CORSAGES AND BUTTONHOLES – THE BEST IDEAS
The fashions at weddings and school formals may change with the seasons, but the age-old custom of wearing a corsage or buttonhole is always spot-on.
It’s a tradition that dates back centuries yet it remains firmly in place at modern celebrations and formal occasions.
The most common way of wearing a corsage was pinned to the lapel on the right hand side of the outfit, but wristlets, hair flowers and handbag corsages are becoming increasingly popular. At weddings, corsages are usually worn by the mother of the bridge, the mother of the groom, the grandmothers and other important female guests.
The boutonniere is usually smaller than the corsage but complementary to it, and generally comprises a single flower (rose, orchid, carnation) which is bound together with a bit of foliage and some ribbon, and worn on the left lapel. These are either pinned on the lapel of the jacket or pushed through the buttonhole. Like their female counterparts, the significant males at the wedding will wear a buttonhole (eg groom, fathers and grandfathers of the bride and groom, best man and ushers).
The tradition at high school proms is for the girl to give the guy a buttonhole, whilst he presents her with a corsage.
At weddings, corsages are usually chosen to co-ordinate with the outfit of the wearer whilst buttonholes complement the existing colour theme.
Fresh flowers were traditionally the feature of corsages, which were usually made up of three larger blooms (eg orchids) wired together with a bit of elegant foliage and smaller blooms (eg baby’s breath), and accessorised with silk ribbon and a pearl pin for fastening.
Corsages may be old-fashioned but they are always getting a modern twist and creativity is the big trend, says a specialist in fresh flower delivery in Perth. These days, florists are using a variety of interesting materials such as pearls, organza, feathers, ribbon, crystals, diamante and lace together with realistic silk flowers to create stunning corsages and wristlets that can be kept as special mementos. They are also using magnets instead of pins to attach the corsages, thereby eliminating the possibility of damaging the fabrics of the outfits.
Always ask your local specialist in flowers in Perth about which varieties are the best ones to use for corsages and buttonholes – and don’t be scared to venture beyond the traditional roses, carnations and orchids. Remember that some people may be allergic to pollen and fragrance, so your florist will be the best person to ask for advice.
You should also order your Perth fresh flower delivery well ahead of the event, and even provide the florist with a swatch of the dress fabric to match the colour scheme. With the school formal season such a busy one, many florists get very booked up, so it’s wise to get in early.
When it comes to caring for your fresh flowers, the Perth florist suggests placing a moist cotton cloth over the stems before placing them in a sealed cellophane bag in the fridge. They can also be spritzed with a fine mist of water, and should be kept away from fruit which can give off a gas which causes flowers to age prematurely. And always – handle with care. Enjoy the special moment.