Roses are the most popular flower for a boutonniere, but you shouldn’t feel as if they have to follow tradition. Any other flower with a woody stem or that last more than a day out of water can work, so experiment! I like thistle and heather for kilt-wearing grooms. Tulips and orchids work well too but I find that with all the hugging that happens on the day these tend to crush easily and look a bit ‘sad’ early in the day.
Choosing Boutonnieres
The colour of your boutonnieres can be chosen to either contrast or complement the colour of the groom’s outfit. For instance, a black morning suit with a burgundy cravat could be complemented by a burgundy boutonniere made from a tulip, calla lily or rose. Alternatively, you could arrange for boutonnieres to be made that mirror the flowers in the bride’s bouquets.
Who Should Have Boutonnieres?
It is common for the bridegroom, best man, ushers/groomsmen and fathers of the bride and bridegroom to all have boutonnieres. Some couples also like to make boutonnieres available to all who attend the wedding ceremony, but this will be dependent on your budget and really is no longer a necessary expense. To mark him out as special, the bridegroom often has a slightly different boutonniere to the rest of the wedding party. It may be a different colour, or the florist may put on decorative beads, diamante, or an additional bloom.
How to Wear A Boutonnieres
The boutonniere is worn on the gentleman’s left lapel. It should be worn on the outside of the buttonhole, and not in it. It is common to secure it in place by using a pearl-headed pin from the back of the lapel. This can be done through the underside of the lapel so that the pin will then be invisible from the front.