Make a Corsage & Boutonniere From Grocery Store Flowers

Whether you're looking to save money or want to try your hand at flower arranging, crafting a DIY corsage or boutonniere for your next big event is a great place to start. All you need is your favorite grocery store flowers and a few basic supplies.

Photo by: Cassidy Garcia

Cassidy Garcia

Today corsages and boutonnieres are typically reserved for life's special occasions, but it wasn't always that way. In fact, their history dates back to the 1700s. Boutonniere is the French word for "button hole." Early boutonnieres were simple, often comprised of a single stem. Men would traditionally wear these to ward off evil spirits, illness, bad odors and misfortune. Many men even took to wearing one on a daily basis. Nowadays, the daily boutonniere has been replaced by lapel pins.

Hundreds of years ago, women would wear flowers in the center of their dresses. Corsages were originally called "bouquet de corsage" and took their name from the bodice of a woman's dress. Eventually the name was shortened to corsage. They too were worn for the same reasons as boutonnieres, in addition to being a tradition at weddings. Since their origin, corsages have migrated to the wrist and hair. Nowadays, corsages and boutonnieres are given as gifts for dances, weddings, Mother's Day and even birthdays.

Photo by: Cassidy Garcia

Cassidy Garcia

The creative process in creating boutonnieres and corsages is endless. Assorted flowers, succulents, natural elements such as pinecones, decorative twigs and a lovely array of ribbons allow for diverse, unique touches. Designing them is almost as fun as wearing them! Grab our step-by-step tips for creating your own corsage and boutonniere below, then head to the grocery store and stock up on supplies. Here's what you'll need:

Supply List

  • corsage bracelet
  • corsage box
  • corsage glue
  • thin ribbon, twine or burlap
  • grocery store greenery, small blooms and filler flower
  • boutonniere pins
  • sticky floral tape
  • boutonniere box

Now take a peek at the gallery below to create your very own:

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