Creating Artificial Wedding Buttonholes: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wedding buttonholes are an important part of the big day, adding a pop of colour and enhancing the wedding with a floral story and a personal impact. They are traditionally worn by the groom, best man, ushers, fathers of the bride and groom, and sometimes the page boy, as well as both mothers.

Artificial wedding buttonholes are a great option as they are a lasting memento to gift your wedding guests. They can be handmade and customised with whatever flowers you are having in your bridal bouquet. This could be a simple combination of a few flat green leaves and one statement flower, or a more complex mix of flowers, herbs, and textures.

Choosing flowers and materials

For a simple and elegant option, you can choose a single statement flower, such as a rose, lily, or freesia, and pair it with some flat green leaves, like holly or rosemary. If you want to add more texture and visual interest, consider using herbs like mint or rosemary, or adding eucalyptus, hypericum berries, or thistles for a pop of colour and a nod to your heritage.

When selecting your flowers, it is important to consider their durability. Some flowers will hold up better than others without water for 24 hours. If you are using more delicate flowers, it is best to prepare them on the day of the wedding. You can also use artificial flowers, which will last longer and can be customised to match your wedding colours.

In addition to flowers, you will need some basic tools and materials to create your buttonholes. Floral tape, scissors, and wire are essential for assembling and securing your flowers. You can also use twine or ribbon to add a decorative touch. When choosing your wire, consider the thickness of the flowers you plan to use; heavier flowers will require thicker wire.

With the right flowers and materials, you can create beautiful and personalised artificial wedding buttonholes that will enhance your special day.

Trimming and layering flowers

Firstly, select your flowers of choice. This could include a combination of flat green leaves, statement flowers such as roses or lilies, and additional elements like rosemary or holly for texture and fragrance. Before you begin arranging, trim the flowers to the desired length, removing any unwanted leaves or outer petals that may be discoloured or imperfect. Leave about an inch of stem on the main flower to facilitate pinning the buttonhole to the lapel later.

Now, it's time to layer the flowers. Start by placing a flat green leaf as your base, then add other elements like rosemary or holly sprigs. Finally, position the statement flower on top. Play around with the arrangement until you're happy with the composition and overall look.

Once you're satisfied with the layering, it's time to secure the flowers together. Use florist tape to tightly wrap the stems, covering any wire or unwanted elements. Then, cover the florist tape with ribbon, securing it at the back with tape or a small amount of hot glue.

Your trimmed and layered flowers are now ready to be transformed into a stunning buttonhole! Remember to store your creation carefully, and if you're using delicate flowers, prepare them on the day of the wedding to ensure they look fresh and vibrant.

Using florist tape to bind flowers

Florist stem tape is an essential tool for creating artificial wedding buttonholes, providing both stability and a polished look to your floral arrangements. Here are some detailed instructions on using florist tape to bind flowers for your wedding buttonholes:

Choosing the Right Florist Tape

Florist stem tape is typically made from thin, stretchable materials such as crepe paper or synthetic materials like polyvinyl chloride (PVC). It is designed to be sticky on both sides and comes in colours like green, brown, or white to blend seamlessly with natural stems and foliage. You can select a colour that matches your flower stems for a discreet look.

Preparing Your Flowers

Before you begin binding, trim your flowers to the desired length, leaving about an inch of the stem for attaching the buttonhole to a suit. For a simple buttonhole, you can use a few flat green leaves and a statement flower, such as a rose or thistle. Layer the leaves and flower to create the desired arrangement.

Binding with Florist Tape

Start at the base of the stem and wrap the florist tape tightly around it, gradually moving upward. As you wrap, stretch the tape slightly to activate its adhesive properties. Continue wrapping the tape until you reach the top of the stem, then cut or tear the tape. The tape will stick to itself, securing the stem and any additional materials in place.

Finishing Touches

To enhance the appearance of your buttonhole, cover the florist tape with ribbon. Secure the ribbon at the back with a small piece of tape or a dab of hot glue. Your artificial wedding buttonhole is now ready to be stored in the fridge until the big day!

By following these steps and using florist tape to bind your flowers, you can create elegant and secure artificial wedding buttonholes that will add a special touch to your celebration.

Covering tape with ribbon

Covering the florist tape with ribbon is a crucial step in making artificial wedding buttonholes. This step not only adds a decorative touch but also helps to secure the flowers together. Here is a detailed guide on how to cover the tape with ribbon:

First, choose a ribbon that complements the colour and style of your flowers. The ribbon should be wide enough to cover the florist tape completely. Cut the ribbon to an appropriate length, leaving a little extra on each side for ease of handling.

Next, starting at the top of the stem, carefully wrap the ribbon around the florist tape. Make sure the ribbon is taut and smooth, with no creases or bumps. You can use a small amount of hot glue at the beginning to secure the ribbon in place.

Continue wrapping the ribbon tightly down the stem, slightly overlapping each previous wrap. Ensure that the ribbon covers the tape entirely and is smooth and even all the way down.

Once you reach the bottom of the stem, secure the end of the ribbon with a small dab of hot glue. Alternatively, you can use clear tape to secure the end, especially if you want to avoid any glue marks on the ribbon.

If you wish, you can add a small bow or knot at the base of the ribbon for a more decorative finish. This can also help to hide any cut ends or rough edges.

Finally, trim any excess ribbon from the top and bottom, ensuring that the cut ends are neat and do not fray. Your artificial wedding buttonhole is now ready to be pinned onto the lapel, adding a stylish and colourful touch to the wedding outfit.

Attaching buttonholes to outfits

For gents, buttonholes are attached to the left lapel, ideally placed over the heart, so they should be lower down. It is a common misconception that they need to be placed over the physical buttonhole itself, but this can look odd depending on the suit jacket's design and cut. The groom's buttonhole is usually similar in design to the groomsmen's, but more elaborate, perhaps with a larger flower or more foliage.

For ladies, buttonholes are worn on the right. If you are attaching buttonholes to children or delicate ladies' dresses, it is recommended to use magnets for safety. Multiple magnets are necessary as one is typically not strong enough to hold the weight of the flowers, which can cause the buttonhole to sag and pull on the fabric.

• Hold the buttonhole upright and lay it flat on the left lapel just above your heart.
• Once the buttonhole is in the correct position, turn the lapel over to expose the back. With your right hand, insert the pin through the flower stem at an upward angle.
• Push the pin further in, and then back through the stem and into the jacket.
• Once fastened, ensure the buttonhole is secure by gently tugging at it.
• Add an additional pin if the buttonhole is heavy or has a large flower head.

Floristry tape can also be useful for securing buttonholes. It is advised to be gentle when greeting guests before the ceremony to avoid damaging the flowers.

Frequently asked questions