How Many Flower Corsages Do You Need for Your Wedding?
Planning the floral details for your wedding involves more than just the bridal bouquet and centerpieces. Corsages are a traditional way to honor special family members and participants in your wedding, but determining exactly how many you need can be tricky. This guide will help you calculate the right number while staying within your budget.
Essential Corsages (The Must-Haves)
Mothers of the couple: This is the most traditional and widely expected corsage tradition. You'll need one for your mother and one for your partner's mother.
Grandmothers: If grandmothers are attending and able to wear corsages, they're typically included. Count both maternal and paternal grandmothers from both sides if they're present.
Total essential corsages: 2-6 (depending on how many mothers and grandmothers are attending)
Additional Family Member Corsages
Stepmothers: If you have close relationships with stepmothers, they should receive the same treatment as biological mothers.
Godmothers or honorary mothers: Women who played significant maternal roles in your life may warrant corsages.
Great-grandmothers: If great-grandmothers are attending, they're often included in the corsage tradition.
Sisters not in the wedding party: Some couples choose to give corsages to sisters who aren't bridesmaids.
Wedding Party Considerations
Bridesmaids: Modern bridesmaids typically don't wear corsages, as they carry bouquets instead. However, if you're having a very small wedding party or want a vintage feel, you might choose corsages over bouquets.
Flower girls: Young flower girls sometimes wear small corsages instead of carrying bouquets, especially if they're very young.
Female officiant: If your officiant is female and someone special to you (like a family friend), a corsage might be appropriate.
Special Circumstances
Memorial corsages: Some couples choose to have a designated family member wear a special corsage in memory of deceased loved ones.
VIP guests: Occasionally, couples honor very special family friends or mentors with corsages.
Cultural considerations: Some cultures or families have specific traditions about who receives corsages.
Calculating Your Total
Small wedding (under 50 guests): 2-4 corsages
Mothers: 2
Grandmothers: 0-2
Medium wedding (50-150 guests): 4-8 corsages
Mothers: 2
Grandmothers: 2-4
Additional family: 0-2
Large wedding (over 150 guests): 6-12 corsages
Mothers: 2
Grandmothers: 2-6
Additional family: 2-4
Budgeting for Corsages
Corsages typically cost between $15-40 each, depending on your location and flower choices. Factor this into your overall floral budget, which usually represents 8-10% of your total wedding budget.
Money-saving tips:
Choose flowers that complement your other arrangements
Opt for smaller, simpler designs
Use seasonal flowers
Consider wrist corsages instead of pin-on varieties (often less expensive)
Practical Considerations
Pin-on vs. wrist corsages: Consider the comfort and clothing of the recipients. Older guests often prefer wrist corsages as they don't damage clothing or require pinning assistance.
Flower allergies: Check if any corsage recipients have flower allergies before finalizing your choices.
Coordination: Ensure corsages complement but don't compete with the overall wedding aesthetic and the recipients' planned attire.
Making the Final Decision
Start with the essentials: Always include mothers and grandmothers if they're attending and physically able to wear corsages.
Consider relationships: Think about which women in your life would feel honored to receive a corsage versus those who might feel awkward or burdened by one.
Ask family input: Your families might have expectations about corsage traditions, so it's worth discussing with them during planning.
Stay within budget: It's better to give beautiful corsages to fewer people than to stretch your budget too thin trying to include everyone.
Alternative Ideas
If you're concerned about leaving people out or going over budget, consider these alternatives:
Small bouquets: Give small hand-tied bouquets instead of corsages Boutonnieres for everyone: Include special women in the boutonniere tradition with feminine versions Photo flowers: Give flowers specifically for photos that don't need to be worn all day Memory flowers: Create a special arrangement that honors multiple people without individual corsages
Timeline for Ordering
Order corsages 2-3 weeks before your wedding, but finalize your count at least a month in advance. This gives you time to communicate with your florist and make any necessary adjustments.
Final Recommendations
For most weddings, plan on 4-8 corsages total. The exact number depends on your family structure, relationships, budget, and personal preferences. Remember that corsages are meant to honor special people in your life, so focus on those who would genuinely appreciate this gesture rather than feeling obligated to include everyone.
The most important thing is that your corsage choices feel authentic to your relationships and fit comfortably within your wedding budget. When in doubt, it's perfectly acceptable to ask family members directly if they would like to wear a corsage or if they have any preferences about style or flowers.
