding: Also called cross-pollination, this process involves one flower pollinating another. Natural sources, like wind, rain and pollinating insects, can help roses cross-breed. Artificial processes can also create hybrid rose flowers with hybrid meanings. Roses produced through cross-breeding often have traits of both their parents — "oh, she has her mother's stem!" — and are multi-colored as a result. This process involves natural colors. So the reds, pinks, whites and yellows we mentioned before can create an assortment of combinations.
2. Food coloring and absorption dyes: Typically, plant-based dyes create human-made hues. Roses more easily absorb these natural dyes through their stems, though food coloring and other pigments can work. Fresh blooms soak in warm water mixed with dye and eventually take in the pigment, which transfers to the petals. Anyone dyeing roses uses white or other naturally light-colored flowers. Lighter colors allow for the dye to appear in the petals more vibrantly.
3. Spray and dip dyes: Other dyes get right to the source and dye the petals directly rather than waiting for roses to absorb the color. Spray and dip dyes color the petals and can sometimes help flowers retain moisture. Spray dyes especially can help rose blooms last longer.

A lot of common rose colors you've probably seen on your Pinterest prowl aren't found in nature and are a result of these processes. Orange, purple and blue roses, among other colors, come from dyes, though that doesn't make them any less beautiful!

You may also come across bi- or multi-color roses in your flower hunt. Dip-dyes and absorption dyes soaked in through the stem can create these rainbow effects, often combining natural colors with artificial shades. There are multi-color rose options that feature only natural colors, too. These combinations create unique blooms and multi-colored roses can take on new color meaning based on their components. Because of their significance — and beauty, of course — particular roses, either single or multi-colored, are the most popular choices for weddings.

Knowing these meanings has probably sparked some ideas for your wedding, right? If you feel overwhelmed by the options — there certainly are a lot! — here are the most popular colors of roses for brides to use in their weddings:

• Red roses
• White roses
• Ivory and cream roses
• Deep pink roses
• Blush pink roses
• Peach roses
• Orange roses
• Purple and lavender roses

Most of these colors are natural, meaning that they'll be a bit easier to find. They also represent love, celebrations and happiness, so it's no wonder brides use them on their wedding days. The norm may be a starting point for you in your flower search, but remember that your wedding is your day! Choose rose colors that will accent your event and add a personal touch. Whether it be through the symbolism of rose colors or your interpretation, pick what makes you happy.

Don't feel like you have to limit yourself to one color, either! Take a look at our selection of bulk roses to see the variety of colors we offer the DIY bride! You'll see that many shades complement each other. Peaches and pinks will add contrast to white flowers, while cream roses will bring subtlety to a red arrangement. Remember also that these colors contain multitudes of shades. You will find everything from classic red and rich burgundy to deep pink and pastel tones.

Take a look at our selection of bulk roses to see the variety of colors we offer the DIY bride and groom! You will find everything from classic red and rich burgundy to deep pink and pastel tones.

Once you've got an idea of the colors you'd like to use, or if you'd rather know where you're going to put these roses first, you should consider how to incorporate roses into your wedding.

Now that you know the meaning of roses and their colors, and maybe what colors you'd like to use, you'll want to use them at your wedding! But there is more than one way to include roses in your special day. Consider all of these different uses:

1. Bouquet: Carry your exquisite rose selection down the aisle to complement you on your big day. Then everyone can see how great you are at making flower selections.
2. Flower crowns or hair decorations: If you're going with a flower crown, well duh, you need flowers for that! Even if you're not going with a crown, you may be able to incorporate flowers into your hairstyle. A Moxie bride's party can also wear flowers or crowns, and what's a flower girl without some flowers in her hair?
3. The wedding party: This is an especially great choice when using roses in your own bouquet. Bridesmaids can carry roses and groomsmen can wear boutonnieres on their tuxes and suits. Involve the parents of the bride and groom, as well, with corsages and boutonnieres.
4. Centerpieces: Centerpieces allow the most creativity for our DIY brides. Incorporate different flowers, candles, vases and other decorative items that match the theme or inspiration for your wedding. Bring life and color to every table with a centerpiece of roses.
5. Cluster centerpieces: Also called organic or loose centerpieces, these sprawling and scattered arrangements often top a long table. Organic centerpieces, like roses, are very versatile. Achieve a classic, contemporary or rustic vibe with clusters of roses and other decorations.
6. Around the cake: While pretty much every table in your venue can feature a centerpiece, the cake should be the showstopper of its table. That shouldn't stop you from embellishing the table around the cake with beautiful roses and other floral pieces. This decor can draw even more attention to your beautiful cake.
7. Backdrop wall: Spruce up a venue with an enchanting backdrop wall adorned with roses. Stand before your wall as you say "I do" or create the perfect background for photos. Use a gradient of roses or mix in other greenery for this eye-catching feature.
8. Chair and aisle bouquet: Use these lovely DIYs to decorate chairs for everyone, the wedding party or just the newlyweds. Place them on chairs closest to the aisle to draw in even more floral beauty.
9. The aisle: Scatter beautiful rose petals that tie your floral decor together down the aisle. Have your flower girl toss the petals or ask someone else to do it before the ceremony. Either way, the aisle is one of the most classic places to decorate with flower petals.
10. The arch: Standing before a gorgeous, rose-decorated arch can elevate your ceremony. Make your wedding photos pop with a breathtaking arrangement of roses in the background!

Don't limit yourself to these 10 decorating ideas, though. Put roses wherever your heart desires! Adorn every entryway, give guests petals to throw as natural confetti or adorn place cards and table numbers with floral decor. Let your creativity run wild and customize your venue with gorgeous roses.

By now, you probably have a rose color in mind (or five) for your big day. Whether you're going for timeless white or an unexpected blue and peach combo, one thing’s clear—your flowers deserve to be just as thoughtful and unique as your wedding itself.

That’s where Flower Moxie comes in.

We’re not just another flower shop. We specialize in fresh cut flowers that are hand-selected for DIY brides like you. We make it easy to order bulk roses in your chosen color palette. We’re pros at helping people who aren’t florists (or who just want to save big money) create wedding flowers that look expensive and feel personal.

Not sure where to start? We offer everything from DIY flower packages to premade bouquets and bulk bunches of roses, all shipped directly to your door. Our roses are farm-fresh, long-lasting, and always beautiful. And if you're looking to build a color story through your flowers, we’ve got real humans (hi!) ready to help you pair your roses with complementary blooms, greenery, and even ribbon.

We’ve helped thousands of brides design floral magic, and we’d love to do the same for you.

You’ve seen the basics, but here are a few more fun facts and symbolic meanings for rose colors to help guide your decision—or just help you impress your guests with your floral knowledge.

Coral Roses

Coral roses fall somewhere between orange and pink. They’re lively, bold, and often associated with desire and enthusiasm. Want to bring energy and joy to your arrangements? Coral’s your color.

Burgundy Roses

We touched on burgundy earlier, but let’s expand on this showstopper. Burgundy roses represent unconscious beauty and deep passion. They’re moody, romantic, and dramatic—in the best way. Ideal for fall or winter weddings.

Mauve Roses

Mauve roses are perfect if you want something subtle but still rich in meaning. They symbolize enchantment and a more subdued kind of love—think quiet glances and slow dances instead of grand gestures.

Cream Roses

Often lumped in with white or ivory, cream roses carry their own meaning: elegance, thoughtfulness, and charm. They’re ideal for weddings with a classic or vintage aesthetic.

Bi-Color Roses

You can’t talk about rose color meaning without mentioning bi-color varieties. A rose with red-tipped petals and yellow centers, for example, can symbolize friendship turning into love. These unique blooms are a fun way to personalize your bouquet even more.

And hey, if you're just choosing a color because it looks stunning—that’s valid too. Not every flower choice has to have deep symbolism. Sometimes “I just liked it” is the best reason of all.

Tips for DIYing Your Wedding Roses (From Moxie Pros)

We wouldn’t be Flower Moxie if we didn’t give you a few bonus DIY tips to make your rose game even stronger.

• Hydrate your roses well. Fresh cut flowers need to drink water after shipping! Trim the stems and give them a long drink (we’re talking 6-12 hours) before arranging.
• Remove lower leaves. This keeps bacteria out of your water and helps your bouquet last longer.
• Use floral tape and chicken wire for support. Roses have some weight to them, especially in large bouquets or centerpieces. Support your designs so they hold up through the day.
• Mix in greenery and filler. Eucalyptus, ruscus, and baby’s breath are all great companions for roses. They make your arrangements look lush while stretching your flower budget.

And remember, if you’re ever unsure, we’ve got step-by-step tutorials and a team that lives for helping brides get their DIY flower dreams just right.

You Deserve Beautiful Flowers

Your flowers don’t need to cost a fortune or come with stress. Whether you’re going full DIY or just want to do a few arrangements to cut costs, Flower Moxie is your wedding flower sidekick. We’ll guide you through the whole process—from choosing the right rose colors to prepping+ your blooms to setting up your floral game plan.

And because we’re focused on DIY wedding flowers, we’ve built our products, guides, and support system just for people like you. No confusing floral lingo. No pressure to be a pro. Just fresh cut flowers, flexible options, and a whole lot of love.

Elegant, classic and still contemporary — you can't go wrong with roses. From color meanings of roses to all the different ways you can use these flowers in your ceremony or reception, there's a lot to consider for your big day. No need to feel overwhelmed by options or possibilities. We at Flower Moxie are DIY experts, and we want to help!

Ready to shower your wedding venue in rose petals? Need help with a flower recipe tutorial? Whatever you need, we're here to listen! Contact us today!

Let’s Make Flower Magic Together

Browse our collection of fresh cut flowers, shop by color palette, or explore our DIY wedding flower packages. Whether you’re feeling bold and burgundy or soft and peachy, we’ve got the perfect roses for your day.

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Your love is one-of-a-kind. Your flowers should be too.