Creating Your Wedding Boutonniere: A Step-By-Step Guide

Creating your own boutonnière for a wedding is a fun and simple DIY project that can save you money. A boutonnière is a small floral decoration that is typically worn by men on the lapel of their suit or tux. While it may seem like a simple task, creating a boutonnière involves several steps and considerations. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of making your own boutonnière, the materials and steps needed to create one, and provide some tips and tricks for a professional-looking result. We will also explore the cost considerations and time commitment involved in this DIY project, so you can decide whether it is the right choice for your wedding.

Choosing flowers and colours

Some popular flower choices for boutonnières include spray roses, ranunculus, anthurium, pansies, tulips, mums, calla lilies, carnations, and baby's breath. If you want to add greenery, options include ivy, eucalyptus, heather, Italian ruscus, and queen Anne's lace.

When choosing the colours of your flowers, consider the colour palette of the wedding party's attire and the overall wedding theme. You may want to match the boutonnière to the bridal bouquet or other floral arrangements at the wedding. It's also important to consider the season and availability of certain flowers when making your selection.

For a simple and elegant look, you can choose one type of flower in a colour that pops against the suit or tuxedo. For a more complex design, you can mix and match different types of flowers and colours that complement each other.

Remember that the boutonnière should be a reflection of your personal style and the overall aesthetic of the wedding. Don't be afraid to get creative and experiment with different flower and colour combinations until you find the perfect match.

Materials and tools

The materials and tools you will need to make your own boutonnière for a wedding include:

• Flowers: Choose one or two statement blooms that are hearty and can hold up without a water source. Spray roses, pansies, ranunculus, tulips, mums, calla lilies, billy balls, and carnations are all good options.
• Greenery and smaller flowers: Baby's breath, ivy, eucalyptus, heather, Italian ruscus, Queen Anne's lace, or wax flowers can be used to add interest and texture to your boutonnière.
• Floral scissors or stem cutters: These are used to cut the flower stems to the desired length.
• Floral tape: This is a must-have, according to experts. It is used to wrap around the flower stems, sealing them and helping to prevent wilting.
• Ribbon (optional): If you want to cover up the floral tape, you can add a ribbon. Choose a colour that complements your flowers.
• Pins: You will need pins to affix the boutonnière to the lapel of the jacket. You can use a boutonnière pin or a small safety pin.
• Floral wire (optional): If your stems are flimsy, you can use floral wire to give them extra support.
• Hot glue (optional): You can use a small amount of hot glue to secure the ribbon in place.

Once you have gathered all the necessary materials and tools, you can start creating your boutonnière. Follow the steps outlined in the various guides available online for a detailed process on how to make your own boutonnière.

Cutting and preparing stems

Cutting and preparing the stems is a crucial step in making your own wedding boutonnière. Here is a detailed guide to help you with this process:

Cutting the Stems:

• When cutting the stems, aim for a length of 2-3 inches to start with. This length provides a good base for you to work with and can always be trimmed down later.
• Use a floral stem cutter or floral snips/scissors to cut the stems.
• Remove any leaves from the lower parts of the stems that will be below the waterline.
• If you are using roses, strip off the green leaves surrounding the bud.
• For a more precise cut, trim the stems at an angle.

Preparing the Stems:

• After cutting, clean the stems by removing any excess leaves that could interfere with the arrangement.
• If your stems are flimsy, use floral wire to provide extra support. Cut a 3-inch piece of floral wire and wrap it around the stems of the bouquet.
• If you are preparing the boutonnière ahead of time, ensure the flowers are properly hydrated. Keep them in a constant temperature, away from food, in a floral cooler for at least 24 hours before the wedding.
• If you are making the boutonnière the day before, leave the stems exposed and place the arrangement in a shallow cup of water.

Once you have cut and prepared the stems, you are ready to move on to the next steps of creating your wedding boutonnière!

Arranging flowers and greenery

Once you have your flowers and greenery, decide on the arrangement. Start with the statement bloom and add the additional accents and greenery behind it. You can also add an accent flower in front for layering. Play around with the arrangement until you're happy with how it looks. Don't stress if you don't like your initial design—you can always rearrange the floral pieces until you find the perfect fit.

When you've settled on your design, it's time to secure the stems. Wrap all the stems tightly with floral tape, which helps to prevent wilting. Then, neatly trim the stems to the one-inch mark. If you want to cover up the floral tape, you can wrap a ribbon around the stems, starting at the bottom and continuing to the base of the flowers. Tie a knot and secure it with a pin.

Finally, use pins to affix the boutonnière to the lapel of the wearer's jacket. Step back and admire your handiwork!

Storing boutonnieres

Timing:

If possible, it is best to make the boutonnieres on the morning of the wedding ceremony and store them in a cool, dry place until they are ready to be worn. This ensures the flowers are as fresh as possible.

However, if you need to make them the night before, floral designer Erice McNeff recommends leaving the stems exposed and placing the boutonnieres in a shallow cup of water. Keep them in a cool, dry place, avoiding the fridge due to the gases emitted by produce, which can cause wilting.

Storage Techniques:

• Water and Vase Storage: To keep your boutonnieres fresh, especially if you're making them ahead of time, trim the stems to a few inches longer than the standard length. Store them in a small bud vase with fresh, cold water. Remember to snip the ends and replace the water daily until the wedding.
• Cool, Dark Place: Until the wedding day, store the boutonnieres in a cool, dark place, such as a refrigerator drawer. Avoid the main compartment of the fridge, as food can emit gases that may cause wilting.
• Box or Corsage Bag: Place the boutonniere on a tissue and then put it into a box with a lid or a corsage bag. This helps keep the boutonniere cool and moist.
• Spray with Water: Lightly mist the boutonniere with cool water before placing it in the box or bag for storage.
• Portable Cooler: If you need to transport the boutonnieres, keep them in a portable cooler to maintain a cool temperature.
• Avoid the Freezer: Do not store the boutonnieres in a freezer, as this will kill the flowers.
• On-Site Storage: If possible, request to store the boutonnieres on-site in a refrigerator until the groomsmen are ready to pin them on.

Additional Tips:

• Check that the tape around the base of the flowers is snug to help prevent wilting.
• Have a spare boutonniere on hand in case of any last-minute issues.
• If you are making multiple boutonnieres, consider the timing and have a plan for storing them all effectively.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your DIY boutonnieres stay fresh and look their best for your special day.

Frequently asked questions