Creating Beautiful Rose Buttonholes For Your Wedding Day

Making your own rose buttonholes for weddings is a simple DIY project that can be easily customised. You can use a few flat green leaves and one statement flower, such as a white rose, or any flower of your choice. The process involves trimming the flowers, layering and positioning them, and then using florist tape to bind them together. You can then cover the tape with ribbon and store the buttonholes in the fridge overnight. Preparing roses for buttonholes also involves cutting and bending rose wire to create a hairpin, which is then inserted into the rose to provide structural support. This guide will take you through the steps to create beautiful and long-lasting rose buttonholes for your special day.

How to Make Rose Buttonholes for Weddings

Trimming the flowers

Once the roses have been trimmed, you will need to prepare the roses by pinning back the sepals. This will stop the rose from continuing to develop and opening up further. To do this, cut the rose wire into short segments and bend them into a hairpin shape. Push these hairpins into each sepal and into the rose. This process will provide structural support for the rose and help it last longer, especially if the buttonhole will be worn for a long time and exposed to body heat.

The overall look of using rose wire is very discreet and will not detract from the beauty of the rose. Repeat this process for all the sepals on each rose. Then, take some green stub wire and push it up through the stem and into the base of the rose, only a few millimetres. This will further support the structure of the rose and ensure it stays in place. Finally, seal the rose with parafilm tape, wrapping it from underneath the head of the rose, down the natural stem, to where the wire ends.

Layering the flowers

Firstly, select your flowers and foliage. For a classic and timeless look, opt for a statement flower such as a rose, accompanied by flat green leaves and perhaps a sprig of rosemary or holly for added texture and interest. You can also choose flowers that complement the bridal bouquet to ensure a cohesive wedding theme.

Once you have your flowers, start by trimming them down to size. Strip away any unwanted leaves or petals surrounding the bud, ensuring you leave about an inch of stem on the rose. This stem will be used to pin the boutonniere securely to the suit, so it needs to be sturdy but not too long.

Now, you can begin the layering process. Start with the flat green leaf as your base. Position it so that it creates a neat backdrop for the other elements. Then, add the rosemary sprig (or your chosen secondary foliage) to bring a touch of fragrance and texture to the arrangement.

Finally, place the rose on top, ensuring it is positioned centrally and securely. You may wish to use florist tape to bind the flowers together at this point, creating a neat bundle. The tape will also help to provide structural support and ensure the flowers stay in place.

If you want to add further embellishment, you could consider incorporating additional flowers or foliage at this stage. Just remember to keep the overall design neat and balanced, ensuring the statement flower remains the focal point.

By following these steps, you will create a beautifully layered rose buttonhole that will add a special touch to the wedding attire.

Using florist tape

To use florist tape effectively, start by gathering your chosen flowers and foliage. In the case of a rose buttonhole, you may want to include a flat green leaf, some rosemary, and a statement rose. Once you have your flowers, trim them down to size, removing any excess leaves or outer petals that may interfere with the arrangement.

Next, layer the flowers and foliage as you want them to appear in the buttonhole. Position them roughly in place, and then use the florist tape to wrap them together tightly. Make sure to cover all the stems with the tape, creating a secure base for the buttonhole. You can then choose to cover the florist tape with ribbon, securing it with a small amount of glue or tape at the back.

Sealing the rose

To seal the rose, you will need to use parafilm tape. Start by wrapping the tape from underneath the head of the rose, on the natural stem, and work your way down to where the wire finishes. This will help to secure the wire in place and provide extra support to the rose.

Parafilm tape is a useful product to have when creating floral arrangements as it is self-sealing and flexible. It is also waterproof, which will help to keep your flowers fresh. The tape is made from a blend of polyolefins and is often used by florists to seal in moisture and provide support to flower arrangements.

Once you have sealed the rose with the parafilm tape, your rose buttonhole is complete and ready to be worn!

Assigning someone to pin on the buttonholes

It's important to assign someone to pin the buttonholes on the groom and groomsmen, as they might be too nervous to remember to do it themselves. The person assigned to this task should be familiar with the technique, and it's a good idea to have a trial run on a spare jacket to avoid any extra punch holes in the suit lapel or damaged florals.

The person pinning the buttonhole could be a family member or a member of the wedding party, and it makes for a beautiful shot in photographs. Once the picture is taken, you can also ask your florist or wedding planner to secure it properly. If your florist is delivering the flowers on the morning of the wedding, you can ask them to assist in attaching the buttonhole as they will know best.

It is traditional for the groom, best man, groomsmen, fathers of the bride and groom, and ushers to wear buttonholes, but it is also common for mothers, grandmothers, and other female family members and guests to wear them on the right-hand side. These are sometimes called corsages and might be slightly bigger or made from fabric, feathers, buttons, or charms.

Frequently asked questions