FAQ About Corsages and Boutonnieres

If you have questions about corsages and boutonnieres for your wedding and want to know what is appropriate, you are not alone. As a wedding florist in a busy flower shop for 15 years, I noticed that many brides were unsure about what types of flowers were better for corsages and boutonnieres and wanted to know what was appropriate. Here are some of the most popular questions that kept coming up:

What is the difference between boutonnieres, corsages and wristlets?

The essential difference between a boutonniere and a corsage is the bow. Boutonnieres are for men and do not have a bow. They are worn on the lapel, on the left hand side close to the man’s heart. Corsages are for women, usually have a bow and are fancier. They can be worn on the lapel although they are not ideal for wearing on dresses with sheer or delicate material. Wristlets are corsages that have been attached to a bracelet for wearing on the left wrist. They are popular with the younger crowd and are worn almost exclusively at graduations and are often worn at weddings. It seems that grandmothers usually still prefer lapel corsages. Mothers are about 50/50.

Who wears body flowers at a wedding?

Boutonnieres are worn on the lapel by the men in the wedding party including the best man, the ring bearer, and the ushers. The lapels of the fathers of the bride and groom are also typically adorned with a boutonniere. Other important men in your life that you might also want to make boutonnieres for, although these are not necessary, are your grandfathers, your master of ceremony and minister. If any other significant men are participating in the wedding ceremony, such as an uncle or a brother, they are a candidate for receiving a boutonniere. Corsages are mainly worn by the matriarchs at the wedding such as the mother of the bride or groom. Also, sometimes the grandmothers are graced with the gift of a corsage. Finally, if any other women are taking a key role in the wedding ceremony such as a sister doing a reading or a girlfriend singing and playing the organ, it would be considerate to prepare a corsage for them.

How much do they cost each to make?

Here’s where you will save a lot of money by making your own. For example, whereas a typical boutonniere at a florist will cost you anywhere from $5 to $25 in Canada and in the United States, you can make them at home for $2-3 depending on which flowers you are using to make your boutonnieres and how good a deal you can get on your flowers. Why not make all the important men and women in your life feel special with a token of appreciation for their participation that will cost you so little to make. Corsages and boutonnieres can also be great for fund raising efforts since they can be made for much less than they can sell for, therefore allowing for a high profit margin. For the least expensive body flowers, make boutonnieres out of daisies or carnations. Mini carnations are the hardiest and cheapest.

How complicated is it to make boutonnieres and corsages?

Whether you are making one corsage or whether you are making 10 corsages you will have the same preparations to make. All you need is a step by step guide, and a little bit of time and patience. Corsages and boutonnieres are easy to make with the proper coaching.