What is a boutonniere and how to make it yourself?

Preparing for a wedding celebration is always associated with a lot of pleasant troubles, worries and worries. And in all this pre-holiday excitement, don’t forget about such an important wedding attribute as the groom’s boutonniere. It is as important as the bride’s bouquet, and the choice of this accessory should be approached responsibly.

Origin of the boutonniere

Boutonniere (from the French “flower in the buttonhole”) is a decoration in the form of one or several flowers, arranged in a composition, which is pinned to an outfit on especially special occasions.

The prototype of the boutonniere can be considered a small bottle with a flower, which the ancient Greeks put on the suit of the newlywed as a talisman that protected his feelings from evil spirits.

In the Middle Ages, knights wore small bouquets on their chests as a sign of love and fidelity to the lady of their heart. This decoration was made from the beloved’s favorite flowers and had not only a romantic, but also an aesthetic character: the aroma of flowers drowned out unpleasant odors.

In Rus' there was a whole wedding ceremony with a boutonniere. The bride presented the groom with a small bouquet as a symbol that she agreed to connect her destiny with her lover.

The boutonniere gained wide popularity at the beginning of the 19th century. According to legend, in 1840, during the wedding ceremony of Prince Albert and Queen Victoria, the groom took a flower from the bride's bouquet and inserted it into the buttonhole on his uniform, thereby opening the fashion for boutonnieres among English gentlemen.

Today, such jewelry is worn not only by men, but also by women. The former pin it to the lapel of their jacket, the latter decorate their hair with a flower and wear it as a brooch or bracelet.

Flowers and masculinity

To begin with, we should clarify the point with the perception of flowers as a purely feminine accessory. There are many people who do not understand what a boutonniere is and attribute it to women's jewelry. But this opinion is extremely different from the truth.

Great statesmen, warriors and poets have worn flowers for over a millennium. Soldiers went to war with pride and a flower on their chest.

Who can wear a boutonniere made of fresh flowers at a wedding?

Traditionally, a boutonniere is the prerogative of the groom, but today this decoration can be worn by any participant in the event.

  • The bride, in order not to wear a bouquet all day, can decorate her outfit with a brooch. The main thing is that the bouquet looks harmonious with the dress and matches the contents of the groom’s boutonniere.
  • Witnesses, as a sign of special closeness to the young people, wear such jewelry to the event. The main rule in this case is that the boutonniere should be more modest than that of the newlyweds.
  • Guests and friends can decorate their outfits with flowers to emphasize the solemnity of the event. It is important to know that single people wear a boutonniere on the left side, married people - on the right.
  • Boutonniere bouquets can decorate not only the outfits of the newlyweds and guests, but also the venue of the celebration.

Options for the arrangement of boutonnieres for the witness

The girl who was invited to be a witness has the opportunity to choose several luxurious ways of attaching a boutonniere in order to distinguish herself from the mass of invited guests:

  • Of course, the traditional way is to attach boutonnieres on the chest, near the bodice or bodice.
  • Sometimes the bridesmaid pins a bouquet at the very beginning of the skirt, where it is attached to the bodice, slightly asymmetrically.
  • A lush boutonniere that brightens up your wrist like a bracelet looks very beautiful.
  • Sometimes the witness decorates her bag or clutch with a boutonniere, which will be with her absolutely all the time.

Which flower is best for?

The couple should choose the number of buds and their design together, the main thing is that they are securely attached to the lapel of the jacket.

Rose

A symbol of love, care and admiration, it is better to give preference to small roses and not bright shades. You should not single them out; roses are often chosen to match the groom's tie.

Iris

Symbolizes masculinity, emphasizes valor and courage. You can make a bouquet of iris, which will evoke a spring mood with its appearance. Very often, florists arrange white roses or lilies, iris and several branches of fern into one composition.

Orchid

Emphasizes luxury and wealth. An orchid will show the sophistication of a man and the elegance of his outfit. Experts advise making an accessory for a man from one flower.

Freesia

They symbolize aristocracy and are very popular, since very often lovers order discreet or bright mini bouquets of freesias to emphasize individuality.

Today, you can choose any bud for decorative decorations, since florists will treat it with a special chemical solution, and it will not fade throughout the entire special day.

General recommendations

When composing a bouquet for a bride who chooses a classic wedding dress, white peonies are often used. To keep them from blending in with the main background, add bright red accents or include pink buds in the bouquet. Do not use white bouquets if the bride is wearing a cream or champagne dress. An outfit in ivory, ivory, with a silver or golden tint allows the use of mono-bouquets of white peonies.

In order not to disturb the harmony in the images of the newlyweds, peonies are also included in the composition of the groom's boutonniere. It is difficult to keep track of the safety of the accessory, so prepare a backup option in advance if the previous one becomes unusable.

If you purchase a ready-made bouquet, you should order it 2-3 days before the special event. Choose buds that have opened a little, but have not completely blossomed. Otherwise, they may not “survive” to the end of the event.

If the bride wants to appear before the guests with a bouquet of tight, dense buds, you should know that this shape is maintained for 5-7 hours at a temperature of +20-25 degrees. By evening, the shape of the bouquet may change. When choosing a variety, consider the air temperature indoors or outdoors and the duration of the wedding event. An interesting option is a contrasting combination of closed and open buds in a bouquet.

Important! In order for the bouquet to remain in its original form, it needs coolness. Blooming in the warmth, it creates a new mood and enlivens the image, making it more relaxed

Wedding floristry professionals recommend “hardening” the bouquet daily by placing it in cold water - this way it can last longer. The day before the wedding, it is better not to place flowers in a warm place, leaving the bouquet in the refrigerator. Humidity is detrimental to a bouquet of peonies.

Features of jewelry

Each plant and its color has its own meaning. Therefore, before creating a decoration for your loved one, you should take this into account. Their number also plays an important role.

One flower most often indicates that the beloved woman is the only and beloved one.

Numbers such as 10 and 13 are considered a bad sign. This indicates that the person hates you and wants to do something bad.

Flower meaning

The attitude towards another person can be easily expressed with the help of plants. This also applies to the boutonniere, because by presenting it to the groom, the bride conveys her feelings to him.

Therefore, when purchasing or making such decoration, you should know the meaning of each flower.

  1. Azalea symbolizes feelings such as care, passion and at the same time restraint.
  2. Acacia speaks of a person’s chastity.
  3. Lily says that love is a dangerous feeling.
  4. Pansies are about innocence.
  5. Aster is an exquisite flower that is a symbol of love.
  6. Cloves are a charm.
  7. Iris is a symbol of faith, hope, love and wisdom.
  8. Lily of the valley – purity and tenderness.
  9. Poppy is an eternal dream.
  10. Daisies symbolize innocence.
  11. Mint – warm feelings.
  12. Narcissist is selfish.
  13. Dandelions are a symbol of fidelity and happiness.
  14. Peony is best used for a boutonniere, because it is associated with a happy family life.
  15. Orchid is a sign of love.
  16. Rose – love and passion.
  17. Tulip is a symbol of trust.

Based on this, you can create a worthy decoration for your loved one. If you prefer fresh flowers, then it is better to make a boutonniere yourself or with the help of a florist, but only after you confirm the layout.

Color meaning

Each color has its own meaning and symbolizes a particular feeling. Therefore, when creating a boutonniere, it is worth taking this into account. Yellow is separation, pink is love, bright red is passion.

Blue, which is a symbol of devotion, is considered universal and at the same time the best. Purple colors speak of peace and trust in a couple, and black colors speak of death. Therefore, in principle, it is not recommended to use it to create a boutonniere.

Even if the groom’s suit is black, this color goes well with any other shade, for example, a white rose.

The place of flowers in wedding traditions

Our ancestors believed that the peony symbolizes success and material well-being. In this regard, its blossoms were present at wedding ceremonies of different eras. Despite its simplicity, peony really pleases the eye with its lush petals and unique scent.

If you decide to go with this option, you have a choice of 30 species and 10,000 varieties. The traditional color of peony is soft pink; bright crimson and white colors are less common. Finding more exotic colors of this plant is not difficult, but under such conditions it is better to order the product in advance.

There are the following types of peonies:

  • Terry. An example of such plants can be found in most city flower beds. Despite its undeniable beauty, choosing such a peony for a boutonniere is highly not recommended due to its extremely large dimensions and poor resistance to temperature changes;
  • Tree-like. These blooms differ from our usual understanding of peony. They have pointed ends of the petals. The likelihood that a boutonniere made from such flowers will retain its pleasant appearance until the end of the day is somewhat higher, but the specific structure of this type of peony does not allow it to gain wide popularity among newlyweds.
  • Anemone-like. Their head has the shape of a kind of crown. The inner petals of the plant are much less lush than the outer ones. Among all types of peonies, this one is practically the most durable.
  • Rose-shaped. The name of the plant form indicates a description of its constitution.

It was pink peonies that were repeatedly used at the weddings of Hollywood celebrities.

Should I order from a florist or do it myself?

Not all brides have time to make a boutonniere for the groom with their own hands from flowers. In addition, it is inexpensive - only 200-500 rubles. So buying boutonnieres won’t put a big dent in your pocket.

But if you are a needlewoman and love to create beautiful original things, then a handmade boutonniere for the groom will be one of the most pleasant gifts for him.

How to choose flowers

Living plants are the most common material for making boutonnieres. Such jewelry will help create a truly gentle and elegant image of the groom. The main disadvantage of the brooch is its fragility and fragility.

To minimize the risk of your boutonniere quickly fading, you should be very careful in choosing the flowers from which it will be made.

  1. The plant for decoration should be fresh, preferably just cut.
  2. It is better to choose those flowers that are able to maintain their original appearance for a long time.
  3. To create a boutonniere, you should select small buds of soft colors so that they look harmonious with the suit.
  4. Flowers should not have a strong aroma so as not to cause discomfort and headaches.
  5. It is also better if the flowers are without pollen, which will avoid damage to the costume.

What is needed to create an accessory with your own hands?

For the creative process you should stock up on the following materials:

  • Fresh flowers.
  • Plants with small inflorescences, or just greenery for decorating the composition.
  • Decorative pin for attaching a boutonniere to a jacket lapel.
  • Scissors.
  • Floral tape.
  • Special wire for making flower arrangements.
  • Satin ribbon (no more than 20 cm).
  • Tape.
  • Cotton pad (according to the number of flowers in the boutonniere).
  • Special solution for Vitant or Chrysal flowers.

Place of other flowers in a boutonniere with peony

We are dealing with a rather specific plant, so other flowers in the composition should be treated with extreme caution. Which ones can be included in a boutonniere?

  1. Gerbera mini. This is a symbol of fidelity to love, purity and purity.

    A flower called statice is a symbol of sadness and is strictly forbidden to be included in wedding bouquets.

  2. Hydrangea mini. This flower is the personification of love in Romano-Germanic and Anglo-Saxon countries.
  3. Freesia mini. By adding it to your boutonniere, you imply youth and trust.


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Finally, it is worth recalling the main rule of preparing for any celebration: think through all the details in advance so that on your wedding day you can enjoy each other exclusively!

Description of the manufacturing process

Below is a detailed master class on how to make a boutonniere from fresh flowers with your own hands. Let's take a rose boutonniere as an example.

  • Trim the bud to the desired length (about 2 cm) and separate the outer petals to create a delicate small bud.
  • We carefully thread the decorating wire (about 20 cm) through the base of the bud. You can make a hole with an awl in advance.

  • Now the wire needs to be bent in half.

  • In order for our composition to stay fresh until the end of the celebration, you need to wrap a cotton pad soaked in Chrysal solution around the wire at the base of the bud and securely fix it with tape. Secure at the bottom with glue.

  • You can complete the boutonniere decor using a satin ribbon. Its color needs to be matched to the groom’s suit, or in accordance with the style of the wedding celebration.
  • To keep the composition fresh until the right moment, the flower should be sprayed with water, placed in cellophane and placed in a cool place. As an option, a compartment for vegetables and fruits in your refrigerator is suitable.

You should start making a boutonniere from fresh flowers no earlier than a day before the celebration. This way it will retain its freshness.

In the photos of boutonnieres in our article you will see the most popular styles of decorations made from fresh flowers.

We also provide video tutorials on how to make boutonnieres from fresh flowers with your own hands.

Simple bouquet with fish and beer

The simplest gastronomic gift. It can be created literally from scrap materials! Nothing complicated is required to make it. Take your recipient's favorite beer. Beer looks more beautiful in a glass bottle. Then you pick up a few pieces of dry fish (roach, bream, carp, ram - or you can put in what your fisherman caught himself). It must certainly be intact. You will also need skewers. Thin wooden ones are best. And sushi chopsticks. Also prepare tape and cellophane (film). It is advisable to take the latter stronger so that it looks more presentable.

For decoration, take a ribbon, your favorite nuts or crackers. And to decorate an edible bouquet, be sure to prepare black packaging - this way the gift will look much more stylish. If you want to slay a man, as they say, on the spot, use craft paper. As a last resort, the packaging can be made from newspaper or burlap. Just cut the piece you need and tie it with twine.

Below are our step-by-step instructions.

*photo source

Step 1

. Take dried fish. Attach skewers to it on two opposite sides. Carefully wrap the structure in cellophane. Secure with tape. You should now have a fish on a stick. Tie the fish beautifully with a ribbon. Do the same with the rest of the fish.

Step 2

. Attach sushi chopsticks to the bottle. In exactly the same way.

Step 3

. Place nuts, crackers and other favorite delicacies of a man on skewers, just like fish.

Step 4

. Take our “flowers” ​​by the sticks and arrange them into a bouquet. It's best to use tape to attach everything to the beer.

Step 5

. Now all that remains is to wrap the present beautifully. Wrap the bouquet in paper. Design it in an original way to your liking. A delicious bouquet of food is ready! Believe me, creating such deliciousness is a pleasure!

Step-by-step master class

Having decided on the materials from which the boutonniere will be made, you can begin to work. But without proper experience, a self-made product may not be accurate enough. The master class will help solve this problem. There are many original ways to create a boutonniere with your own hands on the Internet. Before you get started, you need to prepare the following tools:

  • the material from which the accessory will be created;
  • pins for fixing decorative elements and attaching boutonnieres to clothes;
  • scissors or pruning shears;
  • floral wire;
  • wire cutters

The list of required equipment can be supplemented depending on the accessory being manufactured.

For feather guests

An excellent option for making a boutonniere for guests would be to use decorative or natural feathers of different colors. To create a decoration, you must adhere to the following algorithm of actions:

  1. Gather all the feathers into a bun, forming a neat bouquet.
  2. Add other decorative elements (ribbons, beads, mesh) to the overall composition.
  3. Securely tie the base of the accessory with a ribbon of a suitable color and secure it with glue or a pin.

At the end, you need to fix the wedding attribute on the clothes. This accessory is easy to assemble and very inexpensive. The materials can be purchased at any craft store.

Roses for the bridesmaids

Even inexperienced needlewomen can make flower boutonnieres for bridesmaids with their own hands:

  1. Stretch the floral wire through the base of the bud and position it so that even parts of the edges remain on both sides.
  2. The wire must be pressed to the stem and wrapped with a ribbon of a suitable color.
  3. Add leaves or other elements to the bud, which are pressed against the stem and wrapped with fabric tape.
  4. After completing the composition, you need to cut off most of the length of the stem and leave 1-3 cm.

Finally, you need to secure the ribbon with a pin on the back of the accessory and use it to attach the decoration to the outfit.

Traditionally, a boutonniere is an accessory that consists of one bud; this option is made for the bridesmaid. The classic attribute is made from roses of a delicate shade.

Additional decorative elements

Goes well with fresh flowers:

  • Airy dishes made of porcelain, glass, preferably white or plain (light shades).
  • Large candles (white, pink).
  • Thread balls and Chinese lanterns.
  • Matte materials, transparent, translucent materials for draperies, furniture.
  • Openwork interior details - candlesticks, vases, napkin holders, chairs.

In general, a wedding in the style of peony chic suggests that all attention is directed to the flowers. They are the main element of decor and the brightest spot

There is a temptation to turn the celebration into a floral riot and include many other plants in the bouquets. Then the style of the celebration will change, and you will not achieve your goal. Keep this in mind when creating your wedding compositions.

Materials of tablecloths and napkins made of satin material, with elaborate decor, are inappropriate against the background of matte petals. The use of printed fabrics is acceptable. The main condition is that their brightness should not overshadow the floral decor.

Don't forget about the wedding car and the cushion where the rings will be placed; a bag or chest for money and other attributes of a traditional ceremony. You can decorate them yourself. Also, decoration of cars and ceremonial items is traditionally entrusted to friends, witnesses, and bridesmaids.

If you don't like artificial flowers, choose paper options or ribbon flowers. Made to order or with your own hands, they will help you save money and add a unique atmosphere indoors and at outdoor parties. Objectively evaluate your skills in arranging bouquets and, if necessary, contact professional florists.

Composition options

Stylists recommend paying special attention to the groom’s boutonniere, because it will attract no less attention than the bride’s bouquet. When choosing a flower arrangement design, you need to consider the following points:

  1. The design of this decoration should be harmoniously combined with the overall style of the celebration. For a classic wedding, a single rose, chrysanthemum or peony is perfect. If the wedding is in a nautical style, you can attach a boutonniere with burlap, shells, and tiny starfish. For a rustic style, daisies, herbs, flax, and ears are more suitable.
  2. The flower on the groom's suit must match the bride's wedding bouquet. It is ideal if the flowers of the bride and groom are the same or as similar as possible in shade and size.
  3. The boutonniere should be firmly attached to the suit. It is not enough to simply insert the flower stems into the buttonhole; you need to secure them with a special pin.
  4. A floral accessory should not be too bright, large, or contain many decorative elements.

When making boutonnieres from fresh flowers, you need to make sure that they do not leave marks on your clothes. Some buds have too much pollen, which can ruin not only the groom's suit, but also the bride's dress.

The groom's boutonniere comes in several composition design options:

  1. One flower. As a rule, a fairly large rose, peony, iris, orchid, or chrysanthemum are selected for a single composition.
  2. Miniature bouquet. It can consist of several flowers of approximately the same size or one flower surrounded by greenery, buds, inflorescences, and other decorative elements.
  3. Brooch. For a glamorous wedding, instead of a traditional floral accessory, a brooch in the shape of a bud, bouquet, key, feather or even an insect is often preferred.

The groom chooses the brightest boutonniere for himself, and more modest floral accessories are selected for the invited guests to stand out from their background.

Popular solutions

When choosing which roses are best to make a boutonniere - live or artificial, many choose the first option. In most cases, such a flower will look rich and noble, and a light aroma will accompany the groom throughout the day. Artificial flowers are usually chosen by those who are allergic to smell; otherwise, live buds have a clear advantage.

One of the original solutions is considered to be a boutonniere for a young man made of spray roses and freesia - a recognized flower of aristocrats, which symbolizes tenderness and warmth. These two flowers complement each other perfectly, and a whole palette of various colors will allow you to easily make a suitable combination in the desired shade. At the same time, the light aroma of a bush rose will not be intrusive, and the exotic freesia will only gently complement it. The shade should be chosen depending on the groom’s suit: if dark colors predominate in it, then the boutonniere should be light, and vice versa.

A popular combination is the tandem of a rose and an orchid, which is the favorite flower of many modern young girls. Such an accessory will highlight the youth of the bride and groom, and will also complement a solid and at the same time stylish image. A white rose, a symbol of purity and innocence, and a red orchid, personifying ardent passion, go well together, but you can choose any other combination.

A wedding accessory made of roses and hydrangeas - branches with small inflorescences of various shades - will look gentle and attractive. These flowers can be obtained from a florist at any time of the year, and they are quite durable. White hydrangea and red or pink rose can complement the image of a handsome, confident man.

If you want to make your boutonniere original and exotic, you can combine roses and alstroemeria in it. The fragile and delicate buds of these flowers can come in a wide variety of bright colors, so you can create a combination to suit any wedding style and groom’s look. Light shades of alstroemeria, such as white or cream, are especially popular.

Creative modern ideas

Designers love to break the traditional idea of ​​what a boutonniere is. They create this wedding accessory from the most unusual materials, combinations of colors and shapes. Among the original ideas for boutonniere design are:

  1. Marine version - twine, shells, stars, pearls, pieces of coral are used to make it.
  2. In the steampunk style - a composition of clock mechanisms, keys, feathers.
  3. In a rustic style - a bouquet consisting of several ears of corn, buttons, tiny sunflowers or dried cotton flowers.
  4. Autumn design - red berries, small cones, branches of evergreen bushes (arborvitae, juniper, boxwood, cherry laurel).

Features of composing a purple bouquet

Lilac flowers look original and impressive in a bride’s bouquet, but the plants should be in harmony with the girl’s appearance. When forming a set with lilac tones, follow the rules in the size of the buds and combination:

Dimensions

A bouquet in purple tones attracts attention, standing out against the background of a delicate white dress. Therefore, excessively large buds and lush sets will make the image tacky

Compositions of medium and small sizes emphasize the femininity of the bride. Flowers of rich colors are added to small bouquets. Combinations of tones. It is not easy to find a harmonious combination with purple plants. Therefore, when compiling a set on their own, they stick to proven compositions. The tenderness and sophistication of the image is emphasized by the combination of white and lilac shades. Yellow irises, tulips or roses complement, creating contrast and liveliness. The combination of purple and red colors requires a complete combination of shades. Lilac and purple buds go well with red buds of warm soft tones. Plant shape. A composition with irises or lavender, the stems of which stick up, expresses dynamics. Lavender with peonies in white, crimson, and light pink shades look impressive. And for a country-style bouquet, lilac branches and tulips are suitable. Lilac makes the composition lush and dense, and tulips act as accents. White tulips and purple lilacs are for sophisticated ladies.

Signs associated with a wedding boutonniere for the groom

A huge number of superstitions are associated with a wedding, as with other important events in life, and some of them relate specifically to the groom’s boutonniere:

  • The groom's boutonniere is attached to the side of the heart, that is, to the left;
  • The bride and groom will need safety pins, which are attached to the clothes with the metal head down. This will serve as a kind of protection against the evil eye. The girl can attach it anywhere on her wedding dress (the main thing is from the inside), and the groom can attach an artificial boutonniere or a fresh flower. The main condition is that no one sees the pins.
  • During the traditional ceremony of removing the veil from the bride, a couple of young people must be chosen from among the guests present - the girl will put the bride’s veil on her head, and the guy will “inherit” the groom’s boutonniere. If lovers in love with each other are invited for this procedure, they will soon also get married.
  • A very important condition is that neither the veil nor the boutonniere should be given to anyone. After reading the above tradition, this may seem absurd, but in reality everything is a little different.


In case of “transferring” their items of clothing, they order an alternative veil and boutonniere.
You should keep your own things throughout your entire life and act as a kind of relic. Let's say, if your child gets sick, you need to cover him with a wedding veil or hang it over the baby's crib (from the evil eye).

Sources

  • https://womee.ru/butonerka-iz-zhivyh-tsvetov-stilnoe-ukrashenie-svadebnogo-naryada/
  • https://psvadba.ru/butonerka.html
  • https://marry.guru/zheniham/butonerka/iz-zhivyh-tsvetov
  • https://tvoja-svadba.ru/butonerka-dlya-zhenixa-svoimi-rukami-iz-zhivyx-cvetov/
  • https://weddingadvice.ru/butonerka-iz-zhivyh-tsvetov/
  • https://odezhda.guru/aksessuary/1532-butonerka-svoimi-rukami
  • https://odezhda.guru/dlya-svadby/1698-butonerka-dla-zeniha
  • https://isvadby.ru/ykrasheniya/chto-takoe-butonerka-dlya-zhenixa-i-kakuyu-vybrat.html
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