In Shakespearean times love-besotted grooms pinned nosegays to their doublets and nosegays were also carried, especially by ladies, to press to the nose at highly emotional moments. Later in the Victorian era grooms plucked one perfect blossom from their brides' bouquets to pin on their lapels, which, with minor variations, is what buttonholes are about. At one time it was fashionable to pin one's buttonhole on upside down, so its blossoms would not fade too soon. The Edwardian age grooms preferred to wear aromatic, ivory-hued gardenias in their lapels as a formal elegant choice.
Corsages are normally larger than a buttonhole and can be made of the same or similar flowers as those in the bride's bouquet. The mothers of the bride and groom will wear corsages and so may the grandmothers and other important guests. Corsages can also be pinned to the lapel as with a buttonhole or alternatively worn on the wrist or attached to a handbag or purse.