Who Gets Flowers at a Wedding?
Wedding flowers do more than bring color and beauty to your ceremony. Giving corsages, boutonnieres, or other floral accessories can provide a personal touch that can elevate the overall wedding experience, making it not just memorable for you but also for your loved ones. Flowers can signify special roles in the wedding, a special gesture to honor loved ones, or share a wedding favor for your guests.
But which of your guests should receive flowers on your wedding day? How do you decide who receives a special floral accessory at your wedding? That’s why Ling’s moment is here to guide you on some extra special floral ideas. Read on to see our suggestions about who gets flowers on a wedding day.
Types of wedding flowers for guests
There are a few floral accessories frequently used at weddings. First is the traditional wedding bouquet. Bridal bouquets date back to the 1600s. They’re one of the best ways for a bride to express her unique sense of style on her wedding day. In addition to the bridal bouquet, bridesmaids often carry smaller bouquets of their own for the ceremony. These bouquets can either be smaller versions of the bridal bouquet, or a completely unique design.
Another prevalent wedding accessory is the boutonniere. Boutonnieres are miniature bouquets worn on a suit jacket or tux. The word “boutonniere” comes from a French word meaning “buttonhole”, although modern boutonnieres are usually worn on the lapel. They’re usually worn by male guests, but there is no steadfast rule that they can’t be worn by any guest in a suit.
Finally, we have the corsage. A corsage is a small bouquet of flowers tied around the wrist, typically worn by women. In the U.S., corsages are typically associated with proms and special dances, but corsages are appropriate for any type of formal occasion. At weddings, corsages are often given to the mother of the bride, the groom’s mother, and the grandmothers of the main bridal party.
Flowers for the wedding party
The majority of guests who receive flowers will probably be in your wedding party. Flowers are one of the best ways to signify the special role that each member plays in your ceremony–and to honor and celebrate them as family and friends.
Bridesmaids usually carry a bouquet for the ceremony, you may also choose to give them a matching corsage to elevate the look. Another special way to call attention to your maid of honor is with a special bouquet or corsage to distinguish her from the other bridesmaids, but this is optional. It’s all about the small details. The bride and bridesmaids may choose to wear floral accessories in their hair, such as flower crowns or hairpins.
The groom will typically wear a boutonniere that compliments the bridal bouquet. His groomsmen routinely receive matching boutonnieres that compliment the bridesmaid’s bouquets. Like the maid of honor, the best man can receive a special boutonniere to signify his role in the ceremony.
Don’t forget the smallest members of your wedding party either! If you’ve chosen to have a ring bearer or flower girl in your ceremony, they’ll need floral accessories to signify their roles in the ceremony. Ring bearers often wear a small boutonniere, while flower girls will need petals to toss as well as floral decor for the basket. Like the bride and bridesmaids, a flower girl usually wears floral accessories in her hair.
Flowers for family members at a wedding
Outside of the wedding party, it’s customary to give immediate family members a corsage or boutonniere. These key members include:
- Mother of the bride
- Father of the Bride
- Mother of the Groom
- Father of the Groom
- Grandmother of the bride
- Grandfather of the bride
- Grandmother of the groom
- Grandfather of the groom
Step-parents may also receive a special corsage or boutonniere, so can siblings or step-siblings if they aren’t included in the ceremony. You can choose to honor more distant family members like aunts, uncles, or cousins.
In addition to family members, why not share special floral accessories to close friends that don’t have a place in the ceremony. There are no hard and fast rules. It’s all up to your personal discretion and budget. When you put that extra personalization into the ceremony it ensures that all family and friends feel extra special.
For example, if you’ve decided to give a corsage to your sister, it may be best to give one to your new sister-in-law. It’s about a day that celebrates love and unity.
Talk things over with your partner and use your best judgment when giving out flowers to your guests. So long as you’ve honored everyone that you want and are acting in good faith, you're bound to have a pleasant experience.
Flowers for other guests
Of course, no one says that flowers at your wedding can only go to a chosen few. If you’d like every guest at your wedding to receive at least a small something, you could provide an individual flower to guests either on arrival or before they leave.
You could go the extra mile, and beyond your guests expectations with a DIY station of flowers and greenery, where guests can create their own corsages or boutonnieres. This is easy to do with Ling’s moment foam and silk wedding flowers which are designed with DIY projects in mind.
Because Ling’s moment flowers never wilt, they also make fantastic mementos for your guests. After your wedding is over, you can give away floral arrangements from your ceremony and reception, or dismantle them and share individual flowers with your guests. This is a terrific way to thank guests who helped you clean up after the wedding is over. They’ll have an amazing souvenir of your special day, and you’ll be able to share the beauty of your wedding with those you love.
