Make-It-Yourself Boutonnieres

Boutonnieres help to distinguish important male figures in the wedding party.

Boutonnieres are worn by men at special events like weddings and proms. The boutonniere is fastened to the man's left lapel with a straight pin. Both fresh and silk flowers can be used to create one. Creating a boutonniere out of silk flowers will allow you to preserve the memory of that special event.

Things You'll Need

• Fresh or faux flowers and greenery
• Ruler
• Wire cutters or scissors
• Floral wire
• Floral tape
• Pearl-headed straight pin

Instructions

1. Choose a medium-sized centerpiece flower like a rose or carnation. Cut the stem of the centerpiece flower six inches long, measuring with ruler. Use wire cutters to cut faux flowers and sharp scissors to cut fresh flowers. Secure the unstable heads of roses by threading two pieces of floral wire through the bottom of fresh the rose head to create a cross. Pull the wires downward close to the stem. Wrap the wires to the stem with floral tape. Pull the tape slightly as you wrap so it sticks to its self. Tear the tape when the stem is completely covered.

2. Choose one stem of greenery and filler flowers that are medium sized yet can be seen from around the centerpiece flower when assembled. Greenery like leather leaf or ferns and filler flowers like baby's breath or wax flower work best for the boutonniere's base. Cut the stems to six inches long.

3. Lay the greenery flat; layer the filler flower on top of it. Adjust the filler flower so that some of the greenery is visible behind it. Lay the centerpiece flower on top of the filler flower. Move the centerpiece flower downward so the greenery and filler flowers are visible behind it. Adjust the floras until the boutonniere is to your liking.

4. Wrap stems tightly together with floral tape. Work downward from under the flowers until the stems are covered. Pull the floral tape as you wrap the stems so the tape will stick to itself. Tear the floral tape when the stems are completely wrapped.

5. Secure the boutonniere to the man's lapel with a pearl-headed straight pin.

Tips & Warnings

• Cover the floral tape over the stems with decorative ribbon for a more refined boutonniere.

• Curl the bottom of the stems into a spiral for a classic look.

• Omit the greenery and filler flowers to create a single flower boutonniere.

References

• How To Do Wedding Flowers: How To Make Boutonniere
• Save On Crafts: How To Make A Boutonniere For The Groom
• "Faux Florals For Your Wedding"; Ardith Beveridge,AIFD; 2005
• "Flower Style"; Pat Ross; 2002
• "To Have And To Hold"; David Stark & Avi Adler; 2005
• "Better Homes And Gardens Creative Collection Wedding Flowers" Better Homes And Gardens; 2009

Resources

• The Knot: Boutonniere Gallery