Creative Wedding Boutonniere Ideas For The Big Day

Planning a wedding can be an expensive and time-consuming endeavour, so it's no surprise that many couples turn to DIY projects to save money and add personal touches to their big day. One such project is making your own wedding boutonnière. A boutonnière is a small floral arrangement typically displayed on the lapel of a jacket, and it can be a great way to incorporate your wedding's colour palette and floral design into the groom's and groomsmen's outfits. With the right materials and a bit of creativity, you can easily make your own wedding boutonnière that will look elegant and professional.

Choosing flowers: Select hearty flowers that can hold up without water, such as spray roses, pansies, and tulips

When creating a wedding boutonnière, it's important to choose flowers that are not only beautiful but also long-lasting. Selecting flowers that can hold up without water is crucial, especially if you want to make them in advance. Here are some hearty flower options that fit the bill:

Spray Roses: Spray roses are a popular choice for boutonnières due to their small, dainty blooms. They are known for their longevity and can last a few hours without water. To maximize their lifespan, it's best to keep them cool and dry, and if possible, place the stems in a shallow cup of water.

Pansies: Pansies are cheerful flowers with heart-shaped, overlapping petals and a wide range of bright colors. They are surprisingly hardy and can tolerate cold temperatures, even surviving a frost. While they prefer cool weather, they still require regular watering to thrive. If you're using pansies for your boutonnière, be sure to keep them cool and consider placing the stems in water to extend their lifespan.

Tulips: Tulips are another option for boutonnières, although they may require a bit more care. They prefer cooler temperatures and moist, well-drained soil. To ensure they last without water, keep them in a cool, dry place, and if possible, trim the stems and place them in water before arranging them into boutonnières.

When selecting flowers for your wedding boutonnière, it's important to consider the time of year and the temperature of your wedding day. Keeping the flowers cool and providing water when possible will help extend their lifespan. With these hearty flower options and proper care, your boutonnière is sure to look fresh and beautiful on your special day.

Materials: You'll need floral scissors/stem cutters, pins, floral tape, and ribbon

To make a wedding boutonnière, you'll need some essential materials. Floral scissors or stem cutters will be required to cut flower stems to the desired length. You'll also need pins to secure the boutonnière to the lapel of the wearer's jacket. Floral tape is another crucial material, used to wrap around the flower stems to seal them and prevent wilting. Finally, ribbon is optional but can be used to cover the floral tape for a more decorative finish.

Floral scissors or stem cutters are an important tool for creating your wedding boutonnière. They allow you to cut the stems of your chosen flowers and greenery to the desired length, typically around 2-3 inches. This length provides a suitable base for your arrangement and ensures the boutonnière sits neatly on the lapel.

Pins are another essential material. These are used to affix the boutonnière securely to the lapel of the wearer's jacket. It is recommended to use pearl pins, which can be pushed through the base of the boutonnière to hold it in place.

Floral tape is a must-have item, according to floral designer Erice McNeff. It is used to wrap around the stems of the flowers and greenery, sealing them together and helping to prevent wilting. Floral tape is designed to support the flowers without a water source, ensuring they remain fresh. If you prefer not to have the floral tape visible, you can use a ribbon to cover it.

Ribbon is an optional material but can add a decorative touch to your boutonnière. If you choose to use floral tape, you can wrap the ribbon around the taped stems, starting at the bottom and continuing until you reach the base of the flowers. You can then tie a knot and secure it with a pin. Ribbon is a great way to add a pop of colour or texture to your boutonnière, and it can also be used to cover any exposed floral tape for a more polished look.

Cut and clean stems: Trim stems to 2-3 inches, ensuring they're clean and free of leaves

Cutting and cleaning stems is an important step in making a wedding boutonnière. Here's a detailed guide:

Firstly, use a stem cutter or floral snips to cut your stems to a length of 2-3 inches. This length is ideal for creating your boutonnière, as it gives you something to hold onto while arranging your flowers, and you can always go back and trim the stems again once the arrangement is complete.

When cutting the stems, be sure to remove any leaves, especially from the lower parts of the stems. This ensures that the final boutonnière looks neat and tidy, and also makes it easier to wrap the stems with floral tape. A clean, leaf-free stem will also help to prevent the boutonnière from wilting, as the tape will be able to seal the stem more effectively.

Once you've cut and cleaned your stems, you'll be ready to start arranging your flowers and creating your beautiful boutonnière. Remember to handle the flowers carefully, as you don't want to accidentally damage or break the stems. It's also a good idea to work on a clean surface to minimise the risk of dirt or debris getting onto the stems or flowers.

Create the arrangement: Start with a statement bloom, then add accents and greenery

Creating a boutonnière is a fun and simple DIY project for your wedding. It's a great way to save money and add a personal touch to your special day. Here are some detailed steps to guide you through the process of creating the arrangement for your boutonnière:

Choose Your Statement Bloom:

Start by selecting a statement flower for your boutonnière. This should be a flower that is not too fragile and can hold up well without a water source. Popular choices include roses, ranunculus, anthurium, pansies, and tulips. You can also opt for dried flowers as a long-lasting alternative.

Add Accents and Greenery:

Now it's time to add some accent flowers and greenery to complement your statement bloom. Choose 2-3 smaller accent blooms and a variety of greenery, such as baby's breath, ivy, eucalyptus, or Italian ruscus. Play around with the arrangement until you find a combination that you like. You can place the accents and greenery behind the statement flower or try adding an accent flower in front for a layered look. Don't be afraid to experiment until you achieve the perfect composition.

Create a Balanced Design:

As you arrange the flowers and greenery, aim for a balanced and harmonious design. You don't want any single element to overpower the others. The statement bloom should be the focal point, with the accents and greenery enhancing its beauty. Remember, you can always rearrange the pieces until you're happy with the overall look.

Secure the Arrangement:

Once you've created your desired arrangement, it's time to secure it in place. Use floral tape to wrap the stems tightly, starting from the middle and working your way down. The floral tape will help prevent the stems from wilting. If you prefer to cover the tape, you can add a ribbon by wrapping it around the stems and securing it with a knot or a small dab of hot glue.

Final Touches:

Finally, trim the stems to a uniform length, leaving about an inch or less. Make sure the stems are not too long, as you want the boutonnière to sit comfortably on the lapel. You can also add a ribbon bow or some extra greenery at the base for a more decorative touch. Now your boutonnière is almost ready! Store it in a cool, dry place until it's time to pin it onto the lapel of the wearer's jacket.

Wrap and trim: Tightly wrap stems with floral tape, trim, then add a ribbon

Wrapping and trimming your stems is an important part of the boutonnière-making process. It ensures that your flowers stay fresh and that your arrangement looks neat and tidy.

First, take your floral tape and tightly wrap it around the stems of your flowers and greenery. This tape is specially designed to seal the stems and prevent wilting. Make sure you wrap the tape downwards, stretching it as you go to activate its stickiness. You can choose to wrap the entire exposed stem, or just the middle of the bunch, depending on your preference.

Next, trim the stems neatly to the one-inch mark. This is the ideal stem length for a boutonnière, and it will ensure that the stems don't show when the arrangement is pinned to a lapel.

Finally, if you want to cover up the floral tape, add a ribbon. You can simply wrap the ribbon around the tape, starting at the bottom and working your way up to the base of the flowers. Secure the ribbon with a knot and a pin. You can also use hot glue or tape to secure the ribbon at the back of the boutonnière.

Frequently asked questions