15 Elegant Mother of the Bride Corsages & Alternatives (2024)

15 Elegant Mother of the Bride Corsages & Alternatives (1)Photo:A Heart String Wedding Co.

Mothers of the bride and groom play an important role in any wedding celebration. But since they’re not necessarily a part of the bridal party, they don’t need to carry a wedding bouquet down the aisle.

They do, however, need something that makes them stand out from the other guests and shows that they’re a big part of your day.

And the way that most couples choose to honor mom is with a wedding corsage.

There’s nothing wrong with a pretty flower arrangement on a stretchy wristband, but it’s not exactly a fresh, new concept. Mothers of the bride and groom have been wearing wrist corsages forever.

Looking for a cool, modern way to make your mom stand out at your wedding?

Here are 15 great ideas (and alternatives) for mother of the bride corsages.

1. Floral Necklace


If flowers can be attached to a wristband and worn as a bracelet, why not mix it up and add them to a necklace instead?

Getting married in the city or having a rustic wedding on afarm? There are endless ways that you can incorporate small flowers into a delicate necklace that will make mom stand out.

Having a tropical wedding? This one’s a no-brainer:

Give mom a Hawaiian-inspired lei!

2. Floral Hair Accessory


15 Elegant Mother of the Bride Corsages & Alternatives (2)

Is mom planning to wear her hair pulled back or pulled up on one side?

A floral hair clip may be just what she needs!

Buy a few sturdy, functional hair clips and give them to your florist to decorate with the same flowers or greenery in your bridal bouquet.

Still looking for bridesmaids dresses?

Bella Bridesmaidshas got you covered!

3. Nosegay Bouquet


A nosegay bouquet is a perfect way for mom to carry flowers down the aisle without having to hold the same bouquet as the bridesmaids.

15 Elegant Mother of the Bride Corsages & Alternatives (3)

A few floral stems bound with ribbon is all you need to make her feel like an integral part of your big day.

4. Tussie Mussie


It’s kind of fun to say “tussie mussie,” isn’t it?

A tussie mussie (or tussy mussy) is similar to a nosegay bouquet in that it’s a petite, delicate floral arrangement. The only difference is that a tussy mussy includes a slim metal holder so mom doesn’t have to hold the actual stems.

5. Small Boutonniere


15 Elegant Mother of the Bride Corsages & Alternatives (4)

Boutonnieres aren’t just for thegroomsmen. In fact, a small boutonniere is perfect for the mother of the bride or groom, as long as her dress has sleeves or wide straps.

Boutonnieres can be one single flower or a large cluster of flowers (depending on mom’s style).

If her dress is made from sturdy, woven fabric, she can pin on the flower. If she’s wearing a lightweight dress made from chiffon or crepe, she can use mini-magnets to hold the flowers in place. That way, she won’t have to worry about damaging her delicate dress.

6. Ring Corsage


Nothing says feminine and chic quite like a ring made out of fresh flowers! If mom wants something truly one-of-a-kind, have your florist make a small corsage that she can wear right on her finger.

7. Floral Hoop


Perfect for a boho wedding, a simple wooden hoop embellished with flowers or greenery can make a big statement coming down the aisle. (Especially if mom's the one carrying it!)

This accessory would fit right in at any wedding that takes after Troian Bellisario’s outdoor “I Do”s — and that’s no lie.

If you’re on a tight budget, you can make a DIYwedding corsage out of silk flowers, and mom can have it as a keepsake when the wedding is over.

Related: Your Ultimate Guide toWedding Budgets

8. Floral Spray for a Clutch Bag


Is mom planning to carry a wristlet clutch bag or a chic little minaudière?

Instead of the traditional flower corsage, have your florist create a floral spray that she can attach to her bag.

She’ll thank you for not having to wear that itchy stretch band around her wrist all night!

9. Embellished Brooch


There’s no rule that says mothers of the bride and groom have to wear a floral corsage. If your mommas are more into bling and glitz, present them with an embellished brooch instead!

Give her a crystal or rhinestone brooch in the shape of flowers, and she’ll be able to wear it on special occasions for years to come.

10. Corsage Bracelet


15 Elegant Mother of the Bride Corsages & Alternatives (5)Photo:Daniel Kim Photography

Want to find the perfect balance between classic tradition and fashion-forward style?

A wrist corsage can be elevated simply by attaching flowers to an actual bracelet.

To make this DIY project as simple as possible, look for abracelet with a flexible rubber mount. That will make it super easy to adhere flowers, greenery, and other embellishments.

11. Floral Cuff


If mom’s going for an understated, shabby-chic look, a metal cuff bracelet is the way to go. You can decorate it with a single hydrangea or calla lily in the center, wrap the whole cuff in silk flowers, or add dried flowers for a more rustic look.

You can even skip the flowers altogether and decorate it with succulents instead!

12. Feather Corsage or Boutonniere


Trying to keep your flower budget to a minimum?

Feathers make a great alternative!

On a brooch, on a wristband, on a necklace … any corsage that you can make with flowers you can make with feathers instead.

Better yet — if your wedding dress happens to be a Kendall Jenner feather moment, the corsages will fit right in!

13. Pearl Bracelet with Flowers


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A multi-strand pearl bracelet is chic and elegant on its own. But weave some flowers or ribbons through it and you’ve got something really special. Coordinate it with her dress or with your wedding flowers — the choice is yours!

14. Make a Classic Corsage Look New


Some brides and grooms are big on tradition. So if you want your mothers to wear classic wrist corsages, go for it!

If you want to give it a fresher, more modern look, ask your florist to incorporate pearls or rhinestones for some extra glitz.

15. Skip the Corsage Altogether!


The first rule of wedding planning is that it’s your day, and you can do whatever you want. And if that means skipping the corsage altogether, then so be it.

Need help with Dad's outfit? Readthis:

How to Dress Dad: Father of the Bride Suits

Conclusion


Presenting your mother with a corsage on your wedding day is a simple yet sweet way to show her just how much you love her.

The day might be all about you and your spouse-to-be, but every day of the year, even your wedding day, is a good day to honor your mom!

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15 Elegant Mother of the Bride Corsages & Alternatives (2024)

FAQs

What is the alternative to the corsage for the mother of the bride? ›

Small Boutonniere

In fact, a small boutonniere is perfect for the mother of the bride or groom, as long as her dress has sleeves or wide straps. Boutonnieres can be one single flower or a large cluster of flowers (depending on mom's style). If her dress is made from sturdy, woven fabric, she can pin on the flower.

What is the etiquette for the mother of the bride corsage? ›

corsages for the ladies are traditionally worn differently, and are typically for the mother of the bride and mother of the groom (and grandmothers). If you have a chest-worn corsage, use a pin and affix to the chest on the right side, and upside down - stem upwards, flower pointing downwards.

Do mothers of the bride still wear corsages? ›

The bride's mother, groom's mother, all the grandmothers, and any female readers during your ceremony traditionally wear a corsage on their wrist, or a pinned corsage to their clothing. If you have a female officiant that you really connect with, you could even consider giving them a corsage as well.

What flowers do the mother of the bride and groom wear? ›

Tradition calls for corsages to be given to mothers of the bride and groom. For a different approach, pin a flower in her hair or give her a small nosegay to carry. While lilies and roses are classics, incorporating each mother's favorite flower or one that complements her ensemble is a thoughtful gesture.

Where does mother of bride corsage go? ›

Here we have the men with buttonholes, the men are wearing them correctly on the left hand side and outside of the jacket showing the stem and flower. Both the mothers of the bride and groom is wearing a corsage on there right hand side.

Are wrist corsages still in style for wedding? ›

Are wrist corsages still in style for weddings? Absolutely! The tradition of gifting and wearing corsages still persists at weddings to this day. You'll typically give them to important female guests that you'd like to extend a special honor to.

What color corsage do you wear on mother's Day? ›

The Tradition And Colors

For the uninitiated, the longstanding Mother's Day tradition in the South is that we wear flowers to honor our mothers and to reflect their position in life: Is your mother here with us? If so, you should wear red or pink flowers. However, if she has crossed over, you should wear white.

Do you wear a corsage on the left or right side? ›

It is customary to place the corsage on the left side of your date's dress or on her left wrist. However, the placement of corsages and boutonnieres have changed along with fashion. Originally, corsages were pinned to the bodice of a dress, but later moved from a centered position to a shoulder strap.

Should the corsage match the dress? ›

The color of your corsage should match the color of the dress or contrast the outfit. Rather it should enhance the outfit. That being said, choosing the color is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to your corsage.

What should the mother of the bride not do? ›

So, a basic rule of wedding etiquette is that the mother of the bride should not outshine her daughter. So, don't choose gowns or dresses that would overpower the bridal gown. Also, try to avoid loud patterns that will overwhelm in photos and make you stand out from the rest of the wedding party.

Does the mother of the bride carry a purse down the aisle? ›

As the mother of the bride, you might be asked to hold many of the brides' trinkets and larger things like shoes. For that, we recommend a medium sized handbag such as the BRYANT MED or ADDIE MED.

Which is better, a wrist corsage or pin? ›

Also, corsage pins can damage delicate fabrics leaving permanent pin holes. Wrist corsages are probably the most preferred, but you have to make sure they will work with decorative cuffs and sleeves.

What color is the mother of the bride? ›

Typically the Mother of the Bride's dress should complement the bridal party's color palette. Not necessarily match with the bridesmaids, but choose a color in the color family. The most popular color for the mother of the bride to wear is navy or a royal blue, followed by blush or a shade of nude.

What do parents pay for their daughter's wedding? ›

How much do parents pay? On average, parents pay between 35-40% of the wedding costs. If you follow tradition, the bride's family is expected to meet the bigger portion of the wedding expenses. But since money is like a gift to your wedding, you should be thankful for what the parents offer.

What to wear instead of a corsage? ›

Grab (or make) a pair of simple wrist cuffs and embellish them to create the ultimate corsage alternative for prom. You can add bits of pretty fabric and lace from the craft store, plus fake or real flowers, beads, and even costume jewelry. This is a one-of-a-kind look that will turn heads in the best way.

What are alternative materials for corsages? ›

Ideas for Alternative Corsages

Other attractive materials for your alternative corsage include hair bows, flamingo feathers, peaco*ck feathers, rhinestones or a sparkly brooch. I like the idea of mixing sparkly jewels with flowy, colorful feathers.

What can your flower girl carry down the aisle instead of flowers? ›

Balloons: Go for a completely different look, by having your flower girls carry balloons down the aisle. Depending on the theme of your wedding, use color, all white, or different shape balloons.

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