Boutonnieres & Corsages: The Complete Wedding Guide

Boutonnieres and corsages are the small details that complete the floral picture for the men and family members in your wedding party – and when done well, they tie the entire colour story together with an elegant finishing touch. This complete guide explains every style, flower choice, and practical consideration for wedding boutonnieres and corsages, with specific advice for Toronto and GTA couples planning their 2026 wedding.

What Are Wedding Boutonnieres and Corsages?

A boutonniere (also spelled “buttonhole” in British English) is a small floral arrangement worn pinned to the lapel of a jacket or suit. It is traditionally worn by the groom, groomsmen, the father of the bride, the father of the groom, and sometimes the ring bearer and ushers. The boutonniere has roots in Victorian flower-language tradition – a groom would take a flower from the bride’s bouquet and wear it on his lapel to show they were connected.

A corsage is a small floral arrangement worn on the wrist (wrist corsage) or pinned to the chest (pin-on corsage). Corsages are typically worn by the mothers of the bride and groom, grandmothers, and other special family members who are part of the wedding but not the formal bridal party. They are a meaningful way to honour these important family members with a floral keepsake.

Boutonniere Styles: From Classic to Contemporary

The Classic Single-Flower Boutonniere

A single rose, ranunculus, garden rose, or dahlia wrapped with ribbon and finished with a small leaf or sprig of greenery is the most enduring boutonniere style. It is elegant, unfussy, and universally flattering. For a Toronto wedding with a classic or formal aesthetic, a single white rose boutonniere is almost always the right choice. It photographs cleanly, complements almost any suit colour, and echoes the bridal bouquet without competing with it.

The Textural Boutonniere

A textural boutonniere foregoes a single dominant bloom in favour of a cluster of smaller elements – waxflower, berries (hypericum, coffee berries), eucalyptus buds, dusty miller, and dried herbs. This style has a naturalistic, artisanal quality and suits rustic, bohemian, and garden wedding aesthetics. It is particularly well-suited to outdoor venues in the GTA’s green belt – Aurora, King City, and the Thornhill countryside.

The Architectural Boutonniere

For a modern, minimalist wedding, a boutonniere built around strong structural elements – a calla lily bud, a sprig of rosemary, a wrapped succulent, or a geometric arrangement of air plants – creates a distinctive, editorial look. These arrangements pair naturally with sleek, dark suits and contemporary urban venues in downtown Toronto.

The Dried and Preserved Boutonniere

Dried roses, preserved strawflowers, cotton stems, and small dried grasses make striking boutonnieres that do not require refrigeration and last indefinitely as keepsakes. These are a practical option when the groomsmen are getting ready at different locations or when the wedding party needs flowers well in advance of the ceremony.

Corsage Styles for Mothers and Grandmothers

The Wrist Corsage

The wrist corsage is worn on a ribbon, elastic band, or bracelet on the wrist, leaving the hands free. It is the most comfortable option for an active wedding day and is particularly popular among mothers of the bride and groom who will be dancing, greeting guests, and posing for numerous photographs. Modern wrist corsages have moved well beyond the oversized, stiff arrangements of earlier decades – today’s versions are compact, soft, and beautifully crafted.

The Pin-On Corsage

A pin-on corsage is attached to the clothing with corsage pins. It is a more traditional option, preferred by some grandmothers and older family members. The challenge with pin-on corsages is that they require a fabric that can accept pins gracefully – structured wool crepe or thick jacquard works well, while delicate chiffon or silk should always be fitted with a magnetic corsage pin instead to avoid fabric damage.

The Flower Crown Alternative

Some families opt for a small flower crown or hair comb for younger flower girls or junior family members instead of a corsage – a charming alternative that photographs beautifully and avoids any pinning concerns.

Choosing Boutonniere and Corsage Flowers

The golden rule is that boutonnieres and corsages should draw from the same palette and flower varieties as the bridal bouquet and bridesmaid posies, creating a through-line that unifies all the wedding florals. If the bridal bouquet is built around white garden roses and eucalyptus, the groom’s boutonniere might feature a single white garden rose with a sprig of eucalyptus, tied with the same ribbon colour used on the bouquet handle. This level of coordination is what separates a genuinely well-designed wedding floral program from a collection of individual arrangements that simply coexist.

How to Pin a Boutonniere (and Why It Matters)

An incorrectly pinned boutonniere will sag, twist, or detach within an hour, which is both visually awkward and a source of stress on the wedding day. Here is the correct technique:

1. Position the boutonniere on the left lapel, roughly at the buttonhole (if one is present) or slightly above the pocket square.
2. Insert the corsage pin through the back of the lapel, through the bound stem of the boutonniere, and back through the lapel in the opposite direction – creating a secure “X” with the stem.
3. Use two pins for heavier arrangements to prevent spinning or sagging.
4. Do not rush this step. A pinning session of 3-5 minutes per person ensures the boutonniere will stay in place through the ceremony, the reception, and the dance floor.

Flower Empire delivers boutonnieres with the correct number of corsage pins and can provide written instructions for pinning them correctly. If you are having a getting-ready photo session, the photographer often captures the boutonniere pinning moment – it is worth getting right.

Boutonniere and Corsage Costs in Toronto

Boutonniere and corsage pricing in the GTA is generally as follows:

• Standard boutonniere (single flower + greenery): $25-$50
• Premium boutonniere (garden rose, peony, sculptural design): $50-$90
• Wrist corsage (standard flowers): $40-$80
• Wrist corsage (premium flowers, elaborate design): $80-$140
• Pin-on corsage: $30-$65

For a full picture of overall wedding flower costs, including boutonnieres in the context of a complete floral package, see our guide to wedding flower costs in Toronto and the GTA. First-time wedding clients at Flower Empire save 15% on all boutonnieres and corsages with code EMPIRE15.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who typically wears a boutonniere at a wedding?

The groom always wears one. Beyond that, standard practice includes the groomsmen, best man, fathers of the bride and groom, ring bearer, officiants (check their preference), and ushers. Some couples also include grandfathers or other honoured family members. At your consultation, provide Flower Empire with a full list of who needs a boutonniere so nothing is missed.

Should the groom’s boutonniere be different from the groomsmen’s?

Yes, a small distinction helps identify the groom in photographs. A common approach is to give the groom a slightly larger or more elaborate boutonniere – a full garden rose where the groomsmen have a spray rose, or the groom’s boutonniere in white while the groomsmen’s are in a complementary accent colour.

What colour boutonniere works with a navy suit?

Navy is one of the most versatile suit colours for boutonnieres. White, cream, blush, and dusty rose all look elegant and photograph beautifully against navy. For a bolder look, deep burgundy or rich coral creates a striking contrast. Avoid orange tones, which can clash with the blue undertones of most navy fabrics.

How are corsages attached without damaging delicate fabric?

For delicate fabrics like chiffon, silk, or lace, ask for magnetic corsage pins – two small magnets that sandwich the fabric between them, holding the corsage securely without any piercing. These are available as standard from Flower Empire upon request. They are particularly important for mothers wearing fine couture or designer garments.

How early do boutonnieres need to be ordered?

Boutonnieres are typically ordered as part of your overall wedding floral package, ideally 3-4 months in advance. However, as they require fewer speciality blooms than a bridal bouquet, last-minute boutonniere orders (1-2 weeks out) can sometimes be accommodated depending on availability. Contact us and we will do our best to help.

Can I incorporate something sentimental into a boutonniere?

Absolutely. Grooms often incorporate a small charm, a piece of fabric from a parent’s wedding garment, or a sprig of an herb with personal meaning (rosemary for remembrance, lavender for devotion) into their boutonniere. Tell your florist what you have in mind and we will design around it beautifully.

Order Wedding Flowers from Flower Empire

Flower Empire’s wedding team serves Toronto, Thornhill, Vaughan, Mississauga, Markham, and across the GTA, crafting boutonnieres, corsages, and complete wedding floral packages tailored to every budget and aesthetic. For the full picture on bridal party flowers, read our guide to hand-held wedding flowers including bridesmaids’ posies and flower girl arrangements. Visit our wedding flower collection, or explore our love and romance arrangements for anniversary and pre-wedding gifting. First-time wedding clients receive 15% off with code EMPIRE15. Call us at (416) 388-0409, email info@flowerempire.ca, or message us on WhatsApp for a fast quote.

Flower Empire – 126 Willowdale Ave, North York, ON M2N 4Y2 · (416) 388-0409 · info@flowerempire.ca