Flowers are an essential part of a bridal array in all countries, and it would be difficult to name the nation where they are most lavishly used. All European nations are profuse in their use on every possible public occasion and family meeting.

The flowers selected for bridal purposes vary with the tastes of the different citizens.

In Normandy, roses are the bridal flower. When a man has little or no dowry to give his daughter, it is a saying there that he will give her a chaplet of roses. In Italy, the jasmine is the rose selected. In Germany, the myrtle wreath prevails, as in the classic days of Greece and Rome.

It is a frequent practice, says the Argosy, for a young girl to plant myrtle, and to watch and tend it till the time arrives when she requires the delicate blossoms for her bridal wreath. Should she die unmarried, the same myrtle furnishes her coffin. It is considered extremely unlucky to present another with myrtle from a plant dedicated to one alone, either for life or death.

The myrtle crown of the bride is frequently alluded to by German poets.

In the northern provinces of Germany, and in Scandinavia, the bridal crowns are composed of artificial myrtle, ornamented in a manner more showy than tasteful, with additional flowers in gold and silver.

These crowns are often a foot or more in height. In the evening the garlands are put up and danced off; a lively tune strikes up, and the bridesmaids and other girls dance round the bride, who is blindfolded. Suddenly the music stops, when the bride places the crown on the head of the girl who happens to stand before her at the moment. Of course the maiden thus crowned will be the next to be married.