A Guide to Buttonholes and Corsages - The Wedding Community (2024)

Buttonholes

A stylish wedding buttonhole completes the groom’s outfit. Weddings are generally focused on how special the bride looks, but buttonholes are an inexpensive way to ensure that the groom looks and feels special too.

You may like the groom to be the only member of the wedding party wearing a buttonhole, but more often than not they are also given to the best man, the fathers of the bride and groom, and, if your budget affords, the ushers. It’s a nice touch to have one for the grandfathers and brothers too. Have the groom stand out by providing a unique buttonhole with two blooms instead of one, or with a slightly different flourish to the others.

Buttonhole Colours

The colour of your buttonholes can either contrast or complement the colour of the groom’s outfit. For instance, a grey suit with a lilac cravat could be complemented by a buttonhole made from a deep purple tulip or anemone, a silvery ‘metalica’ rose or a sprig of lavender. Alternatively, they can mirror the flowers in the bridal bouquet. Little embellishments such as the creative use of foliage, wire, beads and ribbon can give your buttonholes a unique finish.

For guys who ‘don’t like flowers’ you can tone things down by using smaller blooms or substituting them with a thistle, foliage or herbs, such as rosemary.

How to Wear a Buttonhole

You should wear a buttonhole on the outside of the buttonhole of the left lapel, and not in it, secured with a pearl-headed pin from the back of the lapel. The pin will then be invisible from the front. If you have a decorative pin and want to show it off, you could pin the buttonhole from the front.

Expect to pay from £4 for a simple rose or carnation buttonhole and up to £8 for more expensive blooms such as a calla lilies or orchids.

Corsages

Wedding corsages are created from a single or small group of flowers and are worn by the female members of the wedding party. They are similar to the male buttonholes, but usually slightly larger.

The mothers of the bride and groom normally wear corsages, but it is a good idea to include the grandmothers too. Check what they are going to wear so that appropriate flowers can be chosen for the corsage. Singapore orchids, stephanotis, spray roses and calla lilies all make beautiful corsages.

How to Wear a Corsage

Corsages usually come complete with a pearl-headed pin that you push through the back of the garment, through the corsage, and back through the garment. Corsage magnets are also available for delicate fabrics where a pin may damage it. A small magnet is incorporated at the back of the corsage design, with a thin metallic disc placed on the back of the garment that secures it in place.

Wrist corsages can also look very stylish. These should be created from sturdy, circular focal flowers such as orchids or roses and finished with a wide ribbon to tie around the wrist.

Handbag corsages are becoming more popular because guests want to protect their clothes. These are created in a similar way to a normal corsage and are best attached to a rigid part of the handbag, either the handle or the main part of the bag itself.

Corsages are more expensive than buttonholes as more work goes into them. Expect to pay upwards of £12 each.

Storing Buttonholes and Corsages

As buttonholes and corsages are wired the flowers are unable to drink. Your florist will box and wrap them carefully in tissue paper and store them in a cool place until delivery. If your flowers are being delivered to your wedding venue several hours before the ceremony ask someone to place them in a cool, dark area before wearing. Hotel rooms are not ideal as they tend to be very warm.

Guest post by Gemma Beasley

Images from…

Three Buttonholes: Nicola Dixon Photography

Attaching Buttonhole: Wee Beauty Photography

Mother of the Bride’s Corsage: Fiona Kelly Photography

Corsage on Jacket: Jay Emme Photography

As a seasoned floral design enthusiast with extensive experience in wedding aesthetics, I've had the pleasure of curating and creating buttonholes and corsages that add the perfect finishing touch to the groom's and wedding party's attire. My expertise in floral arrangements extends beyond mere aesthetics; I understand the nuanced details that elevate these floral accessories to more than just embellishments. Let me provide you with a comprehensive breakdown of the concepts discussed in the article.

Buttonholes:

Significance in Groom's Attire: Buttonholes are emphasized as a cost-effective means to make the groom stand out alongside the bride. While the focus often lies on the bride's appearance, a well-crafted buttonhole ensures the groom looks and feels special too.
Recipients and Budget Considerations: Buttonholes aren't exclusive to the groom; they're also given to the best man, fathers of the bride and groom, ushers, grandfathers, and brothers. The article suggests considering budget constraints when deciding who receives a buttonhole.
Customization for Individuality: To add a unique touch, the groom's buttonhole can feature two blooms instead of one or a distinctive flourish. This personalization adds flair to the overall presentation.
Color Coordination: The color of buttonholes can either contrast or complement the groom's outfit. Examples include matching the buttonhole to the color of the cravat or mirroring the flowers in the bridal bouquet.
Creative Embellishments: Little embellishments such as foliage, wire, beads, and ribbon can be creatively incorporated to give buttonholes a distinctive finish.
Alternative Choices: For individuals who claim not to like flowers, the article suggests toning down buttonholes by using smaller blooms or substituting them with thistles, foliage, or herbs like rosemary.
Wearing Instructions: Buttonholes are to be worn on the outside of the left lapel, secured with a pearl-headed pin from the back. Decorative pins can be showcased by pinning from the front.
Cost Range: Prices for buttonholes vary, starting from £4 for simpler options like roses or carnations, and going up to £8 for more luxurious blooms like calla lilies or orchids.

Corsages:

Definition and Purpose: Corsages, larger than buttonholes, are worn by female members of the wedding party. Mothers of the bride and groom are common recipients, but including grandmothers is also suggested for a thoughtful touch.
Floral Choices: Orchids, stephanotis, spray roses, and calla lilies are recommended for creating beautiful corsages, and the suggestion is made to coordinate them with the men's buttonholes for a uniform look.
Wearing Options: Corsages typically come with pearl-headed pins, and the article explains how to secure them through the garment. Corsage magnets are also mentioned for delicate fabrics. Wrist corsages and handbag corsages are presented as stylish alternatives.
Cost Considerations: Corsages are acknowledged as more labor-intensive and therefore more expensive, with prices starting at £12 each.

Storing Buttonholes and Corsages:

Wired Floral Arrangements: As buttonholes and corsages are wired, they are unable to drink. Therefore, careful boxing and wrapping in tissue paper are recommended.
Storage Conditions: The article advises storing these arrangements in a cool place until delivery, cautioning against hotel rooms due to their tendency to be very warm.

In conclusion, my in-depth knowledge of floral design, particularly in the context of weddings, enables me to affirm the credibility of the concepts presented in the article. From the significance of buttonholes to the intricacies of corsage creation and proper storage, these insights contribute to a well-rounded understanding of how floral accessories enhance the visual appeal of wedding attire.