Groom's boutonniere - what is hidden behind it!?

The flower on the groom's lapel is, perhaps, the main difference from the outfits of the other men at the celebration. Much the same as a bride's veil or dress. This is a beautiful and effective accessory, a symbol of the holiday. Therefore, it is not worth giving up on it just like that, without any special reason. Flowers, as a symbol of recognition and patronage of the gods, were worn by noble men back in Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. The winners and emperors wore flower wreaths on their heads. During the great French Revolution, the red carnation in the buttonhole of the nobles became a symbol of nobility and courage.

In the 19th century, these jewelry firmly entered the world of men's fashion as a stylish and original accessory. Since it was customary to wear fresh flowers, they were inserted into special brooch vases into which water was poured. What now?

• What types of jewelry are there for the groom?
• Newlyweds style.
• Who pins the decoration and on which side?

What does a boutonniere symbolize and why should the groom have one at his wedding?

Even in ancient Rome, there were accessories for newlyweds; the bride pinned a flower to her lover’s suit, symbolizing her love. Slavic girls expressed their love differently; they wove wreaths and gave them to their beloved man.

The first flowers to be attached to a jacket were invented for the wedding of Prince Albert in England. Previously, it was believed that if a girl wove a wreath for a guy with her own hands and attached it to the left side of his shirt, then this amulet protected the man from evil spirits and the evil eye.

Today, the composition only symbolizes the belonging of a man to a woman.

A little history

The word "boutonniere" is of French origin and means "flower in the buttonhole." However, the meaning of this word is deeply rooted in Ancient Greece and Rome. Even in those days, a pinned flower was considered a symbol of fidelity. But still, the wider use of the flower in male form appeared after the French Revolution, when nobles went to the death penalty with a red carnation in their buttonhole, thereby proving their fearlessness. Already at the beginning of the 19th century, almost every man wore a boutonniere, and it was not uncommon to see a flower in the groom’s wedding dress.

Currently, another meaning has been added to this accessory. In its modern meaning, the boutonniere says that the groom seems to belong to the bride, so it is made in the same style as the wedding bouquet. Thus once again confirming that they are halves of one whole.

How to choose a boutonniere for the groom for a wedding?

To choose the right and harmonious composition, you should follow three simple rules:

• the decorative decoration should be combined with the bride’s outfit, so you should choose models in a similar color scheme;
• you can complement the boutonniere with additional elements that are used to decorate the main bouquet;
• It is better to choose inflorescences that do not wither for a long time without water, or give preference to seasonal flowers.

Boutonniere made of fresh flowers or artificial?

Artificial decorative decorations will cost a couple much less than models made from fresh flowers.

Advantages of an artificial boutonniere:

• will not wither;
• will not crumble;
• the appearance will remain unchanged.

A bouquet of live inflorescences will look much more impressive, as it will fit perfectly with the main composition of the bride. This ensemble will highlight the individuality of the couple. When choosing boutonnieres from fresh flowers, experts advise purchasing two sets, in case the first one withers or someone damages it.

Tips for choosing a wedding boutonniere

An important and bright accessory for decorating an outfit is a boutonniere for the groom. Such a small and beautiful bouquet makes a men’s suit not just a formal one, but a wedding one. However, there are several subtleties that need to be taken into account when choosing this accessory. First of all, think about what kind of flowers will be - fresh or artificial, decide on the size of the boutonniere, its color, what will combine it with the bride’s bouquet. Otherwise, follow the tips below.

• The main thing is that the chosen flowers match the groom’s wedding suit and look harmonious with the bride’s bouquet. Flowers in the bride's buttonhole and the bride's bouquet look beautiful and romantic if they are as similar as possible. For example, a rose can decorate not only women, but also men.
• It is advisable that the groom's boutonniere be made using the same flowers as the bride's bouquet. If this is not possible, then you should choose the most similar plants.
• A boutonniere for the groom is ordered at the same time as the same detail for the witness. There are cases when brides want all close male relatives to have this accessory. If your finances allow you, you can safely order boutonnieres for your relatives. This will make the wedding more formal.

• Many brides prefer to choose the same flowers for the groom and witness. However, boutonnieres should be different. For a friend, choose a more modest accessory.
• Remember that fresh flowers can wither and ruin your costume, so it is recommended to opt for artificial options. You should not give preference to bright colors for the groom’s light suit, so that they do not look tasteless.
• It is not advisable to choose boutonnieres that are too large. This accessory should complement the groom's suit, but not attract all the attention of others. If you decorate the boutonniere with a bow and ribbons, it will become larger, but the bride’s bouquet will still be brighter.
• It is advisable to choose flowers in ivory (ivory) shade. You can give preference to brighter plants, but do not forget about a sense of proportion.
• Choosing a boutonniere on your own can be very difficult; you may need to consult an experienced florist.
• Choose traditional flowers or give preference to some exotic plants. In some cases, green grass is used to decorate the boutonniere, but in small quantities.

• If you want the accessory to be made using fresh flowers, it is best to order a spare option in advance. Thanks to this little trick, a beautiful flower will decorate the groom's suit throughout the day and will not fade at the end of the evening.

Which flower is best for a boutonniere?

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.

Photos of beautiful wedding boutonnieres for the groom

Unlike women's, a boring men's wardrobe cannot boast of much variety. But for such an important occasion as their own wedding, grooms must take care of accessories. The main detail of a man’s suit is the boutonniere, which can be made using fresh or artificial flowers. If you wish, you can choose more original jewelry. Below you will find a large selection of beautiful and extraordinary boutonnieres.

How to wear a boutonniere correctly?

At a wedding there are many traditions that everyone carries out with pleasure, because they don’t want any troubles; the groom’s accessory has its own traditions and beliefs.

1. You need to fasten the boutonniere on the left side, where the heart is located.
2. The bouquet should be secured with a safety pin so that none of the guests can jinx the couple. Important - none of the guests should see the pin.
3. You cannot give away your wedding decorations to anyone; upon handing over, at the end of the evening, the young guy should replace his bouquet with a second one purchased in advance, so that happiness and love does not leave the family, it must be kept throughout the entire life together.

How and when does the groom wear a boutonniere?

In almost all cases, the bride puts the boutonniere on the groom after the ransom has passed. The young man gives a bouquet, and the girl attaches a flower to her jacket as a sign of love. You can add a little variety to this ancient tradition that came to us from Rome. Place a boutonniere in the bride's bouquet so that she can give her future husband a flower from her own bouquet, as was done in the past.

The boutonniere should be attached to the left lapel of the groom's jacket or suit pocket. If you decide to order such accessories for guests, there is one nuance - married men attach flowers on the right, and single men on the left. When choosing not a standard, but a slightly curved boutonniere, you need to attach it with a safety pin to the pocket and carefully drape the tail so that it is not visible.

If you prefer the classic version, then you need to attach the flowers in the pocket area, and place the tip (along with the capsule) in the pocket, but so that it does not stand out too much. The hairpin will support the boutonniere and it will not fall. Sometimes this accessory is attached to a thin fabric (for example, a shirt), then the tail of the flower is placed in a pocket, and the pin is fastened from the inside, closer to the body.

Boutonniere on the bride's hand

Previously, compositions were attached only to men, but from the 20th century they began to decorate the hands of ladies.

The bouquet should not overload the girl’s hand and emphasize the style of the wedding. It should include one large flower or several small ones.

Combinations of flowers, ribbons and greenery will emphasize the elegance and individuality of the girl.

You can also purchase masterpieces made from polymer clay for the newlywed’s hand, which will look no worse than a living bouquet.

And compositions made from ribbons will look no less elegant on the hand, and during the wedding their appearance will not deteriorate, and the bride will also have an accessory as a keepsake.

Master class on creating a boutonniere with your own hands

If you decide to make your own boutonniere, you will need the following materials:

• greens of rhipsalis, davallia;
• flower (white rose);
• tape (green, white);
• floral wire (at least 7 mm);
• pin holder;
• glue (only for fresh flowers);
• decorative insert;
• knife;
• wire cutters;
• decorative wire;
• corsage pin.

You need to work according to the following scheme:

1. To keep the rose fresh longer, we cut it at an angle (leave it to the length we need - at least 10 mm), then put it in water for a couple of hours.
2. We treat the edge of the flower with floral glue. Here you can use another method. Soak a small piece of cotton wool in water and attach it to the stem with green tape.

3. We take the floral wire, use wire cutters to divide it into two, pierce the stem of the flower (crosswise), and bend the wire. If you use this fastening method, the flower will not wobble.

4. Carefully bend the wire along the stem line.
5. We take the wire again and divide it into 4 equal parts. We bend the end of one into a hook shape.

6. We plant greens on it and carefully secure it with tape.

7. As a result, you will have a beautiful boutonniere with a white rose. Using this principle, you can create an accessory for the groom using any colors, adding a variety of decorative elements.

Video: how to make a boutonniere from satin ribbons?

You don't want to order a standard wedding boutonniere from a florist, but want to make it yourself? To create a real work of art yourself using satin ribbons, watch the video below, which explains and shows in detail how this is done.