* All the floral designs featured in this post were created by Limewood Flowers with love.
‘What is a corsage?’
‘Who is supposed to wear a buttonhole?’
These are all common questions, and exactly what your florist is there to help you with! This handy wedding flower checklist is perfect if you’re just starting on your wedding planning journey and wondering what wedding flowers you need. These are the most frequently requested personal flower arrangements from my six years of experience flowering weddings in the UK.
Before we dive in, there’s one important thing I want to share: Limewood Flowers is an inclusive wedding florist. If a ‘bridal’ bouquet or a ‘groom’s’ buttonhole isn’t for you, that’s totally fine! Just describe your perfect wedding flowers, and I’ll create them for you. Groom’s bouquets? Yes, please! Floral cape? Absolutely! Floral collar? I love it. Even a whole floral outfit—I’m up for the challenge!
Personal wedding flowers checklist
1. Bridal bouquet
The most essential wedding flower arrangement in Western traditions. Originally associated with church weddings, it is now the centerpiece of civil ceremonies, celebrant weddings, and fusion or multicultural weddings across the world.
Traditionally, the bridal bouquet was held in the right hand, while the bride’s left hand took her father’s arm as he walked her down the aisle.
The colours, style, and flowers in the bridal bouquet are seen by the florist as setting the tone for the whole day. For example, if you describe a wild and abundant bouquet with trailing foliage, your florist will already have an idea of how the ceremony flowers might look and even your wedding reception tables. It should be personal to you and reflect what you love.
As a florist, I pick the most beautiful flowers from your selection to go into the bridal bouquet. These flowers will become part of your memories, perhaps even the first flowers you will see on your wedding morning —the moment when you realise, “It’s really happening.” It has to be a special arrangement, so I always give the bridal bouquet extra time and attention.
Do brides really need a bouquet?
Top tip: Even if you don’t like the idea of a fresh flower bouquet, make sure you have something to hold. It helps avoid that “what do I do with my hands?” feeling when the nerves start to kick in!
2. Bridesmaid and maid of honour bouquets
Accompanying the bride are her closest friends. Traditionally referred to as ‘maids,’ there is a growing trend of bridesmen and bridesthem, which I absolutely love. These friends also carry a bouquet, usually smaller than the bridal bouquet and in a similar style.
In recent years, single-flower variety or single-colour bridesmaid bouquets have become increasingly popular in the same way mix-and-match outfits have. As a florist, this fuels my creativity and I feel it adds a little extra style to your day. It also feels more personal – each bridesmaid can choose which bouquet they love the most.
I should also say it doesn’t have to be a bouquet. A quick search for alternative bridesmaid bouquets will reveal plenty of creative options! As a wedding florist, I’d say the only rule is for the bouquet (or alternative) to be in keeping with the rest of your wedding style. For example, a chic handbag with flowers on the top would suit a black-tie wedding, while woven willow hoops of flowers would be perfect for an outdoor marquee garden wedding.
Did you know that in the USA, tradition has bridesmaids walking down the aisle before the bride, while in the UK, the bridesmaids follow the bride?
3. Groom's buttonhole
Or, if you’re from the USA, a boutonniere. This tiny ‘bouquet’ of flowers is worn on the left lapel above the heart. In the past, suit jackets had actual buttonholes where the flowers would be placed, but now they’re simply pinned on, giving you one less thing to worry about on your wedding morning.
Don’t worry—pins will be provided with your buttonhole!
No one seems to know the exact origin of wearing buttonholes, but most versions seem to agree that they were worn to identify important members of the wedding party (more on that in a moment!) and superstition says they should be sweet smelling to ward off evil spirits.
All of this means that the Groom’s buttonhole is the most special. I always create mine using some of the same flower types and silk ribbon as the bridal bouquet.
Top tip: Let your florist know the colour of your suit, waistcoat, tie, and/or pocket square so they can ensure your buttonhole coordinates perfectly with your entire outfit.
4. Buttonholes for the best man, ushers, dads and brothers
In case you haven’t worked it out yet, buttonholes are traditionally worn by the men in the wedding party. Similar to bridesmaid bouquets, these are usually smaller than the groom’s buttonhole but designed in a similar style to keep the overall look cohesive.
You can spend forever Googling who is supposed to wear them, but remember—it’s your day. Speak to your family, find out if it’s important to them to wear one, and make the decision that feels right for you as a couple.
If you’re also wondering what an usher is, you’re probably referring to them as groomsmen—that’s the term used in the USA. The term usher comes from their traditional role. On a wedding day, the groom’s friends and male relatives would usher wedding guests to their seats, ensuring everyone was in the right place at the right time.
5. Corsages for mums and grans
This is often the point where couples start feeling overwhelmed when choosing their personal wedding flowers.
As a florist, I always explain common traditions, but there’s absolutely no pressure from me to follow any of them. Just like with buttonholes, speak to your family, find out if wearing one is important to them, and then decide if it feels right for you as a couple.
So, what exactly is a corsage? Simply put, it’s the female version of a buttonhole, and similar traditions apply. Corsages are a beautiful way to highlight the important women in your life—traditionally, mums and sometimes grans.
The difference is in how a corsage is worn and now there are options!
Traditional corsage
The traditional corsage is similar in style to a buttonhole but usually a little larger. It’s worn upside down, with the stems pointing upwards. Don’t worry—it’s designed this way, and it won’t look strange! It’s pinned on the right side, typically on a jacket.
Wrist corsage
A modern version that is perfect for summer weddings. A traditional corsage can be quite heavy and pull the fabric of a summer dress. A wrist corsage is lighter and more comfortable while still making the ladies in your life feel special. I always design wrist corsages with a length of silk ribbon to tie in a bow, adding to the overall look. As with buttonholes, I love making these coordinate with the colours the ladies are wearing, so let me know what colours they’ve chosen!
If this sounds a lot, let me remind you, it is your day.
All of the personal flower arrangements mentioned so far are those seen as most essential for English weddings. However, here are a few more that you might be keen on.
6. Flower crowns, floral combs, flower pins and floral headbands
In short—flowers for your hair. Whether you’re looking to accentuate your hairstyle with delicate flowers or go all out with a statement floral crown, anything is possible.
The most important thing is that it is comfortable to wear and stays in place!
Every type of hair flowers can be designed in a variety of ways. My top tip is to tell your florist how you want to look instead of asking for a particular type of hair flowers. You might want a floral crown, but it could completely cover your beautifully styled hair. In this case, four floral combs would achieve the same look while showing off your fabulous hair style.
Traditionally, flower crowns were often reserved for younger bridesmaids and flower girls, while the bride may have a more sophisticated floral accent with a few individual floral pins or a flower comb.
But, as I always say—this is your day! Traditions are just that. If you’d like everyone at your wedding to wear a floral crown, that’s entirely up to you!
Floral headbands for little ones
If you’re wondering what a floral headband is, you’re not alone. This is my recommendation for anyone under 10 years old. Flower crowns typically need to be pinned into hair by a hairdresser, and little ones can find this quite uncomfortable. A smaller, alice-band-style headband of flowers avoids this. They can easily be popped on by family and taken off without disturbing their hairstyle, and should get everyone down the aisle and through the photos without any tantrums.
Headbands are also perfect for mums when the little ones are tired of wearing them.
Another alternative for the smallest people in your wedding party is a floral wand, which leads me onto flower girl petals, baskets and other things.
7. Flower girl petals, baskets and wands
Christian weddings traditionally included a flower girl who would scatter petals from a basket along the aisle before the bride. It is such an adorable part of the day that many couples continue this tradition.If your flower girl is a little shy, you can opt for an older bridesmaid or family member to walk with them and scatter the petals.
Another option is for your flower girl(s) to walk down the aisle with you or your bridesmaids. A floral wand or a posy of flowers is a lovely gift for them to hold, and gives them something to twirl with during those quieter moments of waiting.
If you love the idea but it doesn’t suit the small people in your life, you can make your own traditions. More and more couples are doing this, and your imagination is the only limit—flower grannies, flower men handing out beers, or even a bubble aisle. The only criteria seems to be that they walk down the aisle before the ‘bride’.
8. Page boys
Another one of those old traditions from the days when noblemen would have a page that assisted them. Traditionally, page boys at weddings might help the ushers or carry the train on the brides dress. Much like flower girls, the tradition has continued, mainly because of how adorable it is.
If your page boys are wearing outfits that match the groom or groomsmen, they could also wear a smaller buttonhole that mirrors theirs. If you’re concerned about sharp pins, simply ask your florist to use a magnet instead.
Again, it is all about your day and what is important to you.
It's always the flowers!
Flowers do make it feel like a wedding. Whether you choose to follow a tradition or make your own, flowers have been a central part of weddings for hundreds of years. It is a feeling you cannot appreciate until it is your turn.
Can you imagine your day without a bouquet?
If you cannot, then please enquire to check our availability for your date.
