Floral centerpieces, garlands, and other accents will help you create a romantic ambiance at your wedding, but the flowers that you and your most important guests wear are just as important. At Conklyn’s Florist, serving the Alexandria community, our expert florists and wedding flower designers are here to help you make sure you have the perfect flowers for all the important people who will be attending your wedding.
Who Gets Flowers in a Wedding?
The flowers worn at a wedding are used to honor and signify your most important guests. They make your loved ones feel special and appreciated, while also helping other guests identify members of the wedding party and your close family.
Who Wears a Corsage in a Wedding?
Wedding Corsages for Bridesmaids
Wedding corsages are typically worn by bridesmaids and the flower girl, in addition to the mothers and grandmothers of the bride and groom. Other important female guests should have a corsage, or boutonniere, too. These include any women with whom you’re particularly close or who have a special role on your wedding day like giving a reading or greeting guests.
The bride can wear a corsage, but many prefer to carry their bridal bouquet without a corsage around the wrist.
Who Wears a Boutonniere in a Wedding?
Men’s Boutonniere
Although they are also worn by women, boutonnieres are traditionally worn by men. At a wedding, the groom, his groomsmen, and the ring bearer should all have boutonnieres. The fathers and grandfathers of the bride and groom should, too. Be sure to have a boutonniere ready for anyone performing a task at your wedding such as your officiant, ushers, greeters, and readers.
Non-Traditional Wedding Flower Ideas and Alternatives to Corsages and Boutonnieres
While wedding flower traditions provide a wonderful framework for planning your wedding day, they’re not hard-and-fast rules. There are plenty of alternatives to the traditionally worn wedding flowers, like corsages and boutonnieres. The only tradition we don’t recommend changing is giving flowers to all of the most important people at your wedding.
Alternative Wedding Flowers for Women
Women have a nearly endless list of floral alternatives to corsages. They can carry nosegay bouquets that look like miniatures of the bridal bouquet. They can wear flower crowns or accents in their hair. For a beach wedding, we recommend floral leis or anklets. If you like the idea of corsages, but want to update the look, we recommend a modern-styled wreath corsage that wraps all the way around the wrist.
Unexpected Floral Design Elements for Men
Boutonnieres for Men
When it comes to wedding flowers for men, boutonnieres are pretty much the mainstay, but that doesn’t mean there’s no room for creativity. We recommend choosing non-traditional elements that match your wedding style or theme. If you’re having a seasonal wedding, choose seasonal flowers, berries, leaves, herbs, or wheat. You can even incorporate unexpected embellishments like pearls, brooches, feathers, and twine. For a modern take on the boutonniere, request succulents instead of flowers.
Flowers for Your Furry Guests
Pets are important members of the family, and sometimes they get to attend weddings, too! Make them look official and festive with their own wearable wedding flowers. Most pets won’t tolerate flower crowns for long, so we recommend ordering a floral collar, leash, or harness. Just be sure to request that your florist avoid flowers that are toxic to dogs and/or cats like lilies, tulips, baby’s breath, chrysanthemums, and others.
Dog with Flower Collar
Traditional and Non-Traditional Wedding Flower Inspiration
Whether you choose to have your guests of honor in corsages and boutonnieres or alternative floral designs, our expert wedding florists at Conklyn’s Florist can help you select the best flowers and designs for your big day. We welcome you to contact us for more wedding flower inspiration and ideas!