Boutonnieres and corsages are one of those wedding details that feel small — until they’re missing from the photos. Done well, they tie your whole wedding party together and add a polished, intentional finish to every look. Done poorly (or forgotten entirely), they stick out in every picture for the rest of your life.
We’re Poppies and Peonies, a boutique wedding florist based in Anderson, SC, and we design boutonnieres and corsages for weddings across the Upstate — from intimate ceremonies in Seneca to larger celebrations in Greenville. Here’s everything you need to know before you decide what to order.
Who Gets a Boutonniere at a Wedding?
This is the question we get most often. The short answer: anyone standing at the altar or playing a formal role. The longer answer depends on your wedding’s size and style.
The Standard List
- Groom — always; this is the statement piece that sets the tone
- Groomsmen — matching or coordinating with the groom’s, slightly simpler
- Fathers of the bride and groom — typically a classic, understated design
- Ring bearer — optional, but sweet for photos; often a small single stem
- Officiant — often overlooked, but they’re in every ceremony photo
Extended Family and Honored Guests
Grandfathers, stepfathers, and male family members with a special role (ushers, readers) are common additions. Some couples also do boutonnieres for brothers or close friends who aren’t officially in the wedding party but are meaningful to the day.
There’s no rule that says you have to include everyone — just be consistent within a tier. If you do grandfathers, do all of them.
Who Gets a Corsage?
Corsages are traditionally given to mothers and grandmothers of the couple, though modern weddings have expanded that list considerably.
Traditional Corsage Recipients
- Mother of the bride
- Mother of the groom
- Grandmothers (if they’re able to wear one comfortably)
- Stepmothers with a significant role in the couple’s life
Pin-On vs. Wrist Corsage: Which Should You Choose?
This comes down to personal preference and the outfit. Pin-on corsages are classic and photograph beautifully, but they require a fabric that can take a pin without damage — so not ideal for delicate silk or chiffon. Wrist corsages are easier to wear and work with almost any outfit, but they can feel bulkier and sometimes slip during dancing.
Our recommendation: ask your mothers what they prefer. They’ll wear it all day, and their comfort matters more than tradition.
Boutonniere Styles: What’s Available
The style of boutonniere you choose should feel like a natural extension of your overall floral palette — not an afterthought pinned on at the last minute.
Classic Single-Stem
One bloom, wrapped stem, clean and timeless. Works beautifully with a white or blush rose, a garden rose, a ranunculus, or a simple tulip. This is the go-to for traditional weddings and black-tie events. Pairs with almost any suit or tuxedo without competing with the lapel.
Layered or Textural
Multiple elements — a focal bloom, accent flowers, greenery, maybe a berry or feather — layered together for depth. This style works well for garden, boho, and rustic wedding aesthetics. It takes more materials and time, so it sits at the higher end of our price range, but it photographs beautifully up close.
Greenery-Forward
Eucalyptus, fern, Italian ruscus, or dusty miller as the primary element, with a small bloom tucked in or even no bloom at all. A perfect fit for minimalist or earthy-toned weddings where the greenery does the talking. Also a great budget-friendly option when you love the look but want to keep costs down.
Dried and Boho
Dried or preserved blooms — pampas grass, dried lavender, preserved eucalyptus, dried cotton — give a warm, textured look that’s been very popular in Upstate SC weddings over the past few years. Dried boutonnieres are also more durable on a hot summer day, which matters if your ceremony is outdoors.
Pocket Boutonniere
Instead of pinning to the lapel, a pocket boutonniere tucks into the breast pocket of the jacket. Works best with structured suit pockets and a compact bloom. It’s a cleaner look that avoids the pin-hole-in-the-lapel problem entirely.
Seasonal Flowers for Boutonnieres in South Carolina
One of the advantages of working with a local SC florist is that we know what’s available — and what will hold up — in each season.
Spring (March–May)
Ranunculus, peonies, sweet peas, tulips, anemones. The most abundant season for lush, soft blooms. If you have a spring wedding date, this is your moment for the most variety at the best prices.
Summer (June–August)
Dahlias, sunflowers, lisianthus, zinnias, garden roses. South Carolina summers are warm and humid — choose hardy blooms that won’t wilt in the heat, and plan for boutonnieres to be stored cool until the last possible moment before pinning.
Fall (September–November)
Dahlias, chrysanthemums, marigolds, dried elements, deep-toned roses. Fall is peak wedding season in the Upstate, and the cooler temperatures mean flowers hold up beautifully through the entire day. Rich burgundies, terracottas, and deep plums are naturals for this season.
Winter (December–February)
Garden roses (year-round via import), evergreen sprigs, berries, anemones, and dried elements. Winter wedding florals have an elegance all their own — and the cooler air keeps everything looking fresh.
How to Pin a Boutonniere (Without Ruining the Lapel)
This comes up at almost every wedding we work on. Someone’s hands are shaking, no one’s sure which side it goes on, and the lapel is silk.
A few simple rules:
- Left lapel, always — worn over the heart, stem pointing down
- Use the pin at an angle, going through the back of the lapel and back out the front (catching the fabric, not stabbing straight through)
- Two pins through the stem keeps it from rotating during the day
- Pin through the lapel buttonhole if there is one — it’s literally designed for this
We always include extra pins with each boutonniere, and we’re happy to walk your wedding coordinator or a family member through the pinning process before the ceremony.
How Much Do Boutonnieres and Corsages Cost?
At Poppies and Peonies, boutonnieres typically run $25–$55 each, depending on the design complexity and flower choices. Corsages range from $35–$65 each, with wrist styles usually landing slightly higher than pin-on.
For a full wedding party of 6 groomsmen + 2 dads + a ring bearer, plus 2 mothers and 2 grandmothers, you’re looking at a combined range of roughly $350–$700 — a meaningful line item, but one that photographs in every formal portrait of the day.
We always design boutonnieres and corsages as part of your full floral proposal, so they coordinate seamlessly with your bridal bouquet and ceremony florals. You won’t end up with a pink boutonniere and a coral bouquet because someone ordered them separately.
Ready to Design Yours?
Boutonnieres and corsages are one of those details we genuinely love getting right — because when they’re cohesive with everything else, they disappear into the photos in the best possible way. Your guests won’t notice them consciously; they’ll just feel like the whole day was beautifully put together.
We serve couples throughout Anderson, Greenville, Clemson, Seneca, and the Upstate SC region. If you’re starting to plan your wedding florals and want to talk through what would work for your day, we’d love to hear from you.
Reach out here to start the conversation. And if you’re also thinking about coordination alongside your florals, our wedding planning services are built to make sure every detail — including these ones — is handled.
