In Victorian times, every bride had to have her tussie mussie, to symbolize all her hopes and dreams for her marriage. A tussie mussie is a little herbal posy with bound stems, made of traditional flowers and herbs with symbolic meanings. To make one, begin with a rose bud in the middle (red for passion, white for purity). Surround it with sprigs of rosemary for remembrance, lavender for devotion, myrtle for everlasting love, sage for virtue, ivy for friendship. Tuck in a few orange blossoms for fertility and carnations for love. Bind the stems with florist's tape, add a lacy bow, and place in a special tussie mussie holder, a fancy paper doily, or a lovely antique hanky.

For more wedding ideas, consult these resources:

• The Bride's Herbal, by Bertha Reppert. Available from Rosemary House, 120 South Market St., Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
• Planning Your Herbal Wedding, by Betsy Williams. Available from Betsy Williams's The Proper Season, 155 Chestnut Street, Andover, MA 01810
• Herbal Weddings, Past and Present, by Theresa Loe. Available from Country Thyme Productions, PO Box 3090, El Segundo CA 90245.