Creating Wedding Buttonholes With Floral Flair

Wedding buttonholes are an important part of the wedding attire, adding a pop of colour and a personal touch to the outfits of the bridal party. Making your own floral buttonholes is a great way to add a unique and creative flair to your wedding. It is a simple process that involves choosing your favourite flowers and foliage, assembling them into a beautiful arrangement, and then securely attaching them to the lapels of the wedding party. With the right materials and a bit of practice, you can create elegant and eco-friendly buttonholes that will last throughout the day and beyond.

Choosing flowers and foliage

When choosing flowers and foliage for your wedding buttonholes, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, decide on the types of flowers and foliage you want to use. Popular choices include roses, carnations, and lavender for their beauty and symbolic meanings. You can also get creative and choose flowers that hold personal significance to you and your partner, such as flowers from a memorable date or location. If you have a favourite flower, like gerberas, be sure to buy more than you need in case of any breakages.

Next, consider the colour, texture, and volume of your flowers and foliage. Choose a variety of colours, from bold to neutral, to create a beautiful contrast. Embrace different textures, such as smooth petals combined with rougher foliage or spiky grasses, to add depth and interest. Select flowers and foliage of varying sizes to ensure you have a mix of textures and volumes, creating a balanced and harmonious look. Don't forget to consider the overall size of the buttonhole, ensuring it's not too bulky for the lapel.

Additionally, you can add non-floral elements to your buttonholes, such as small feathers, berries, or even miniature charms, for a unique and personalised touch. If you're using dried flowers, you can include dried leaves and grasses to complement your main flower and add volume and a rustic feel.

Lastly, practice arranging your flowers and foliage before the big day. This will help you perfect the placement and ensure that your buttonholes look their best.

Preparing your materials

The first step to making a floral buttonhole is to gather your materials. You will need a variety of flowers and foliage to create texture and colour. If you are using gerbera, buy more than you need in case they break. You will also need dried leaves and grasses to add volume and a rustic feel. In addition, you will need twine or floral tape, florist pins or small safety pins, scissors or floral shears, and wire (optional).

For flowers, choose a variety of blooms that complement each other and add depth and interest to your buttonhole. For example, consider using roses, carnations, and lavender for their beauty and symbolic meanings. If you want to add a pop of colour, you could include sunflowers, or a thistle for texture and a nod to Celtic heritage.

When selecting foliage, choose leaves and grasses that complement your flowers. Vary the textures and colours for depth and interest, and ensure the overall size is appropriate for a lapel and not too bulky.

If you are using wire for added support or to create desired shapes, cut the wire into pieces of desired lengths before you begin.

Before you start creating your buttonhole, ensure your dried foliage is clean and free from any dust or debris.

Binding the arrangement

To begin binding your chosen flowers and foliage securely, you will need either floral tape or twine. These materials serve as the foundation of your buttonhole, keeping the stems neatly together. Start by wrapping the tape or twine around the stems from the base, working your way down towards the bottom of the stems. It is important to stretch the floral tape as you wrap to activate its adhesive quality, ensuring a tight and secure bind.

The next step is to trim any excess stem. This gives the buttonhole a clean, uniform appearance. However, it is crucial to leave enough stem length to attach the buttonhole to the lapel securely. A diagonal cut at the end of the stems creates a neat finish.

For added support, you can insert wire into or alongside the stems. This step is particularly useful for delicate stems that may need extra reinforcement or if you want to create a specific shape. The wire provides an invisible framework, ensuring your buttonhole maintains its structure.

Finally, you can add a decorative touch by wrapping the bound stems with ribbon or rustic twine. Choose a colour or texture that complements your wedding theme or the attire of the person who will be wearing the buttonhole. This step not only enhances the visual appeal but also helps to conceal the binding material, creating a polished look.

Adding finishing touches

Once you have the basic structure of your buttonhole in place, it's time to add those all-important finishing touches. Here are some ideas to elevate your floral buttonholes and make them truly stand out:

Add a Personal Touch

Customise your buttonholes with meaningful elements. This could be a particular flower from a memorable date, a nod to your heritage, or even a miniature charm. You could also incorporate textural elements like feathers or berries for added interest and a unique, whimsical look.

Experiment with Colour Contrasts

Don't be afraid to play with bold colours and neutral tones. A vibrant main bloom, such as a gerbera, set against softer background hues, will make the whole buttonhole pop. Just be sure to choose colours that complement your wedding decor for a cohesive overall look.

Embrace Textural Diversity

Mix and match different textures to add depth and visual interest. Try combining smooth petals with rougher foliage or spiky grasses. You can also use foliage to build volume, creating a full and lush buttonhole.

Focus on Proportion and Scale

Ensure your buttonhole is proportionate to the wearer's frame and the size of the lapel. It should be noticeable, but not overwhelm the outfit. Asymmetry can add visual interest, but maintain a balanced look so it feels harmonious.

Add a Decorative Wrap

Finish off your buttonhole with a decorative ribbon or rustic twine, choosing a colour or style that complements your wedding theme. This will add an extra touch of elegance and help tie the whole arrangement together.

Practice Makes Perfect

Finally, remember to practice making your buttonholes before the big day. This will give you a chance to refine your technique and make any necessary adjustments to your design.

Attaching the buttonhole

When it comes to attaching the buttonhole, it is recommended to have one person in charge of placing all the buttonholes to ensure uniformity and accuracy in placement. This is because many people are unsure of how to attach a buttonhole or where to place it.

For gents, the buttonhole is usually attached to the left lapel, just above the heart. It is a common misconception that it should be placed over the physical buttonhole, but this can look odd, depending on the suit's design. For ladies, the buttonhole is worn on the right.

To attach the buttonhole, follow these steps:

• 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 other hand, insert the pin through the flower stem at an upward angle.
• Push the pin further, then back through the stem and into the jacket.
• Once fastened, ensure the buttonhole is secure by gently tugging at it.
• If the buttonhole is heavy or has a large flower head, add an extra pin for stability.

Floristry tape can also be useful for any last-minute adjustments, and it is recommended to be gentle when greeting guests to avoid damaging the flowers.

Frequently asked questions