since 2006
What Flowers Should You Give a Woman for a Marriage Proposal?
By Nicolas, proposal expert in Paris
If you spend time on women's forums, you'll notice that when they talk about men giving flowers, they find it charming — even downright irresistible. Try this: dress sharp, pick up a bouquet, and stand on a train station platform. You'll quickly notice many women smiling your way. Some might even strike up a conversation to compliment you! It's clear: giving flowers is a foolproof way to win a woman's heart.
When words aren’t enough, flowers have the power to turn an ordinary day into a memory she’ll cherish forever. Every time she looks at the bouquet, she'll be reminded of the special thought you put into it — and that will linger in her mind. How many other men have actually given her flowers? The bright colors and delightful scents naturally spark warm feelings.
Carefully choosing the right bouquet shows you’ve taken her personality and the moment into account, highlighting your care and affection. Flowers are truly the perfect gift to express your love. No matter how you present them, flowers are always a winning choice.
If you’re unsure which flowers to pick, here are some tips to help you choose the perfect bouquet. You’re about to discover everything you need to know!
And for even more inspiration on how to make your proposal unforgettable, check out our blog packed with unique marriage proposal ideas.
A tradition of giving flowers: a practice thousands of years old
Giving flowers to a woman is a timeless tradition, deeply rooted in human history. This meaningful and emotional gesture has evolved over the centuries but has never lost its power to express deep feelings — especially love.
Since ancient times, flowers have played a key role in love declarations and marriage proposals. The Greeks and Romans, for instance, associated the rose with Aphrodite and Venus, the goddesses of love. According to mythology, Aphrodite started the tradition of giving bouquets. Two legends explain how white roses turned red to symbolize passion: one tells of Aphrodite pricking herself on a thorn, staining the petals red; another says Cupid accidentally spilled his wine on white roses, coloring them crimson.
In ancient Egypt, Cleopatra famously filled her lover Marc Antony’s baths with rose petals — a gesture that was both seductive and extravagant, perfectly showing how flowers could express and heighten deep emotions.
During the Middle Ages, when the Church restricted public displays of affection, lovers used flowers as a secret way to share their feelings. The rose, symbolizing the sincerity of knightly love, often acted as a silent messenger. Sometimes, a single flower worn by a lady was enough to catch a knight’s eye and hint at her interest.
By the 18th century, the “language of flowers” began to take shape, thanks to the work of botanists and writers. In the East, especially in Ottoman sultans’ harems, women used this floral code to send secret messages to their lovers, safe from prying eyes.
But it was during the Victorian era that flower language truly blossomed. In a society known for its strict puritanism and reserved nature, the English embraced flowers as a subtle and elegant way to express emotions. Countless flower dictionaries were published, allowing lovers to “speak” through carefully crafted bouquets. At that time, entire conversations could be carried out through the exchange of flowers. It was also during this period that the legend of the red rose took firm hold in popular culture — reinforcing the myth that white roses only turned red after Adam and Eve’s fateful act in the Garden of Eden.
The Rose: the universal symbol of love
The rose, a timeless emblem of delicacy and beauty, is often hailed as the queen of flowers. Each color carries its own meaning, yet they all share one powerful quality: the ability to seduce. Since ancient times, roses have played a key role in expressing romantic love and passionate feelings. They embody both desire and affection, making them the perfect choice to win the heart of someone special.
Among the most cultivated and popular flowers worldwide, the rose we know today evolved over thousands of years from wild varieties. Traditionally, roses have five petals and prominent stamens, and their heart-shaped petals symbolize love, while their thorns serve as a reminder that love can sometimes bring pain.
Choosing roses to declare your love is a guaranteed way to start a meaningful conversation filled with history and emotion!
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Let’s explore what each rose color reveals about the feelings it expresses.
Red Rose: As the queen of romantic blooms, the red rose symbolizes wild, unconditional love and reflects the depth of the giver’s emotions. It sends a clear, unmistakable message of attraction. Presenting a woman with a bouquet of red roses is a bold declaration of your passionate love! Lighter reds suggest pure affection and feminine beauty, while darker shades hint at deeper sensuality. To soften the intensity, mixing red roses with white or pink adds a gentle touch to the passionate arrangement.
Pink Rose: The pink rose is a flower of charm and seduction, perfect for romantic pursuits where the admirer hopes to enchant their beloved. It represents love filled with tenderness. Offering pink roses is a safe and elegant way to express budding affection. The deeper the pink, the stronger the hint of admiration and desire.
White Rose: White stands for innocence and purity, as well as respect and elegance. A bouquet of white roses is ideal for a first romantic date or a subtle gesture toward a young woman.
Orange Rose: Vibrant and full of energy, the orange rose expresses desire and longing. It’s best given not to announce new love, but to affirm an existing intimate bond.
Yellow Rose: Avoid giving yellow roses to a romantic partner, as they are often associated with jealousy, betrayal, or fading feelings. However, in friendships, yellow roses symbolize warm and friendly sentiments.
Presentation is key when it comes to roses. A bouquet of long-stemmed roses is recommended to express romantic feelings. The bloom stage also matters: buds suggest a new or shy love, while fully bloomed roses convey passionate commitment and readiness to give your all. For a marriage proposal, slightly bent roses are traditional. Be careful with stemless roses cut just below the bud—they can imply a desire to end the relationship.
How many roses should you give a woman? And how many for a marriage proposal?
There’s one rule to keep in mind: if you’re giving a bouquet with fewer than twelve flowers, go for an odd number. It’s believed that gifting an odd number of roses makes the bouquet indivisible — meant for one person only. But the main reason is actually aesthetic: bouquets with fewer than twelve flowers just look better when arranged with an odd number of blooms. Try it yourself — a bouquet of four flowers often feels too symmetrical and formal, while three or five flowers create a more natural, pleasing balance. Odd numbers bring a subtle asymmetry that feels more organic. Even in nature, it’s rare to find flowers growing in pairs or even numbers! When you have more than twelve flowers, since the bouquet is fuller, an even number works perfectly well.
Remember, the number of roses doesn’t necessarily reflect the intensity of your feelings. Giving roses is, above all, a symbolic gesture. Imagine the impact of a room filled with red roses — that kind of display can truly enchant your loved one. But sometimes, the simplicity of a single rose carries an even deeper, more personal message. So don’t get caught up in the numbers alone — think about what the number represents and choose the one that fits your message best.
Once you go beyond fifteen roses, your beloved probably won’t count exactly how many you gave. So there’s no need to worry about the many, often fanciful interpretations you’ll find online. Instead, here are the widely accepted meanings behind these numbers:
1 rose (TOP!): A single rose symbolizes love at first sight. It’s traditionally given on a first date or first Valentine’s Day. This simple gesture speaks volumes, showing that your beloved holds a unique place in your heart. To learn more, check out our in-depth article on love at first sight.
2 roses (BE CAUTIOUS!): Two roses usually express a tender apology or ask for forgiveness — a gesture of reconciliation.
3 roses (TOP!): A clear, heartfelt declaration of love. Each rose represents one word in “I love you.”
5 roses: This number conveys respect and admiration. It’s ideal for a first date — a subtle but meaningful way to show attention without being too forward.
7 roses (TOP!): Seven roses shout deep passion and intensity. Giving seven says, “I’m crazy about you!”
9 roses: Nine roses symbolize commitment and promise. This bouquet is often recommended by florists as a sign of wanting to stay together forever.
10 roses: Ten stands for completeness and perfection — a bouquet of ten roses means perfect, unblemished love and celebrates the joy your beloved brings you.
11 roses (BE CAUTIOUS!): Eleven roses traditionally express deep attachment and a wish to stay by her side through thick and thin. However, this can sometimes come across as overwhelming.
12 roses (TOP!): Twelve roses are the classic bouquet for a marriage proposal — a serious, lifelong commitment. If you’re ready to pop the question, this is the way to go!
13 roses (BE CAUTIOUS!): Thirteen is often avoided because of superstition. In romance, it’s better suited to friendship than love.
15 roses (BE CAUTIOUS!): Fifteen roses usually express regret and an apology after a fight, seeking to mend things.
24 roses: Twenty-four roses represent the 24 hours in a day — a message that your beloved is on your mind every moment.
36 roses (TOP!): Thirty-six roses declare intense, all-consuming love. Giving this bouquet is a passionate statement of devotion.
101 roses: Your love is boundless, an endless obsession. She’s your soulmate, and your feelings will last forever, even beyond death.
1000 roses (TOP!): The ultimate romantic gesture! We’ve even created a special scenario for this: picture yourself on a private dinner cruise along the Seine. As you kneel to propose, a thousand red roses suddenly rain down, covering the deck in a sea of blooms — an unforgettable marriage proposal in Paris.
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The Tulip: the perfect choice for passionate love!
Though tulips don’t have a scent, they radiate a powerful presence. Their delicate beauty makes them a wonderful alternative for anyone wanting to stray from the traditional rose bouquet. With their clean lines and elegant stems, tulips symbolize pure love — and can even hint at a more sensual passion.
Tulips are both striking and sophisticated. It’s often said that the tulip’s velvety black center resembles a lover’s heart, darkened by the heat of passion. The message is clear: “My love for you is complete!” The deeper the red of a tulip, the stronger the passion it conveys, while pink tulips gently symbolize affection and the blossoming of new romance.
If your relationship is just beginning or if grand declarations aren’t your style, tulips offer the perfect way to make a fiery, heartfelt statement.
Even for a marriage proposal, tulips stand out as the flower that best expresses the depth of your feelings, symbolizing genuine, true love.
If you want to go beyond roses and tulips, a few other flowers can keep your gesture flawless:
The Peony: Unlike roses, which are available year-round, peonies bloom for only about two months in spring. Their large, fragrant blossoms express deep tenderness and respect. Symbolizing sincerity and fidelity, peonies are perfect for a quiet but heartfelt declaration of love.
The Lily: Often associated with honesty and pure affection, lilies convey noble and respectful sentiments. A symbol of royalty for centuries, these dignified, fragrant flowers represent purity and chaste love — hinting at profound, unspoken, or unattainable feelings. Their regal presence suits grand romantic gestures, like a love song in bloom.
We also recommend the the bird of paradise, a striking flower that embodies joy and inspires dreams, and the gladiolus, tall and strong, offering a bold, unmistakable way to show your intentions.
Finally, when declaring your love, avoid preserved roses under glass, dried flowers, and exotic bouquets mixed with chocolates. If you choose a multicolored bouquet, stick to harmonious shades without harsh contrasts, and limit your palette to no more than three colors to keep things elegant and balanced.
Finally, imagine the powerful emotional impact you can create by presenting flowers—especially on such a special occasion as a marriage proposal in a Parisian restaurant. Picture this: you’re both seated in an elegant restaurant near Notre-Dame Cathedral, wrapped in an intimate and romantic atmosphere. At the perfect moment, the waiter brings a stunning bouquet of red roses to your beloved. Nestled among the vibrant blooms is a heart-shaped metal box. When she opens it, she finds your heartfelt message—a beautiful invitation to spend her life with you.
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