Wedding Buttonholes: Everything You Need to Know
- extragorgeousbloom
- Aug 9
- 4 min read
When planning your wedding flowers, it is easy to spend lots of time thinking about the bridal bouquet, bridesmaid flowers and beautiful ceremony arrangements. But some of the smallest floral details can be just as special.
Wedding buttonholes are a lovely way to carry your chosen flowers and colours throughout the wedding party, tying everything together beautifully.
At Extra Gorgeous Blooms, I create bespoke wedding flowers, wedding buttonholes, corsages, ceremony flowers and reception arrangements.
So who actually needs a buttonhole? Should the groom's be different? And which side should you wear one on?
Here is everything you need to know.
What is a Wedding Buttonhole?
A wedding buttonhole - sometimes called a boutonniere - is a small arrangement designed to be worn on an outfit.
Traditionally, buttonholes were fairly simple, often consisting of a single flower with a little foliage. Today, they can be designed in all sorts of styles, from classic and elegant to relaxed, wild and garden inspired.
I usually design buttonholes using flowers and foliage that complement the rest of the wedding flowers, creating a subtle connection between the bridal party, ceremony and reception flowers.
For example, a soft romantic wedding might feature a beautiful rose with delicate foliage, while a more relaxed country wedding could incorporate smaller seasonal floers, herbs or textural greenery.
Who wears a buttonhole at a wedding?
There are not really any rules anymore, so you can choose whichever members of your wedding party you would like to wear one.
Traditionally, wedding buttonholes are often provided for:
The groom
Groomsmen or ushers
Fathers and stepfathers
Grandfathers
Page boys
Other important family members or guests
Some couples keep buttonholes just for the groom and groomsmen, while other like to include the wider wedding party.
It is completely up to you.
Should the groom's buttonhole be different?
I love making the groom's buttonhole slightly different from the others.
It does not necessarily need to be bigger. Sometimes just one additional flower, a different variety or an extra piece of foliage is enough.
One lovely option is to take a flower or detail from the bridal bouquet and incorporate it into the groom's buttonhole.
It creates a subtle connection between the couple's flowers without everything having to match exactly.
Do buttonholes need to match the bridal bouquet? They should compliment the bridal bouquet, but they do not need to be a miniature versions of it.
If I am creating an entire wedding flower scheme, I consider all the different elements together.
The bridal bouquet might contain beautiful focal roses, seasonal flowers, delicate textures and trailing foliage, while a buttonhole may take just one rose and a little greenery from that overall design.
It is about creating cohesion rather than making everything identical.
Which side do you wear a wedding buttonhole?
Traditionally, men's wedding buttonholes are worn on the left hand side, positioned around the lapel area.
If the jacket has a buttonhole in the lapel, this can help with positioning, although modern wedding buttonholes are often secured using pins or other floristry fixings.
Do not worry if you have never attached one before. When I deliver wedding flowers, I can provide guidance on how the buttonholes should be positioned so they sit neatly and comfortably.
What flowers can be used for wedding buttonholes?
Lot's of different flowers can work beautifully, although they need to be suitable for being out of water for several hours.
Some popular choices include:
Roses - timeless, romantic and available in a huge range of colours.
Spray roses - particularly lovely when you want something more delicate.
Lisianthus - soft and elegant and beautiful for romantic wedding flowers.
Small seasonal flowers - wonderful for adding personality and texture.
Foliage - perfect for adding shape, softness and greenery.
The exact flowers I recommend will depend on you wedding date, colour palette, overall floral style and what is looking its best at the time.
That is one of the reasons I encourage couples to be a little flexible with individual flower varieties. It allows me to select beautiful flowers that work perfectly with the overall design.
What about buttonholes for page boys?
For younger page boys, I usually recommend keeping things smaller and lighter.
A delicate flower with a little foliage can look lovely without feeling oversized on a small suit.
Depending on the child's age, we can also discuss the most appropriate way to attach it.
What is the difference between a buttonhole and a corsage?
Buttonholes tend to be smaller and are traditionally worn on the lapel.
Corsages usually contain slightly more floral detail and may be worn on an outfit or as a wrist corsage.
Mothers and grandmother of the couple often choose corsages, although there are absolutely no rules about who can wear what.
The important thing is that the design feels comfortable and works with the person's outfit.
How do I choose my wedding buttonholes?
You do not need to know exactly what flowers you would like before speaking with your florist.
In fact, you do not need to know the names of any of the flowers.
When I am designing wedding flowers, I am much more interested initially in your colour palette, venue, season and how you want your wedding to feel.
You might tell me that you would like something romantic and elegant, relaxed and whimsical, colourful and joyful, or soft and garden-inspired.
From there, I can suggest flowers and foliage that bring that look together.
Wedding Buttonholes in Hampshire
At Extra Gorgeous Blooms, I create bespoke wedding flowers for couples across Hampshire, Surrey, Berkshire, West Sussex and surrounding areas.
Based in Alton, Hampshire, my wedding flowers have a natural, romantic and garden-inspired feel, with each element designed to complement the rest of your day.
From the moment your bridal bouquet arrives on your wedding morning to the smallest buttonhole, I believe every detail deserves the same care and attention.
If you are planning your wedding and would like to talk about your bridal bouquet, bridesmaid flowers, buttonholes, corsages, ceremony flowers or reception arrangements, I would love to hear about your plans.
Get in touch to start planning your wedding flowers with Extra Gorgeous Blooms.
Comments