A considerable part of any wedding floral package consists of flowers used as fashion accessories. First and foremost is the corsage. Hardly a wedding has been seen where the mothers, grandmothers, or aunts aren't wearing some form of floral accent. For many years the most popular flower to use in corsages is the orchid. Orchids literally come in hundreds of colors and varieties, like the Catalaya, pictured above. Catalays are available in white, lavender, purple, and sometimes a bronzy gold tone.
Orchids are very light weight, as opposed to say standard size roses, thus, making them much more comfortable to wear, and much less trouble when pinned to the light weight fabrics wore at most of today's more casual weddings. Also, compared to other flowers, orchids are generally very sturdy and long lasting... allowing the floral designer to create these floral accessories up to two days before the wedding.
Some brides may be a bit shocked at the pricing of corsages and boutonnieres when they see a wedding flower quote. The answer for the pricing has a lot to do with the more intensive labor that goes into making a corsage. Skilled hands are needed to create a balanced and wearable corsage, and that skill factor indicates a higher cost as more time has to go into making the best corsage.
I have to say that I do not encourage the use of standard roses in worn flowers. Unless it is one single rose. A corsage with more than one standard size rose, in my opinion is too heavy for a lady to wear, on her dress or on her wrist.
Other flowers besides orchids that are very usable in corsages are Stephanotis and miniature or spray roses. Remember, the two most important factors are wearability and durability. Flowers that are light weight and long lasting are the best for corsages.
Above: a corsage of peach tones spray roses and variegated ivy.
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