Wired Organza

CORSAGES AND BUTTONHOLES – THE BEST IDEAS

 Even though fashions change each season, and styles at weddings, balls and high-school proms come and go, the age-old custom of wearing a buttonhole or corsage with a formal outfit remains firmly in vogue.

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.   Corsages at weddings are generally worn by the bride’s mother, the groom’s mother, grandmothers as well as other female VIPs. 

The buttonhole is worn on the left lapel, and generally comprises a single flower bloom such as a rose, carnation or orchid.  These can be pinned on or pushed through the buttonhole.  Buttonholes are worn by the VIP males at the wedding, including the groom, the best man, the ushers and the fathers and grandfathers of the bride and groom. 

The tradition is for the girls going to the prom to present their partners with a buttonhole whilst the buys present the girls with a corsage.

With regards to colour schemes, the colour of the wearer’s outfit usually dictates what the corsages and buttonholes will look like, but it’s generally accepted that they should complement each other.

The old-fashioned way (but still in fashion) of making a corsage was to wire together a few larger fresh flowers (eg orchids, roses etc) with some delicate foliage and smaller flowers (eg gypsophila), and to tie them together with silk ribbon and fasten with a pearl-topped pin. 

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.  Florists are using a number of different materials to create gorgeous corsages and beautiful wristbands that can be kept as special mementos, and these include silk flowers, pearls, lace, organza, feathers, diamante, crystal, ribbon and feathers.  The florists are also using strong magnets instead of pins to attach the corsages, so that the fabric doesn’t get damaged.

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.  If the wearer is allergic to pollen or fragrance (and remember to check this before they start sneezing!), then the florist is best qualified to advise on what flowers will be suitable.

It’s also advisable to order the fresh flowers well ahead of time, and if you’re really organised – you can provide the florist with a sample of the dress fabric so that the colours can match perfectly.  The ‘ball season’ and the spring ‘wedding season’ are very busy times for florists, so it’s always a god idea to get in early.

To keep the fresh flower corsage beautiful prior to wearing them, the Perth flower delivery specialists recommend placing a damp cotton cloth over the stems and then placing in a plastic bag in the fridge).  If necessary, spritz with a fine mist of water and avoid placing the corsage near ripening fruit which can give off ethylene gas which causes premature ageing (of flowers…. not humans !).  And the last word…..always handle with great care.  Enjoy the special occasion.

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