With prom season upon us and wedding season waiting in the wings, I thought it would be interesting to investigate the history and significance of corsages. These floral wristlets or lapel pins usually incorporate roses, orchids or other beautiful blooms. The wrist corsage is usually tied with pretty ribbon bows around the wrist (or ankle in a new trend).
When it comes to weddings, the corsages can easily be considered less important than other floral arrangements, like alter flowers and the bride’s bouquet. But the corsages traditionally given to the mother and grandmother of the bride and groom can be treasured keepsakes and beautiful finishing touches.
Wedding corsages date back to the introduction of wedding flowers, when the ancient Greeks used the flowers’ perfume like fragrances to “ward off evil spirits” during the nuptial ceremony. Not only did the bride carry her bouquet, but the other female members of the wedding party would make small bunches of flowers which they would hold or pin to their clothing.
Wedding corsages continue to be a staple of the wedding ceremony, and their design has been unchanged for the most part. They usually consist of a few small rose buds or other flower blooms and some ribbon which coordinates with the bride’s color scheme.
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