Grandparents And Wedding Flowers: A Guide

Flowers are a large part of wedding decor, and it's typical that special guests and family members get flowers. While it's not necessary to give flowers to grandparents, it's a nice way to honour them and make them feel special. It's customary to give grandfathers a boutonnière and grandmothers a traditional pin-on corsage. However, it's not uncommon for couples to skip flowers for grandparents to save money or because they have sensitive family dynamics. Ultimately, it's a personal preference, and there are other ways to honour grandparents at a wedding if desired.

Corsages for grandmothers

Flowers are a large part of wedding décor. From bouquets to centrepieces, flowers are used to personalise your wedding. It is customary to include parents and grandparents in your floral order. Flowers are a way to honour and recognise their spot in your life.

For grandmothers, it is customary to give them a traditional pin-on corsage. These can be bought or made from leftover flowers and greenery. Etsy offers a wide range of pin-on corsages, including artificial flowers, dried flowers, and silk flowers. You can also modernise the corsage with a wrist corsage or a flower bracelet.

Corsages are a nice gesture and a way to include grandparents in your special day. It is not necessary, but it is a thoughtful way to honour them.

Boutonnieres for grandfathers

Flowers are a large part of wedding décor, and they are also a way to honour and recognise important people in your life. It is customary to give flowers to grandparents, and for grandfathers, a boutonniere will do the trick.

A wedding boutonniere is a single flower or a small cluster of flowers, typically reserved for formal occasions. They are worn on the left lapel of a suit or tuxedo jacket, over the heart. Traditionally, the stems would be placed through a small buttonhole, but now they are often fastened with pins, as many modern jackets don't have buttonholes. If your grandfather is not wearing a jacket, the boutonniere can be pinned directly to a vest, dress shirt, or suspenders instead.

The groom's family might consider gifting the grandfathers a boutonniere to show gratitude for their presence at the wedding. It is a special gesture and a way to make them feel included. The groom's boutonniere may be more elaborate than the others, to make him stand out. The groomsmen's boutonnieres should complement the wedding's colour scheme and the groomsmen's attire.

When it comes to the type of flowers used, traditionally, the groom's boutonniere would include the same types of flowers as the bride's bouquet, or at least flowers of a similar style and colour. However, it is ultimately up to the couple, and any floral traditions should reflect their preferences.

Honouring grandparents without flowers

Flowers are a common way to honour grandparents at a wedding, but they are not the only option. Here are some ideas for honouring grandparents without flowers:

Special Roles

One way to make your grandparents feel special is to give them a role in the wedding ceremony. You could ask your grandmother to be your flower girl or one of your bridesmaids. Or, if you're looking for something a little less traditional, why not have your grandfather be your ring bearer? Having a grandparent participate in the wedding procession is a wonderful way to honour them and create a memorable moment.

Special Mentions

Another idea is to have your officiant mention your grandparents during the ceremony. They could simply note their presence and express your joy at having them attend. Alternatively, you could include a reading that was read at your grandparents' wedding, or play a special song that holds significance for them. These gestures will undoubtedly touch your grandparents and make them feel valued.

Special Seating

Consider having your grandparents escorted to their seats and seated beside your parents in the front row or the second row. This way, they will be close to the action and feel like VIP guests. You could also reserve a front-row seat for a late grandparent by placing their jacket on a chair, blocking off the seat with ribbons and a custom sign, or placing a bouquet of flowers on the chair.

Special Displays

If you want to honour your grandparents visually, you can incorporate their wedding portrait into your reception decor. You could also create a photo display honouring your grandparents and other deceased family members. Alternatively, hire an artist to draw or paint a portrait of your grandparents, which you can then display at the ceremony and later in your home.

Special Recipes

Food is a great way to bring people together and honour family traditions. Consider serving your grandparents' favourite recipes or signature dishes at the reception. For example, you could offer cookies made from your grandmother's award-winning recipe or a special combination of olives and cheese that your grandfather loved. Your guests will appreciate the thoughtful touch, and your grandparents will feel remembered.

DIY flowers for grandparents

Flowers for grandparents are not a necessity at weddings, but they are a thoughtful way to honour and recognise them. If you are looking to create DIY flowers for grandparents, here are some ideas to get you started:

Types of Flowers

• Corsages: Grandmothers usually prefer traditional pin-on corsages. You can make these more modern by creating wrist corsages instead.
• Boutonnieres: Grandfathers typically wear boutonnieres, which can be similar to those worn by the groom and groomsmen.

Flower Choices

• Single Rose: You can create a simple yet elegant boutonniere or corsage with a single rose.
• Carnation: Like roses, carnations are a popular choice for DIY flower arrangements.
• Baby's Breath: Adding baby's breath to your flower arrangement can give it a delicate and whimsical touch.

Materials

• Ribbon: Use ribbon to wrap around the stems of your flower arrangement. This will help to secure the flowers and add a decorative touch.
• Greenery: Adding greenery, such as leaves or small sprigs, can enhance the visual appeal of your flower arrangement.

Other Tips

• Pinterest: This platform is a great source of inspiration for DIY flower projects. You can find step-by-step guides and creative ideas to help you design your own flower arrangements.
• Wholesale Flower Shops: If you are looking to purchase flowers and materials, wholesale flower shops can offer a great selection at reasonable prices.
• Friends and Family: Consider reaching out to friends or family members with floral experience. They may be able to provide guidance or even help you create the flower arrangements.

Grandparents' flowers: to match or not to match?

Flowers are a large part of any wedding décor. From bouquets to boutonnieres, flowers are used to honour and recognise the people closest to the couple. But what about grandparents?

It is customary to include parents in the floral order, and the same rule applies to grandparents. Flowers are a way to honour them and recognise their spot in your life. For grandfathers, a boutonniere similar to the groom and groomsmen is standard, while grandmothers usually receive a traditional pin-on corsage. However, it is not mandatory to give flowers to grandparents, and some couples choose to skip them to save money or due to a lack of importance.

If you do decide to include grandparents in your floral order, it is essential to consider their size and the size of the flowers. For example, a large sunflower on the wrist of a petite woman could overwhelm her frame, while a dainty single flower on a strongly built man may get lost. You should also ensure that the flowers complement the shape, colour, or floral choices of the bridal bouquet.

When it comes to matching, it is generally recommended that the grandparents' flowers match the groom and groomsmen for grandfathers and the bridal bouquet for grandmothers. This creates a cohesive look and ensures that the flowers complement each other. However, ultimately, the decision to match or not to match grandparents' flowers is a personal preference, and there is no right or wrong answer.

Some couples may choose to give grandparents flowers that match their wedding colours or the grandparents' favourite flowers. Others may opt for a more modern look with a wrist corsage for grandmothers or a unique boutonniere design for grandfathers. Ultimately, the decision on whether or not to match grandparents' flowers depends on the couple's preferences, budget, and the significance of flowers in their wedding décor.

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