Creating Wedding Button Holes: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wedding buttonholes, also known as boutonnieres, are small floral accessories that are worn on the lapel of a jacket or blazer. They are usually composed of a single flower or a small collection of flowers and/or decorative accents. While they are not necessary, they are a nice way to differentiate the wedding party from the rest of the guests. In this article, we will discuss how to make buttonholes for a wedding.

Choosing flowers and foliage

Colour Scheme

The colour of your buttonholes can either contrast or complement the colour of the groom's outfit and the overall wedding theme. Consider the colour of the suits, cravats or ties, and bridesmaids' dresses when selecting your flowers and foliage. For example, a grey suit with a lilac cravat could be complemented by a deep purple tulip or sprig of lavender. Alternatively, you can mirror the flowers in the bridal bouquet to create a cohesive look.

Style and Theme

Think about the style and theme of your wedding when choosing your buttonhole flowers and foliage. Are you going for a traditional, rustic, whimsical, or modern look? For a traditional style, a single stem rose or a classic English combination of white roses and delicate English daisies is always a good choice. For a rustic or whimsical wedding, use smaller, filler flowers such as gypsophila (baby's breath), wax flowers, or florets of bigger flowers like hydrangeas. If you want to add a unique twist, consider using herbs like rosemary, which not only looks but also smells amazing.

Seasonal and Dried Flowers

Using seasonal blooms is a lovely way to tie your buttonholes to the time of year you're getting married. For spring, consider hyacinths, freesias, daffodils, or sweet peas. If you're concerned about fresh flowers wilting throughout the day, dried flower buttonholes are a perfect alternative. They not only last longer but also bring a unique, rustic charm to your wedding. Dried flowers like lavender, roses, and baby's breath add colour, texture, and fragrance to your buttonholes.

Personalisation

To make your buttonholes even more special, consider incorporating elements that have personal significance to you and your partner. This could be flowers from a memorable date or location, or even non-floral elements like small feathers, berries, or charms. You can also make the groom's buttonhole unique by using two blooms instead of one or adding a slightly different flourish.

Size and Proportion

Remember that buttonholes should be well-balanced, not too heavy, and fairly small. They are meant to rest on the lapel of a jacket, so choose flowers and foliage that are appropriate in size and proportion. If you're using larger flowers, consider adding smaller blooms or foliage to create a sense of balance.

Trimming and layering flowers

Firstly, trim your flowers, stripping off any leaves surrounding the bud and removing any outer petals that are discoloured or damaged. Leave about an inch of stem so that you have something to pin the boutonniere to the suit.

Next, layer your flowers. Start with a flat green leaf, then add any additional flowers or foliage, positioning them as you want them to sit in the finished boutonniere.

Use florist tape to wrap the flowers together tightly, then cover the tape with ribbon, securing it with a small amount of glue or tape at the back.

Wrapping flowers with tape and ribbon

Firstly, choose your flowers. You will need a few flat green leaves and a statement flower. For example, you could use a piece of holly, a sprig of rosemary, and a white rose. Start by trimming the flowers, removing any leaves surrounding the bud, and peeling away any outer petals that are not the right colour. Leave about an inch of stem on the flower so that you can pin it to the suit.

Next, layer the leaves and flowers. Place the flat leaf first, followed by the rosemary, and then the rose on top. Position them as you want them to sit in the final boutonniere.

Now, use florist tape to wrap the flowers together tightly. Florist tape is stretchable and sticky, and it is important to keep tension on the tape as you wrap. You can use a variety of tapes, such as floral tape, florist tape, or corsage tape. Cover the tape with ribbon and secure it at the back with another small piece of tape or a dab of hot glue.

Your boutonniere is now ready! You can store it in the fridge overnight, but bear in mind that some flowers will need to be prepared on the day as they may not hold up well without water for 24 hours. Don't forget to assign someone to pin the boutonnieres onto the suits—the groom and groomsmen might be too nervous to remember!

This is a simple and fun project to add a personal touch to your wedding. You can get creative and experiment with different flowers and ribbons to match your wedding colours and theme.

Attaching buttonholes to outfits

Step 1: Prepare the Flowers

Select your flowers and greenery, including a statement flower and some flat green leaves. Trim the flowers, removing any unwanted leaves or petals to create a neat base. Leave about an inch of the stem on the main flower to facilitate attachment to the outfit.

Step 2: Assemble the Buttonhole

Layer the flat green leaf, followed by any additional elements like herbs or greenery, and finally, place the statement flower on top. Arrange them in the desired composition, considering the overall aesthetics and balance.

Step 3: Secure the Buttonhole

Use florist tape to tightly wrap the flowers together. Cover the tape with a ribbon of your choice, securing it with a small amount of hot glue or additional tape. This step adds a decorative touch and ensures that the arrangement holds together.

Step 4: Store and Transport

If prepared in advance, store the buttonholes in a refrigerator to keep them fresh. Some flowers are more delicate and may require preparation on the day of the event. Assign someone to transport and handle the buttonholes carefully to avoid damage.

Step 5: Attach the Buttonhole

Wash your hands to ensure the outfits remain pristine. Hold the buttonhole upright and lay it flat on the correct side of the lapel, just above the heart for gents and on the right side for ladies. Punch the pin through the fabric and the flower stem, either diagonally or straight down, and then re-weave the pin through the lapel's front as if stitching.

Step 6: Secure and Adjust

Ensure the buttonhole is securely attached by fastening the pin. Add an extra pin if needed, especially for heavier buttonholes or those with large flower heads. Weave any additional pins in the same manner to provide stability.

Additional Tips:

• Practice attaching buttonholes beforehand to familiarise yourself with the technique and avoid damaging the floral arrangements or outfits.
• Consult with your florist about the weight of the buttonhole to ensure it doesn't cause the outfit to flop over or sag.
• Consider using magnets for attaching buttonholes to children's outfits or delicate ladies' dresses. Use multiple magnets to provide sufficient support.
• Assign a designated person to attach all the buttonholes to ensure consistency and correct placement.
• Label each buttonhole with the recipient's name to avoid confusion, especially if there are different designs for the groom and groomsmen.
• Always carry spare pins to address any last-minute adjustments or repairs.

Buttonhole alternatives

While the traditional flower buttonhole will always look timeless, an alternative boutonniere will add a unique twist to the groomswear. Here are some ideas for buttonhole alternatives:

Lego Figures

Add a quirky twist to your buttonhole with a Lego figure. You could go for a Superman Lego figure, or represent your favourite superhero.

Paper Flowers

Add a rustic twist to your buttonhole with a paper flower made from vintage book pages or sheet music. You could even use the music from your wedding for a personal touch.

Buttons

For a unique twist on the traditional, opt for a button-themed boutonniere. You can order these in a variety of colours to match your wedding colour scheme.

Feathers

For a rustic or festival-themed wedding, feathers are a great buttonhole alternative. Peacock feathers are a vibrant option, or you could go for a gold glitter-dipped feather.

Corsages

Corsages are a great alternative to buttonholes for the ladies in your wedding party. Pretty wrist corsages are a dream alternative without the fear of damaging their clothing.

Pocket Squares

For a modern twist, opt for a pocket square instead of a buttonhole. You can choose from a variety of designs, including Liberty print or Dr. Who-themed.

Origami

For a unique and creative buttonhole, opt for an origami design made from retro comics.

Frequently asked questions