Creating A Wedding Buttonhole: Simple Steps For Beginners

Wedding buttonholes are a great way to add a pop of colour and a personal touch to the wedding outfits of both male and female members of the wedding party. They are also one of the easiest wedding DIY projects to take on. You can use flowers of your choice, or even herbs like rosemary, and other foliage like mint leaves, eucalyptus cinerea, and hypericum berries. The first step is to trim and cut the stems to the required length, ensuring any unwanted leaves are removed. Each stem will then need to be wired and taped. The next step is to layer the flowers and foliage, starting with the largest flower, and then secure them together with florist tape. The buttonhole can then be stored in the fridge overnight. Finally, remember to assign someone to pin the buttonholes onto the wedding outfits.

Choosing flowers and foliage

The flowers and foliage you choose for your buttonhole will depend on the overall style and colour palette of your wedding, as well as the season and your own personal taste. You can opt for a single statement flower or a small bouquet of different blooms and greenery.

If you're making buttonholes for the groom and groomsmen, you might want to choose flowers that complement the bridal bouquet. For instance, you could select a few flat green leaves, a sprig of rosemary, and a white rose, as suggested by one source. Another option is to add a thistle for texture and a nod to Celtic heritage, or sunflowers to symbolise happiness.

Herbs like rosemary or mint are excellent choices for buttonholes, providing a beautiful scent and a unique touch. You can also incorporate non-floral elements such as hypericum berries or eucalyptus cinerea for added texture and interest.

Consider the weight of your chosen flowers, as heavier blooms will require thicker wire and stronger pins for attachment. If you're unsure, ask your florist for advice on which flowers will work best for buttonholes and be sure to do a trial run to ensure they hold up well.

Trimming and arranging flowers

Firstly, choose your flowers and greenery. For a simple buttonhole, select one statement flower, such as a rose, and add some flat green leaves, like holly or rosemary. You can also include other types of greenery or herbs, such as mint or eucalyptus, for added texture and interest.

Once you have your flowers, start by trimming them down to size. Remove any unwanted leaves and side shoots from the main flower, leaving about an inch of stem to attach the buttonhole to the suit. You can also cut each stem to a manageable length, approximately 9cm, but ensure you don't cut them too short at this stage, as you can always trim them shorter later.

Now, it's time to wire the stems. This step is optional but recommended, especially for delicate flowers. Cut a piece of stub wire, depending on the thickness of your flower stems, and position it one-third of the way up the stem. Bend the wire ends together, with one length shorter than the other. Hold the shorter length parallel to the stem and wrap the longer wire around both the stem and the wire. Straighten the long wire and repeat this process for all your flower stems.

The next step is to tape each wired stem. Use floral tape to cover the wire and help hold moisture for the flower. Stretch and pull the tape downward as you twirl the stem, ensuring a tight wrap without any gaps.

Now it's time to arrange the flowers. Start with your main flower, usually the largest and most statement bloom. In this case, it could be a white rose. Position the flat green leaf at the back, followed by a sprig of rosemary, and then place the rose on top. Ensure all the flowers are facing the same way, as this will be seen from the front.

Secure the stems together with floral tape, checking the arrangement is secure and no sharp wire ends are exposed. You can then trim the stems to the required length.

Your simple wedding buttonhole is now ready to be attached to the lapel of the suit.

Using wire to strengthen stems

To begin the process, cut each stem to the required length, which is approximately 9cm. You can always make it shorter at a later stage. Next, hold the flower between your thumb and index finger, and position a wire behind the stem one-third of the way up. Bend the wire ends together, with one length shorter than the other. Hold the shorter length of wire parallel to the stem and wrap the longer wire leg around both the stem and the other wire leg. Straighten the long wire, and repeat this process with all the flower stems.

After wiring each stem, the next step is to tape them. This step helps cover the wire and aids in holding moisture for the flower. Wrap floral tape around the top of the wire and flower stem, stretching and pulling the tape downward as you twirl the stem. Ensure that the tape is tightly wrapped without any gaps. Once all the flower stems are taped, cut the wired stems to the required length. Finally, secure tape over the exposed wires, making sure that no sharp ends are visible.

Taping stems together

Taping the stems together is an important step in creating a wedding buttonhole. It ensures that all the flowers are facing the same way and that the buttonhole is secure and ready to be worn.

To begin taping the stems together, start by selecting a floral tape that matches the colour of your stems as closely as possible. You don't want the tape to stand out too much and take away from the beauty of the flowers. Cut a small piece of the tape and place it at the top of the wired stems. Hold the stems together and start wrapping the tape tightly around them, stretching and pulling the tape downward as you twirl the stems. Make sure there are no gaps between the tape and the stems, as you want the tape to be secure and not come loose.

Repeat this process for each flower stem you are using, ensuring that they are all taped together securely. Once all the stems are taped together, you can cut the excess stem to the required length. If there are any exposed wires, be sure to cover them with tape as well, so there are no sharp ends showing.

Your buttonhole is now ready to be worn and will add a beautiful floral touch to the wedding outfits!

Attaching buttonhole to the lapel

Now that you've assembled your buttonhole, it's time to attach it to the lapel of the jacket. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Hold the buttonhole upright and lay it flat on the left lapel, just above the heart. This is the ideal placement for a buttonhole, as it should sit over the heart, not on the physical buttonhole itself, which can be quite high up.
• With the buttonhole in position, turn the lapel over to expose the back. Take the pin and, with your right hand, insert it through the flower stem at a slightly upward angle.
• Push the pin further in, and then guide it back through the stem and into the jacket fabric.
• Ensure the buttonhole is securely attached. You might want to add an extra pin, especially if the buttonhole is heavy or has a large-headed flower. This will ensure it stays firmly in place.
• If you're attaching buttonholes to children or delicate ladies' dresses, consider using magnets instead of pins for safety. You'll need to use multiple magnets, as one is usually not strong enough to hold the weight of the flowers.

And that's it! Your buttonhole is now securely attached to the lapel and ready for the big day.

Frequently asked questions