Brewer's: Orange Blossoms Worn at Weddings

The Saracen brides used to wear orange blossoms as an emblem of fecundity; and occasionally the same emblem may have been worn by European brides ever since the time of the Crusades; but the general adoption of wreaths of orange blossoms for brides is comparatively a modern practice, due especially to the recent taste for flower-language. The subject of bridal decorations being made a study, and the orange flower being found suitable, from the use made of it by the ancient Saracens, it was introduced by modistes as a fit ornament for brides. The notion once planted, soon became a custom, now very generally adopted by those who study the conventions of society, and follow the accepted fashions. (See Olive.)

To gather orange blossoms.

To look for a wife. A bride wears orange blossoms to indicate the hope of fruitfulness, no tree being more prolific. An orange tree of moderate size will yield three or four thousand oranges in a year, and the blossom being white, is a symbol of innocence and chastity. The orange was also used by Cardinal Wolsey as a pomander. It is said that some sweet oranges turn bitter by neglect.

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894

Orangeman

Orange-tawny