Creating Wedding Boutonnieres With Artificial Flowers

Creating a wedding boutonnière with artificial flowers is a fun and creative way to add a unique touch to your special day. Boutonnières are small floral arrangements worn by the groom and groomsmen on their lapels, symbolizing the groom's personality and style while connecting to the wedding's theme. While fresh flowers are classic, artificial flowers offer a unique charm, durability, and customization. This guide will teach you how to make a wedding boutonnière with artificial flowers, ensuring a memorable and personalized touch for your celebration.

Choosing the right flowers

Colour Scheme

The colour of your chosen flowers should complement the wedding's palette while also adding a touch of charm that aligns with your theme. For instance, if your wedding has a rustic theme, opt for flowers with earthy tones or those made from artificial wood.

Size

When selecting your flowers, consider the size of the lapel and the desired proportions of the boutonnière. The stems of the flowers should be trimmed to around 3 to 4 inches in length. This ensures the boutonnière is not too bulky or overwhelming.

Type of Flowers

The type of flowers you choose will depend on the overall style and aesthetic of your wedding. If you're opting for a rustic look, artificial wood flowers offer a unique charm and can be customised to match your colour scheme. You can even paint or stain these flowers to add a personal touch.

If you prefer fresh flowers, choose blooms that are hearty and can hold up without a water source. Spray roses, ranunculus, anthurium, and pansies are excellent options. Adding some greenery or dried florals will also create a beautiful, long-lasting arrangement.

Quality

When selecting artificial flowers, opt for high-quality silk flowers that closely resemble real blooms. This will add an elegant and sophisticated touch to your boutonnière.

Customisation

One of the benefits of using artificial flowers is the ability to customise them. You can mix and match different types of flowers, colours, and styles to create a unique blend that captures the essence of your special day.

Additionally, consider adding embellishments such as ribbons, twine, or miniature wooden charms. These decorative elements will infuse your personality and style into the boutonnière, making it even more special.

Remember, the choice of flowers is essential in creating wedding boutonnières that symbolise the groom's personality and connect to the wedding's theme. By considering the colour scheme, size, type of flowers, quality, and customisation options, you can choose the perfect artificial flowers for your boutonnière.

Selecting the right tools

Wire Cutters or Floral Snips:

Start by investing in a good pair of wire cutters or floral snips. These tools will help you trim and shape the artificial flower stems to the desired length. Look for cutters that are sharp, comfortable to hold, and easy to manoeuvre.

Floral Tape:

Floral tape is a must-have for creating secure and aesthetically pleasing boutonnieres. Choose a colour that matches the stems of your artificial flowers, such as green or brown. The tape will help bind the stems together and create a clean, uniform look.

Glue:

A hot glue gun and glue sticks will come in handy for securing various elements of your boutonniere. Look for a glue gun with adjustable temperature settings and a comfortable grip. Ensure the glue sticks are compatible with the gun and provide a strong, long-lasting bond.

Ribbon:

Ribbon adds an elegant finishing touch to your boutonniere. Choose a colour that complements your flowers and other decorative elements. Consider the width of the ribbon as well; a thinner ribbon may be easier to work with and create a more delicate appearance.

Embellishments:

Embellishments such as pearls, rhinestones, or small charms can be added to your boutonniere for a touch of sparkle and individuality. These can be glued on with your hot glue gun or, if you prefer a more subtle look, carefully sewn on with a needle and thread.

Pins:

As boutonnieres are typically attached to the lapel, you will need a boutonniere pin or a small safety pin to secure it in place. Consider the colour and size of the pins, ensuring they are discreet yet functional.

Work Space and Storage:

Creating a designated work space with good lighting and ample room to lay out your tools and materials will make the process more enjoyable. Additionally, think about how you will store your completed boutonnieres before the wedding. A cool, dry, and dust-free environment is ideal, and you may want to invest in a storage box lined with tissue paper to keep them protected.

Remember, taking the time to select the right tools and prepare your work space will set you up for success in crafting stunning artificial wedding boutonnieres.

Preparing the flowers

Selecting the Right Flowers:

Start by choosing high-quality artificial flowers that align with your wedding theme and colour scheme. Consider the size, colour, and style of the flowers to ensure they complement the overall aesthetic of your wedding. You can opt for artificial wood flowers or silk flowers that resemble real blooms.

Trimming the Stems:

Use wire cutters or floral snips to trim the stems of your artificial flowers to the desired length. Aim for a length of around 2 to 4 inches, keeping in mind the size of the lapel and the desired proportions of the boutonnière. This step ensures that the boutonnière doesn't overwhelm the lapel and that the stems are neatly arranged.

Arranging the Flowers:

Lay out the flowers in front of you and start arranging them in a visually pleasing manner. Play around with different combinations and heights to create a balanced design. You can also add small pieces of greenery or dried flowers to enhance the overall look. Once you're satisfied with the arrangement, hold the flowers together, ensuring the stems are aligned at the bottom.

Securing the Flowers:

Use floral tape to secure the flowers in place. Start wrapping the tape just below the flower heads and work your way down the stems. This step not only holds the flowers together but also creates a clean and uniform look. Stretch the tape gently as you go to activate the adhesive and ensure a tight hold.

Adding Embellishments:

To add a touch of rustic charm or a personal touch, consider incorporating decorative elements such as twine, burlap, ribbons, or miniature wooden charms. For example, you can wrap twine around the stems and secure it with glue, or attach a small piece of burlap to the stems using glue. These additions will infuse your boutonnière with texture and individuality.

Final Adjustments:

Once you've added all the embellishments, take a step back and examine your work. Make any necessary adjustments to the flower placement or decorative elements. Ensure that all elements are securely attached and evenly arranged. Finally, trim any excess stems at the bottom to maintain a neat and tidy appearance.

Assembling the boutonnière

Now that you have chosen your artificial flowers and gathered your materials, it's time to start assembling your wedding boutonnière. Here is a step-by-step guide:

• Arrange your flowers: Start by laying out your artificial flowers in front of you and arranging them in a visually pleasing manner. Consider the size and colour scheme of the lapel they will be worn on, and design the stems accordingly. Aim for a length of around 2 to 4 inches.
• Secure the flowers: Hold the flowers together in the desired arrangement, making sure the stems are aligned at the bottom. Starting just below the flower heads, wrap the stems tightly with floral tape. This will secure the flowers and create a clean, uniform look.
• Add decorative elements: To personalise your boutonnière, consider incorporating decorative elements such as twine, burlap, or small wooden charms. If using twine, wrap it around the stems and secure it with glue. For burlap, cut a small piece and attach it to the stems with glue to add texture. You can also thread wooden charms or beads onto the stems before wrapping them.
• Final touches: Take a step back and examine your boutonnière closely. Make any necessary adjustments to the flower placement or decorative elements. Trim any excess stem at the bottom to ensure a neat finish.
• Storage: To ensure your boutonnière stays in perfect condition, store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and moisture. If you're making it in advance, keep it in a box lined with tissue paper to protect it from dust and damage.

Remember, creating a wedding boutonnière with artificial flowers allows for endless customisation. You can paint or stain the flowers to match your colour scheme, add symbolic charms or even include photo frames with pictures of loved ones. Get creative and make each boutonnière a unique reflection of your style and love story.

Adding decorations

Twine or Burlap for a Rustic Look:

• If you're aiming for a rustic aesthetic, consider using twine or burlap as decorative elements.
• For twine, wrap it securely around the stems of the boutonniere, using a small amount of glue to keep it in place if needed. You can either create a simple wrap or tie a bow for added flair.
• For burlap, cut a small piece and attach it to the stems using glue. This adds texture and an earthy touch.

Wooden Charms or Beads:

For a whimsical touch, add small wooden charms or beads. Thread them onto the stems of the flowers before wrapping them with floral tape.

Ribbons:

Wrap a ribbon around the floral tape, starting at the base of the flowers and moving downward, to give your boutonniere an elegant, professional finish. Secure the ribbon with a small amount of glue if needed.

Embellishments:

Get creative and experiment with different types of embellishments such as pearls, rhinestones, or small charms. Use hot glue to attach them to your boutonniere, creating a unique and personalized design.

Greenery:

Don't be afraid to add some greenery to your boutonniere! Greenery such as eucalyptus or ferns can provide a nice finishing touch and complement the artificial flowers beautifully.

Feathers and Fabric:

If you want to add texture and dimension to your boutonniere, consider using delicate feathers or fabric. This will give your design a multidimensional look that is sure to impress.

Remember, the key to successful boutonniere decoration is to choose elements that complement your wedding theme and color scheme. By adding these decorative touches, you can truly make each boutonniere a work of art that reflects your unique style and personality.

Frequently asked questions