All you need to know about Boutonnieres and Corsages (2024)

FAQs

What are some facts about corsages and boutonnieres? ›

Interestingly, there was a time in history where men would wear a boutonnière on Mother's Day, as well as women wearing corsages. There was also significance in what color you would wear, white or red. Red or pink flowers indicated that your mother was alive and white was used to indicate that she had passed away.

The simple answer is that a corsage is typically worn by the woman on her left chest(pin-on) or wrist(wristlet) while the boutonniere is worn by the man on his left lapel. There are several different styles of corsages and boutonnieres which can be customized to match the dress color.

A corsage (and a boutonniere) should match and complement your date's attire. So even if you're going with a pre-made design, be sure the flower and ribbon colors match or complement your date's outfit. The last thing you want is to present your date with a corsage that clashes terribly with his or her outfit.

Traditionally, the guy pays for the corsage and the girl pays for the boutonniere, as each person is gifting the flowers to their date. However, it's common for couples dating for awhile to choose their flowers together or for one half of the pair to place the order for both to ensure the flowers coordinate.

Similar to a wedding bouquet, in the 16th century, boutonnières were used to ward off bad luck and evil spirits. It was also used to keep bad scents away and was believed to protect against diseases. In the 18th century, however, many wore boutonnières as fashion statements.

When attending a school formal or prom, providing a corsage for a prom date signifies consideration and generosity, as the corsage is meant to symbolize and honor the person wearing it.

The color of your corsage should match the color of the dress or contrast the outfit. Rather it should enhance the outfit. That being said, choosing the color is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to your corsage.

If you don't know what your date will be wearing, opt for a neutral color (like white) and the florist can spruce up the look with some bling. You can also select the exact flowers used on the corsage—roses, carnation, orchids, and lilies are all popular options.

A: Traditionally, a corsage is worn on the left wrist, but these days it's not uncommon to see it worn on the right wrist. The corsage wearer should feel comfortable and proud to display it in pictures and at their formal event, so it's a personal preference.

Buy A Corsage Or Flowers

Prom tradition says the guy presents his date with a beautiful floral corsage. What's a corsage, you ask? It's a small bouquet of flowers worn on a female's wrist. (Your date will likely buy a similar boutonniere for the lapel of your tux.)

How much should I pay for corsage? ›

Carnations and alstroemeria corsages tend to be the least expensive, typically ranging from $15 to $20. Corsages using roses and orchids are moderately expensive, typically ranging from $20 to $45. Expensive corsages including Calla lilies typically range from $30 to $35.

Groom's boutonniere: The groom's boutonniere is paid for by the groom or groom's parents. Groomsmen boutonnieres: Similar to the groom's boutonniere, the groom's family pays for the best man and groomsmen boutonnieres.

Corsages and boutonnieres are a way to honor important people in your life. If your families and friends don't really know each other, and they see someone at the reception wearing a corsage or boutonniere, then they know immediately that person is someone special to you.

This means keeping the corsage in the fridge, but how long will you be able to keep it in the fridge? The simple answer is you will want to keep the corsage in the fridge for up to 24 hours if it has the flowers on it already.

In ancient times, flowers were often worn to special events to ward off evil spirits. Herbs and flowers were thought to be effective at keeping evil at bay, particularly during weddings or other momentous occasions. Special participants wore corsages to keep themselves safe.

Women, on the other hand, would wear corsages as a way to match their partner's boutonniere and to enhance their formal look. Over time, the tradition of wearing corsages and boutonnieres to Prom became more popular, and it is now considered a staple of the event.