Tiny, wearable flower arrangements known as corsages have traditionally been bestowed on the mothers and grandmothers of the bride and groom, but they can also be given to anyone else the couple wants to acknowledge -- a soloist or reader, a godmother, or an aunt.

Type of Flower
A corsage should complement the wearer yet blend in with the rest of the wedding flowers. You might plan each corsage around its wearer's favorite flower. A diverse group of corsages will look harmonious when each is framed identically -- with a spray of tiny buds or a single impressive leaf.

For a more uniform look, consider matching the blooms in the bridal bouquet or the groomsmen's boutonnieres. If the bouquet is made from roses and ribbon streamers, for example, a simple corsage of ribbon-wrapped rosebuds is a sweet choice.

An important note: Ask your florist about the stamina of the flowers you have chosen. On an extremely hot or cold day, blooms that arrived looking luscious may wither long before the reception -- or even the ceremony -- has ended.

Color
To be certain the arrangement will not clash with the recipient's ensemble, ask what she will be wearing. For mothers and bridesmaids, you will most likely be able to offer fabric swatches to help the florist match flowers to dresses. Or again, let the wedding party's flowers guide you. Even if all the corsages are made from the same flowers, the stems of each arrangement can be wrapped in a shade of ribbon to match each individual outfit.

Shape and Placement
For taller guests, a cascade of blooms or larger flowers may be flattering. For petite guests, a bud or single bloom simply wrapped in ribbon will be more to scale. Most corsages are pinned onto an ensemble -- at a lapel, or the chest or waist -- with a long decorative pearl- or jewel-topped pin. Pretty as these pins are, though, they can damage some delicate fabrics. So if you know that someone will be wearing a lightweight silk dress, for example, consider making hers a wrist corsage or another alternative.