Creating Wedding Day Magic: Crafting Men's Boutonnieres

Wedding planning can be a daunting task, with a long list of things to do and decide on. One of the things to consider is the wedding florals, which can be quite expensive. A great way to save money and add a personal touch is to make your own boutonnieres for the men in the wedding party. It's an easy DIY project that allows you to customise the boutonnieres to your preferred style and colour palette. All you need are some flowers, floral tape, ribbon, and a few other simple materials. With just a few simple steps, you can create elegant and unique boutonnieres that will be a memorable part of your special day.

Choosing flowers: Select 1-2 statement blooms that won't wilt easily, and 2-3 smaller flowers

When choosing flowers for a wedding boutonnière, it's important to select blooms that will make a statement and hold up well without a water source. Opt for flowers with woody stems and waxy leaves, as these characteristics indicate that the flower will naturally hold moisture and retain its shape.

Some great options for statement blooms include roses, especially standard and spray varieties, which are known to last out of water. You could also consider a white rose, as in this example from One Fab Day, which used a white rose alongside a piece of holly and a sprig of rosemary. If you're looking for something more colourful, try tulips, ranunculus, anthurium, or calla lilies. For a unique twist, use dried flowers as your statement blooms, such as in this example from Brides, which used dried florals with a splash of greenery.

For smaller flowers, you can choose from a variety of blooms that will complement your statement flower. Spray roses, pansies, mums, carnations, and baby's breath all work well. If you're looking for something more delicate, try ivy, eucalyptus, heather, or wax flowers.

When selecting your flowers, it's a good idea to test them out beforehand, especially if your wedding will be outdoors or in a hot climate. Cut a few samples and leave them out to see how long they last without water. This will ensure that your boutonnière stays fresh and beautiful throughout the entire wedding.

Preparing flowers: Remove thorns, damaged petals, and foliage. Cut stems to 1-3 inches

Preparing the flowers for a boutonnière is a crucial step in the process. It ensures the flowers are ready to be arranged and secured.

Start by carefully examining the flowers and removing any thorns, damaged petals, or foliage. This step helps create a clean and polished look for the final product. It is important to keep any green leaves that can be used later in the boutonnière.

Next, cut the stems to the appropriate length. The ideal stem length for boutonnieres is typically between 1 and 3 inches. This length provides a suitable base to work with and allows for easy pinning to the groom's suit or jacket lapel.

Cutting the stems to the right size also ensures the flowers are proportional to the boutonnière design. It is important to note that the stems can always be trimmed further once the arrangement is complete.

Once the stems are cut, the flowers are ready to be arranged and secured with floral tape, ribbon, or glue. This preparation step ensures the flowers are ready for the next stages of the process and helps create a cohesive and elegant boutonnière.

Arranging flowers: Place leaves and greenery behind the main flower, then wrap stems with tape

When creating a boutonnière, the arrangement of the flowers and greenery is crucial. Here's a detailed guide to help you arrange the flowers and wrap the stems with tape:

Firstly, select your main flower. This could be a statement bloom such as a rose, ranunculus, or pansy. Ensure it's a hearty flower that can hold its shape without a water source. Next, gather your greenery. Choose flat green leaves or small pieces of foliage like rosemary, ivy, or eucalyptus. The greenery will complement the main flower and add texture to your boutonnière.

Now, it's time to arrange the flowers and greenery. Place the leaves and greenery behind the main flower. You can play around with the arrangement, trying different types of greenery or changing the placement slightly until you achieve the desired look. Remember, the greenery should not extend too much above the flower but should peek out from the sides, creating a beautiful frame.

Once you're happy with the arrangement, it's time to secure it. Use floral tape to wrap the stems tightly. Start from the top of the stems, near the flowers, and wrap downwards. Make sure you cover all the stems, wrapping them together securely. The tape will help seal the stems and prevent wilting, so don't skip this step!

After taping the stems, trim them neatly to your desired length. Leave enough stem to pin the boutonnière to the lapel of the jacket, usually about one inch. If you prefer to conceal the tape, you can wrap a ribbon around the stems, securing it with a small amount of hot glue or another piece of tape.

Your flowers are now beautifully arranged and secured! You can store your boutonnière in a cool, dry place until it's time to pin it to the jacket for the wedding.

Trimming and ribbon: Trim stems to 1 inch, wrap with ribbon, and secure with glue or pins

Trimming and ribbon is the final step in assembling your boutonnière. Once you have gathered your flowers and greenery, arranged them, and wrapped the stems in floral tape, it's time to trim and add the finishing touches.

Start by trimming the stems of your boutonnière to the one-inch mark. This is the ideal length to ensure the boutonnière is secure and easy to pin onto the lapel of the jacket. A stem that is too long may cause the flower to droop or be difficult to attach securely.

After trimming, you have the option to add a ribbon. This is an excellent way to hide the floral tape and give your boutonnière a more polished and elegant look. Choose a ribbon colour that complements your flowers and the wedding colour palette. Start wrapping the ribbon at the bottom of the stems and work your way up to the base of the flowers. Secure the ribbon with a knot or a small dab of hot glue.

Finally, use pins to affix the boutonnière to the lapel of the jacket. Place the pins through the base of the boutonnière, ensuring they are secure and won't fall off during the wedding celebrations. Now you can step back and admire your handiwork!

Storing: Store in a cool, dry place, or in a shallow cup of water. Avoid the fridge

Storing your boutonnière correctly is essential to keeping it fresh for the wedding. If you've made the boutonnière on the morning of the ceremony, simply keep it in a cool, dry place until it's ready to be pinned to the lapel.

If you need to prepare it the night before, avoid putting it in the fridge. Floral designer Erice McNeff advises that "the gases emitted [from produce in the fridge] can actually wilt your blooms and do more harm than good." Instead, leave the stems exposed and place the boutonnière in a shallow cup of water, keeping it in a cool, dry place overnight.

Frequently asked questions