Who Wears Corsages At A Wedding
The wedding corsage is a common piece of wedding attire that the bride and bridal party usually wear on the big day. Whether you’re the bride or a bridesmaid, this floral adornment will make your outfit stand out from all the others in attendance.
But what is a corsage? Who wears corsages at a wedding? And how do you wear a corsage on the big day? Here we break down everything you need to know about these gorgeous flower accessories.
Jump to:
- What is a corsage?
- Who wears corsages at a wedding?
- What hand does a corsage go on?
- Wedding corsage ideas
- The flowers
- DIY wedding corsage
- Final thoughts
What is a corsage?
A corsage is a flower that is pinned onto the dress of a woman at a wedding or other formal occasion. The word “corsage” comes from the French word for “body.”
Wedding corsages have been worn since the 1700s but especially in the Victorian era. The sweet smell of the flowers was said to ward off evil spirits and illness.
A corsage was worn traditionally pinned on top of the bodice of the gown, nowadays a wrist corsage is more common than one pinned to the dress.
Corsages are still popular at weddings and formal occasions today. They are also commonly worn at dances like prom night. The focal flowers in the flower corsages often match the woman’s dress.
Who wears corsages at wedding?
A wedding corsage is traditionally worn by any other wedding party members who identify as female. Traditionally the corsages are worn by the bridal party, the mother of the bride, sisters, aunts, and grandmothers of the bride.
It can also be a piece that recognizes the most impactful people in the bride’s life, so they can also be worn by some guests or other VIP members at the wedding. If a cousin or friend is doing a reading, for example, she could be given a corsage too.
Similar to a corsage, a boutonniere (also known as an “attache”) sits at shoulder level and is more commonly worn by males at a wedding
What hand does a corsage go on?
Usually, a corsage is worn on the left wrist. This is because most people are right-handed but it is not a set rule that you have to pick the left side.
Though many wedding corsages are created to be pinned onto the dress, it’s most commonly worn on the wrist.
Wedding corsage ideas
If wearing and giving others a wedding corsage sounds great for your upcoming nuptials, here are 6 beautiful ideas you may wish to consider so you can find your perfect corsage. Some are fashion statements and some are more minimal.
- Oversize corsage – if wearing a corsage is acceptable, consider an oversize corsage that reaches from your shoulder to around bust level. This is a great floral statement piece! Smaller wrist corsages can be made for the other wedding members to match this oversize corsage.
- Corsage rings – If you don’t want to wear your corsage on your wrist, your florist can create a mini-ring corsage instead with a small flower arrangement.
- Textured corsage – use a variety of flora and fauna textures to add depth to your corsage. You can mix and match fresh and dried flowers, ribbon, lace, and even paper.
- Hanging corsage – a bit like a pomander, a hanging corsage has a ribbon or similar around your wrist, and a mini bouquet hanging from it featuring your favorite flowers. This is a great option for younger members of the wedding party like flower girls. The ribbon acts as a handle reducing the likelihood of dropped or lost flowers.
- Bracelet corsage – why not incorporate your bridesmaid gifts and corsage together? A bracelet makes the ideal ‘frame’ for a corsage to be built upon and the bracelet can be kept as a special memento, especially if it’s made over a cuff or bracelet.
- Headband corsage – A hand-crafted corsage headband makes a beautiful statement piece.
The flowers
The types of flowers used in your wedding corsage can match the colors of your wedding theme, or utilize the favorite wedding flowers of the bride or groom.
You could also embrace the natural flora of your venue and choose florals that are local to your wedding spot. The flower type can be a personal choice and a nice way to share something special with those at your wedding.
If you’re on a tight budget, the wedding corsages can be made with artificial flowers. This will also ensure that they last forever.
DIY wedding corsage
Wedding corsages are more simple to make yourself than other wedding floral pieces. Making the corsages can be a fun activity for the bridal parties to make with the bride.
If you’re looking to create your own corsage for your bridesmaids or family members attending your event, keep these tips in mind:
- Select fresh flowers over fake ones if possible
- Consider using different types of greenery to give your arrangements more dimension
- Look for stems that are sturdy enough to hold up throughout the ceremony and reception
Final thoughts
Wedding corsages are a beautiful piece of wedding attire to add to your bridal party’s wedding look.
Whether you get them as part of a wedding package from your wedding florist or you decide to make them yourself, they are a special touch to have on the wedding day.
After the wedding, the corsages can also be dried and kept as a memento of the special day.
