Are you heading out for a date night? Or maybe your BFF’s wedding is on the horizon, and you think, “What if my outfit had a dash of botanical charm?” That’s where the boutonniere magic comes in. It’s a statement that says, “I’ve got this adulting thing down, and I do it with style.” And we’ll help you make a boutonniere with our How to Make a Boutonniere guide that will add a touch of personality to your lapel or your date’s jacket.
What is the purpose of a wedding boutonniere? Usually sported by the groom and the inner circle of VIPs, boutonnieres are like the floral badges of honor at a wedding. They come in all flavours: luxurious, colorful, classic, elegant, simple, or feminine. To nail the perfect design, determine the aesthetic and vision of the bridal bouquet, ensuring that every bloom plays its part in creating harmony.
What are the Best Items for Boutonnieres?
Tiny blooms and little snippets of greenery are perfect for boutonnieres. Opt for robust options because delicate flowers tend to droop in the blink of an eye. And, of course, you can explore the diverse floral and greenery choices suitable for crafting a charming wedding boutonniere.
- Consider these stunning focal flowers to create a captivating boutonniere: Majolica Spray Roses, Dahlias, Carnations, Anemones, Garden Rose, Zinnias, Ranunculus
- Incorporate these accent pieces to add a touch of elegance: Scabiosa, Babies Breath, White Veronica, Seasonal Accents, Dried Floral Decor, Astilbe, Wax Flower
- For a verdant touch, introduce these lush greenery options: Huckleberry, Italian Ruscus, Eucalyptus,
Complete your boutonniere design with a flourish by tying it together with silk ribbon or twine, perfectly complementing the bridal bouquet.
Easy Steps for Making an Eye-Catching Boutonniere
Whether it’s for a wedding, prom, or any celebration, these steps bring you closer to creating beautiful boutonnieres.
Step #1: Prepare a Boutonniere Station
Collect all the scraps you’ve collected. You can snip small pieces from larger stems if the scrap stash runs low. Begin with the sections closest to the stem’s base so you can still make the most out of the remaining stem for your next fantastic arrangement.
Step #2: Gather Your Supplies
In addition to your beautiful blooms and greenery, gather up some ribbon, floral stem tape, paper towels, pins, snips, and containers.
Pro tip: Tear a few strips of tape in advance, so you’re not fumbling while holding the boutonniere. And another trick is to give that tape a good stretch to activate the glue.
Step #3: Add Your Greenery
Opt for 1-2 varieties of greenery for your boutonnieres, and about 2-3 sprigs should do the trick. Make sure to snip off the lower leaves to keep them from causing any tape-related mischief. Keep it neat and chic.
Step #4: Add Your Flowers
Pop the blooms onto your greenery. Typically, 1-2 flowers are enough to create sleek and simple boutonnieres for groomsmen. Now, if your wedding is bursting with colour, feel free to mix it up and give each boutonniere a unique touch. And here’s a stylish twist: throw in an extra flower for the groom’s boutonniere to make it stand out.
Step #5: Introduce Texture (optional)
For an extra dash of flair, throw in 1-2 sprigs of a textured element like a wax flower, thistle, bunny tail grass, berries, baby’s breath, or solidago. Stick to 1-2 texture types to keep things chic and avoid veering into floral chaos.
Step #6: Tape Your Pre-Cut
Grab your pre-cut and pre-stretched tape, and give those stems a snug wrap. There’s no need to go stem-length crazy, just enough to keep everything snug. Remember, less tape now means less hassle when covering up later. Then, trim those stems for a neat and even finish.
Step #7: Cover the Tape (optional)
Go for some decorative wire or ribbon to cloak that tape. We suggest tan bind wire or ribbon measuring about ¼ to ½ inch wide. The wire stays put effortlessly.
And if you’re going for ribbon, tie it up or enlist the help of a trusty hot glue gun. The goal here? Just cover that tape, and there’s no need to go stem-wrapping effort.
Step #8: Add Your Pins
Next, slide two pins into the stems of each boutonniere. We’re big fans of the short pixie pins because they effortlessly go through the jacket and into the stems without any surprise stabbings. But if you’re feeling the long pins, go for it.
Step #9: Hydrate and Store Your Boutonnieres
Lay a damp paper towel at the bottom of a shallow food container. Gently arrange the boutonnieres flat on it, and top them off with another wet towel. Then, seal the container and pop it into the refrigerator.
A quick tip: Ensure your fridge is set to the warmest temperature to keep those blooms from becoming accidental ice sculptures.
How Do You Pin a Boutonniere?
We recommend using short pixie pins. Begin from behind the jacket lapel, sliding the pins through the lapel and into the flower stems. You can start with one pin at the top, angling it down towards the bottom of the stems. Follow it up with another pin from the bottom, angled towards the blooms. If the pins are a bit higher up on the stems, they’ll stay snug.
Pro tip: You can also jazz up suspenders and vests with bouts. However, if they’re plain dress shirts, those won’t hold the weight well, so it might be best to skip the boutonnieres altogether.
How Many Pins Do You Need for a Boutonniere?
With the perfect pin placement by aiming for the top of the stem where it’s at its thickest, one pin should do the trick. But if you’ve got a particularly grand or weighty boutonniere stealing the show, you might need the support with two pins. Pop that second pin about half an inch below the first for an extra layer of security.
Floral design is a delightful fusion of art and nature, and your boutonniere is a testament to the beauty that can be created with a few blooms and a touch of imagination. So, wear your floral creation proudly, knowing that you’ve not only crafted a stunning accessory but also infused it with your own personal touch.
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