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An
Aromatic Wedding©
by Jeanne Rose & Susan
Grae
Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils and hydrosols for health and well-being and
has created a re-emergence in the use of aroma for celebratory
occasions. Pure essential oils of plants, and the aromatic water
which results from their distillation (hydrosols) are incorporated
into the bridal shower, marriage ritual, the reception, and even
into the honeymoon! Recent research gives further meaning to the
historical symbolic use of flowers and their aromas in the wedding
ritual. According to Valerie Worwood, essential oils improve the
supply of oxygen and nutrients to the tissues, improve the immune
system, and relieve stress. The research of Alan Hirsch, MD shows a
40% increase in penile engorgement with particular aromas. Whether
or not they are used with these findings in mind, essential oils of
Rose, Lavandula angustifolia,
Neroli, Jasmine, Ylang-Ylang, and Vanilla heighten the elegance of
the wedding occasion. Hydrosols of Lavender, Geranium (Pelargonium
graveolens), and Yarrow flowers invigorate and enliven ancient
tradition.
The
Bridal Shower: Invitations to the bridal shower, the wedding
ceremony, and the reception can all be scented with pure essential
oils to offer guests and aromatic taste of events to come. Essential
oils are diffused via candle diffusor or electric diffusor to scent
the room of the bridal shower. Bridal gifts are scented with
essential oils. Gifts of lingerie and stationary are wrapped in
tissue scented with essential oils.
Any books or paper items given as gifts are purchased two
weeks in advance, and scented. For books, place 2-4 drops of
essential oil on a piece of paper or scrap of fabric and lay them
between the book's pages. For paper, place 2-5 drops of essential
oil on cotton balls and place them in a box with the paper. Allow
these scented pages to sit and absorb the aroma for several weeks.
For a personal touch, leave scented ribbons to mark your favorite
passages or parts of a book. Or, give the gift of aromatherapy to
the bride-to-be. Be wary of aromatherapy bought in gift stores. For
a product to be considered true aromatherapy, with all the
stress-relieving, beneficial qualities of the plants from which they
come, the oils must be pure essential oils. Read labels carefully or
make your own gift by adding drops of pure essential oil to
unscented lotion, sweet almond oil, or an unscented cream. Use 10
drops of essential oil per ounce of lotion, cream, or oil. New Age
Creations makes an Aromatherapy First Aid Kit™ for Love and
Romance which contains all the oils needed to make a gift for the
bride-to-be. The Kit itself makes a lovely gift as well!
Rather than punch or soda, the
beverage of the day is carbonated water scented with essential oil
of Rose or Jasmine, or a combination of
1 part hydrosol to 3 parts carbonated water, or try some of
the other aromatherapy beverages or treats described below.
New Age Creations makes an
Aromatherapy
First Aid Kit™ for Love and Romance which contains
all the oils needed to make a gift for the bride-to-be. The Kit
itself makes a lovely gift as well!
The following recipes are from
Mindy Green's article "Culinary Aromatherapy" in
The World of Aromatherapy anthology:
Peach
Blush
3
ripe Peaches
1 cup plain yogurt
2 tablespoons honey
4 ice cubes
1-2 drops Mandarin essential oil
Whiz
everything together in a blender. Start with one drop
of essential oil and taste before adding more.
Lavender
Lemonade
2
cups prepared Lemonade
2 tablespoons Lavender hydrosol
For
a special touch, add ice made with fresh Lavender or
Violet flowers frozen into the cubes.
Aromatic
Honey
1/4
cup honey
1-2 drops Vanilla or Lavandula
angustifolia essential oil
Begin
with one drop, it is usually enough. Stir well. Serve with scones or
biscuits.
Aromatic
Whipped Cream
1/2
pint whipping cream
1-2 drops Rose or Neroli essential oil
Whip
cream to desired consistency, add essential oil and mix well. Start
with one drop only. Add sweetener if desired. Serve with
Strawberries or on simple dessert.
The Wedding Ritual:
Essential
oil worn by the bride will serve to enhance her aromatic beauty,
envelop her in an aromatic aura fit for a princess, and
calm her nerves! As she prepares for the exciting day, she relaxes
with regular foot soaks and massages and the regular use of
aromatherapy for body care. Five drops of Peppermint or Sage oil in
a foot bath soothes and relieves tired feet. Ten drops of essential
oil added to an ounce of unscented lotion can be used to tend the
feet, or anywhere on the body. While Peppermint and Sage are good
for the feet, floral oils such as Ylang-Ylang, Lavandula
angustifolia, and Neroli provide relief from jittery nerves and
tension. Aromatic baths of 5-7 drops of essential oil are swished
into the tub just before stepping in to increase the efficacy of
this stress relieving time.
Cotton balls with drops of
essential oil have been clipped to the inside of the bag holding the
bridal gown, to envelop the wearer in the scent of thousands of
flowers. Essential oils are diluted in carrier oil and applied to
the hair and body or diluted in alcohol to be worn as a perfume or
cologne on this special day. The bridal dressing room or waiting
room is well scented with a calming essential oil such as Lavandula
angustifolia. The bride is regularly misted
with Rose Geranium hydrosol with 2 drops of Rose oil added to calm
her nerves and keep her in a positive state of mind. The light
misting will also serve to set her make-up and keep her face from
perspiring. The families
of the couple and the members of the wedding party are not
forgotten, and they receive a regular refreshing spritz as well.
Essential oils are dripped on to cotton balls which are hidden into
the bouquet to emit magnificent fragrance throughout the wedding
ritual.
All corsages or other floral
arrangements which are worn or carried are scented with essential
oils. For men, a drop or two of Vanilla CO2 is placed the ribbon of a corsage. For women,
Neroli, Rose, or Lavandula
angustifolia is used. Cotton balls containing essential oils are
hidden in bouquets to be carried by the flower girl, the mother of
the bride, or others in the wedding party.
For an extra special entrance, two doormen
on stands spritz aromatic hydrosols just beyond the entrance,
creating a cooling and relaxing aromatic mist. The wedding hall is
dreamily aromatic via diffusors placed throughout, creating a scentual
connection between all in attendance. Candle diffusors are easily
placed among other candle arrangements. Essential oils are flammable
and are never dropped directly into a candle flame.
Slips of paper or ribbon with drops of essential oil are
placed in the attendance book two weeks prior to the occasion, so
the pages will emit delightful aroma as they are turned. After the
ceremony, the newlyweds exit through a shower of rice and rose
petals.
The Reception: Essential oils and hydrosols are incorporated into
recipes served at the reception. Especially wonderful is champagne
scented with one drop of Ylang-Ylang essential oil per bottle, and a
champagne fountain filled with aromatic hydrosol instead of
champagne. For alcohol-free receptions, essential oil and hydrosol
beverages such as those at the bridal shower add elegance. The icing
of the wedding cake is scented with essential oil of Rose or Neroli
essential oil. One drop of essential oil of Ginger per glass is
added to carbonated water is served after the reception dinner to
settle stomachs which may be upset from nerves and over-indulgence.
Of course, the reception hall is
filled with the aroma of diffusing essential oils as well. Rather
than candy, gifts to the guests are bundles of floral potpourri
including Rose petals and Lavender and scented with essential oils,
wrapped in silk to be placed under the pillow or to scent drawers or
paper. Bride's maid's gifts include small mister
bottles of aromatic hydrosols or stationary scented with essential
oils. Thank-you notes to
all attendants are scented with essential oils as well.
The Honeymoon: After such an enticingly aromatic celebration, the
newly married groom is certainly prepared for a honeymoon to
remember. The hotel has been contacted in advance, and the bridal
suite is delightfully aromatic upon entrance. Bridal lingerie is
scented with essential oil of Vanilla and drops of Lavandula
angustifolia is placed on the pillows and edge of the sheet.
Jasmine essential oil can also be used to recreate the Indian ritual
of the first night of matrimony spent on a bed of Jasmine flowers.
Massage oils scented with essential oil of Neroli, carbonated water
or champagne scented with Ylang-Ylang, and strawberries served with
Rose-scented whipped cream, and an aromatic honey add further
aromatic pleasure to a blissful honeymoon. Flower petals of fresh
Roses, and fresh Jasmine flowers are added to the bride's bath,
along with a drop or two of essential oil. This bath is taken before
romance to relax her mood and increase sensual desire. A more
elaborate bath for the same purpose includes the dried herbs of
Roses, Acacia flowers, Rosemary, Myrtle and Thyme.
One ounce of the
mixed herbs are gently simmered in a quart of water for 10 minutes,
then allowed to steep while the bath is drawn. The herbal water is
then strained into the bath, and a few drops of essential oils
swished in. [From
Herbs &
Things by Jeanne Rose, 1972]
After romance, the couple has a
sponge bath with a lightly fragrant hydrosol added to warm water. A
drop or two of essential oil are added to this as well, if desired.
This is a most relaxing, and bonding experience.
Aromatic
flowers and plants, resins, and oils have been used throughout
the ages for life's ceremonies. The use of essential oils and
hydrosols is reminiscent of this ancient tradition and are easily
incorporated into the great variety of cultural marriage traditions.
Perhaps they are used for their increasingly studied benefits to
mind, body, and emotions, or perhaps they are used simply to add
pleasure and to create fond aromatic memories of this special
occasion to all who participate.
The
Oils: The
following essential oils are most versatile for wedding celebrations
and romantic use. Although they tend to also be the most expensive,
remember that only a drop or two is used at any one time. The
Aromatherapy First Aid Kit™ for Love & Romance
contains all
the essential oils listed and a bottle of carrier oil at a very
reasonable price. The following information is from Aromantics
by Valerie Worwood and "The Women's Oils" article in
The
World of Aromatherapy.
Lavandula
angustifolia:
a steadying influence on the psyche; calming; relieves intellectual
indecisiveness. [Dr. Hirsch's research shows that the
aroma of Lavender, in combination with other aromas, has been
shown to have a physiologically aphrodisiac affect on males.]
Rose
(Rosa centifolia): luxurious, earthy yet erotically sexual; warm and
mysterious; traditional symbol of the Virgin Mary and of spiritual
union; good for confidence and bringing out deep emotion.
Neroli
(Citrus aurantium): calms highly charged emotional states; relaxing
yet stimulating; energetic and confident; helps to positively face
emotional fear.
Ylang-Ylang
extra (Cananga odorata):
soothes frustrations; excitingly exotic; sensually stimulating.
Vanilla
CO2 (Vanilla
planifolia): familiar and consoling; offers safety and unleashes
hidden sensuality. Jasmine (Jasminum officinale):
the mistress of the night; brings out a man's desires and fantasies
while accentuating the feminine and stimulating seduction;
traditionally associated with romance and union; lifts dark moods
and anxieties; relaxing and sedating.
Author
Bio:
Jeanne
Rose has been a practicing aromatherapist for 30 years, author of 18
books on herbs and aromatherapy and founder of the Institute of
Aromatic Studies with two courses in aromatherapy. The basic Course
is for those with some interest while the Intermediate/Advanced
Course is for those wishing to practice the arty and craft of
Aromatic Essential Oil Therapy.
Jeanne Rose's Correspondence course is approved for Nurses
for 150 CE.
References:
Rose, Jeanne. Herbs
& Things, Perigee, New York, 1973.
Rose, Jeanne and Susan
Earle, Editors. The World of
Aromatherapy, North Atlantic Books, Berkeley, 1996.
Worwood, Valerie Ann. Aromantics, Pan Books Ltd., London, 1987.
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