As the summer continues, it seems like there are weddings every day! As each wedding nears, the same questions often seem to come up; once you know how many flowers you need, the next question is what to do with them. One of the most common questions I get is how to make boutonnières. These elegant accents are an important part of any ceremony, and the good news is that they’re much easier to make than you’d think.

All you need is flowers, floral tape and a long sewing pin, though floral wire can be useful, particularly if you’re using flowers with soft or thin stems. As with any floral decoration, the most important thing is the flowers you use. For the groom’s boutonnière, you’ll want to echo the bride’s bouquet, probably using a flower like the ones she’s carrying. Avoid using too-big flowers like Oriental Lilies, or anything that’s likely to shed pollen.

A single Rose, nestled against a few of its own leaves, makes a classic boutonnière, but don’t shy away from other small flowers. Mini Callas, Tulips, Freesia, or anything of a similar size could also be lovely. A boutonnière is usually a single flower, often accompanied by a small amount of greenery, all wrapped up and pinned to the wearer’s jacket.

First, choose one perfect bloom (or, in the case of Freesia, a few) and cut the stem so that it’s 2-3 inches long. If any of your flowers have soft or damaged stems, or if the head has broken off one of your Roses, you can use floral wire to reinforce or replace the stem. Otherwise, simply arrange the flower with the greenery behind it, and wrap the stems in floral tape for a finished, elegant look. Be sure to cover any floral wire completely.

The last step is the easiest: pin it to the lucky man’s lapel! Try not to prick him with the pin, and make sure it won’t flop over when he walks, and you’re all set. If you make your boutonnières ahead of time, keep them refrigerated until the ceremony so that they don’t wilt. It may also help to mist them with cool water.

Hopefully these tips will help you adorn the men in your wedding! Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about how to make boutonnières, or how to care for your wedding flowers. I’m always happy to hear about success with Flowerbud flowers, and interested in tips and new ideas. If you’re just starting to plan your wedding, take a look at our Newsletter Archive, where you’ll find lots of tips and information.

As always, thanks for your interest in Flowerbud, and have a wonderful summer.

Best Wishes,
Erin Freed
Erin@flowerbud.com
Event Flower Specialist