Creating A Beach Wedding Boutonniere: A Step-By-Step Guide

Beach weddings are a great opportunity to get creative with your floral arrangements. Boutonnières, for example, are a fun and simple way to add a unique twist to your wedding attire. Boutonnières are small floral decorations that are typically worn by men on the lapel of their suit or tuxedo. While they may seem straightforward, creating a DIY boutonnière involves several steps and considerations. In this guide, we will walk you through the process of making your own beach wedding boutonnière, from choosing the right flowers to assembling and storing your creation. We will also discuss the benefits of DIY boutonnières and provide tips for a stress-free experience. So, whether you're looking to save money or simply want to add a personal touch to your beach wedding, read on for everything you need to know about making your own boutonnières!

Choosing flowers and colours to match the beach theme

When choosing flowers and colours for a beach wedding boutonnière, it's important to consider the overall colour scheme and theme of the wedding. Beach weddings typically call for light and airy colours, such as white, cream, beige, and soft blues or greens. You can also add a pop of colour, such as orange or pink, to stand out against a darker suit or tuxedo.

For the flowers, consider choosing hardy blooms that can withstand warm temperatures and won't wilt easily. Some great options include spray roses, ranunculus, anthurium, pansies, tulips, mums, calla lilies, and carnations. If you want to add greenery, opt for baby's breath, ivy, eucalyptus, heather, Italian ruscus, or wax flowers.

When creating the boutonnière, start with one or two statement blooms in complementary colours, and then add two to three smaller accent flowers or greenery. You can also incorporate beach-themed elements, such as starfish, seashells, or small pieces of driftwood, to give it a unique touch.

Remember to keep the design simple and elegant, as a boutonnière is meant to be a small and subtle accessory. You can also add a ribbon or pin in a matching colour to bring the whole look together.

With a bit of creativity and attention to detail, you can design a beach-themed wedding boutonnière that will perfectly complement the overall aesthetic of your special day.

Selecting flowers that can hold up without water

When selecting flowers for a beach wedding boutonnière, it's important to choose blooms that can hold up without water for hours. Here are some tips and suggestions for choosing the right flowers:

Flower Types and Characteristics:

• Look for flowers with woody stems and waxy leaves. These characteristics indicate a tougher stem and thicker, shinier leaves that can naturally hold moisture and retain their shape and crispness.
• Opt for flowers with smaller, dainty faces. These tend to hold up better than larger blooms. Examples include spray roses, ranunculus, anthurium, and pansies.
• Dried flowers are a great option as they are already preserved and can last longer without water. Natural eucalyptus and dried flower mixes are popular choices for beach weddings.
• Some fresh flowers that have a long-lasting quality include carnations, dahlias, orchids, tulips, and gerbera daisies.
• If you're looking for a more natural, wildflower look, consider using a mix of fresh greenery such as eucalyptus, ferns, Italian Ruscus, pittosporum, and thistle.

Additional Tips:

• When in doubt, test your flowers beforehand. Pick a few samples of the flowers you want to use and observe how long they last without water.
• Consider using a moisture sealant product. These products are designed to extend the life of your flowers and can be especially useful for beach weddings, where the sun and heat can affect the longevity of your blooms.
• If possible, create your boutonnières as close to the wedding as possible. This will ensure that your flowers look fresh and vibrant.

Picking flowers that are hardy and long-lasting

When selecting flowers for your beach wedding boutonnière, opt for sturdy and long-lasting varieties that can maintain their shape and freshness without water for hours. This is especially important for a beach wedding, where the warm weather and sea breeze can cause delicate flowers to wilt quickly.

Some recommended flowers that fit this description include carnations, orchids, ranunculus, and roses. Carnations, for example, are trendy and inexpensive, with simple ruffle-like petals that blend well with other flowers and greenery. They are also incredibly long-lasting, making them an excellent choice for a beach wedding. Orchids, such as white, pink, or purple orchids, are also ideal for a beach or tropical event, as they are pretty hardy and pair well with other flowers.

Another great option is ranunculus, which has thin, lustrous petals that make it a sophisticated choice. Roses, of course, are always a classic and popular choice for boutonnieres and can be paired with baby's breath and greenery. If you're looking for something unique and colourful, consider gerbera daisies, which come in almost every colour and can thrive for a long time without water.

When in doubt, choose flowers with smaller blooms, as these tend to be hardier and longer-lasting than larger blooms. You can also use dried florals, which are a great, low-maintenance option for beach weddings.

In addition to choosing the right flowers, it's important to properly prepare and care for your boutonnière to ensure its longevity. Cut the stems at an angle and remove any leaves that will be below the waterline. Use floral wire or floral tape to provide extra support and structure to the stems. By selecting hardy flowers and following these simple preparation tips, you can create a beautiful and long-lasting boutonnière for your beach wedding.

Arranging flowers, greenery and accents

When it comes to arranging the flowers, greenery and accents for your beach wedding boutonnière, there are a few key steps to follow. Firstly, decide on your flowers and greenery. For a beach wedding, you may want to opt for a more relaxed, natural look with a single statement flower and some greenery. Choose a flower that can hold up without a water source, such as a rose, ranunculus or pansy. For greenery, you could select baby's breath, ivy, eucalyptus or Italian ruscus.

Next, cut your stems to the desired length, usually around 2-3 inches, and clean the stems by removing any leaves that will be below the waterline. You can also add some floral wire to the stems for extra support if needed.

Now you're ready to create your arrangement. Start with your statement flower, and then add your greenery and any additional accents behind it. Play around with the arrangement until you're happy with the result. You can also add an accent flower in front of the statement flower for a layered look.

Once you've created your arrangement, it's time to secure it. Wrap the stems tightly with floral tape, then trim the stems neatly to around one inch in length. If you'd like to cover the floral tape, you can wrap a ribbon around the stems, securing it with a small amount of glue or a pin.

Finally, you can add a boutonnière pin or a small safety pin to the back of the arrangement, making it easy to affix to the lapel of the wearer's jacket.

Storing and preserving the boutonnière

Storing and preserving your DIY beach wedding boutonnière is a crucial step in ensuring it looks its best on the big day. Here are some detailed tips to help you preserve your floral creation:

Timing:

The timing of when you make your boutonnière and how long you need to store it will impact your storage methods. Ideally, you should make the boutonnière as close to the wedding ceremony as possible, with the morning of the event being the best option for optimal freshness. However, if you need to prepare it the night before, there are steps you can take to keep it looking vibrant.

Storage Techniques:

• Water and misting: If you've crafted your boutonnière ahead of time and need to store it for a few hours, you can keep it fresh by misting it with cool water and placing it in a shallow cup of water. Ensure the tape around the base of the flower is snug to prevent water damage.
• Cool and dry location: It is essential to store your boutonnière in a cool, dry place. Avoid placing it in the fridge, as the gases emitted by produce can cause the blooms to wilt. Instead, find a cool, dark location to keep it fresh.
• Portable cooler: If you need to transport your boutonnière to the wedding venue, keep it in a portable cooler to maintain its freshness.
• Sealed container: Place the boutonnière on a tissue and then put it in a box with a lid or a corsage bag. This will help regulate the temperature and moisture levels.
• Avoid extreme temperatures: Do not store your boutonnière in the freezer, as this will damage the flowers.

Flower Selection:

When choosing flowers for your beach wedding boutonnière, opt for hearty blooms that can hold up without a water source. Dried florals with a splash of greenery are an excellent choice for a beach setting. Spray roses, ranunculus, anthurium, and pansies are also suitable options.

Preservation:

If you want to preserve your boutonnière as a memento, there are a few methods you can try:

• Pressing: Press the boutonnière in a book to flatten and dry it.
• Drying: Use silica gel to dry out the flowers and preserve their structure.
• Hanging and spraying: Spray the boutonnière with hairspray and hang it upside down. This method will give it an aged look while still preserving it.

Remember, creating a DIY boutonnière for your beach wedding can be a fun and rewarding experience, but proper storage and preservation techniques are crucial to ensuring it looks its best on your special day.

Frequently asked questions