How to Make Boutonnieres For the Groomsmen

To begin, choose whether you will use fresh or silk flowers. I recommend silk, as they are much easier to manipulate. Another benefit of silk flowers is that you can create your boutonnieres well in advance of your wedding day; store them carefully and they will look pristine. There are varieties of craft stores that offer an abundance of artificial flowers that do not look artificial at all. It may be helpful to visit several craft stores and look around to see all the variations of flowers presented. Decide what you want your focal flower to be and what colours you want to use.

How to Make Beautiful Boutonnieres

Supplies needed:

• Flowers – For a boutonniere, choose one central flower, not too large, that will be your focal point. In addition, 2 to 4 other smaller flowers that complement.
• Small “filler” flowers such as baby’s breath
• Greenery – you may be able to use any green leaves that come with your flowers. You can also buy greenery separately, in many different textures and shades.
• Green floral wire
• Green floral tape
• Corsage pins
• Hot glue gun
• Wire cutters – invest in a good pair as the flower stems can be difficult to cut.

As you purchase flowers, you may also want to consider something exclusive for the groom’s boutonniere to make it more prominent. For example, you can make red boutonnieres for all the groomsmen, ushers, and male relatives, and white boutonnieres for your husband and both fathers. You could also make junior-size boutonnieres for any young participants or family members.

Using wire cutters cut the stem of your central flower to the length you want the boutonniere to be, about 4-5″. Holding the flower in your hand, grasp the stem just below the flower, decide which part looks best to face front. Add some baby’s breath or other filler flower and place where it looks best; be sure the stem is long enough so that you can catch it with your fingers while holding the core stem, just below the main flower. Arrange greenery in the back of the boutonniere, again catching the stems so you can hold it all together. Hold arrangement firmly in place while you wrap the stems beginning at the top with an 8″ piece of floral wire. If this is a bit tricky at first, you may find it helpful to work with a friend so you have another set of hands. Be sure that the flowers and greenery do not shift while you wrap the stems. The wire needs to be firmly secured and rigid, holding the stems together.

Once you are finished with the wiring, cut off any sharp ends. Again, starting at the top of the stem over the wire, wrap the floral tape, winding around and overlapping all the way to the end of the stem. Make sure to cover all of the wire. Floral tape sticks when you stretch it, so make sure to keep a good tension. Once you have the whole stem wrapped, cut the floral tape and use hot glue to secure it at the back of the boutonniere so the glue does not show from the front. To wear, attach with a corsage pin.