Buttonholes

Image by Gertrude & Mabel via Jennifer and James

Are you planning to wear a buttonhole? While most grooms and groomsmen wear buttonholes, it’s becoming a subtle trend for them to not wear buttonholes, which is a little bit disappointing because buttonholes are symbol of sharing; it’s said that it began when a gentle proposed by giving a lady a bouquet of flowers, then the lady inserted 1 flower in the gentleman’s buttonhole as a sign of saying “yes”. It was also worn to keep the evil sprits away on the wedding day – not that we have to worry about that now!

It is beautiful to wear a buttonhole, a finishing touch to all the hard work done to get ready for the special day. Traditionally, grooms wore a carnation in the buttonhole on the lapel, but of course you don’t have to stick to the tradition. Buttonholes are usually made up of flower(s) and greenery that is used in the bride’s bouquet. For example, if the bride is holding a rose bouquet, naturally, you would have a rose buttonhole. This way, it symbolizes sharing between the bride and the groom. However, you if you want something else, that is completely up to you. You only get to wear a buttonhole so many times in your lifetime, so why not make it worthwhile!

Choosing the design

As I mentioned, normally, a buttonhole is made of a flower that’s in the birdal bouquet. Or, you may want to wear a flower that matches the wedding colour scheme. Whatever you choose, it’s best to keep it within the theme/design so there is some form of uniformity.

There is also the choice between “natural stem” and “wired” stems of the buttonhole. Here are some examples of “natural stem” buttonholes that are becoming quite popular. The pros of them are that you can take it off and soak it in water if you are worried about them losing water especially on a very hot day. They are perfect for casual style weddings.

Images from Sugar Bee Flowers

These are these wired style buttonholes. These are the more traditional type, and the pros of them are that they look nice and neat, and you won’t have to worry about them drooping during your wedding. Some good florists wrap a wet cotton wool (many don’t, so if you are worried do ask them to do this) around the stem of the flower so they have water to drink. Whether you have smaller flowers, berries and/or greenery in your buttonhole is also completely up to you. If you like something simple, stick to 1 leaf and 1 flower. If you like something that is more elaborate, you can have a smaller flower, berries and greenery. Just keep in mind, it looks more balanced if you use materials that are different size; i.e. large focal flower + little flower, focal flower + small berries, etc..

Images from Sugar Bee Flowers

How to wear your buttonhole

Buttonholes are worn above your heart – your left hand side. Some may find this confusing, but you don’t insert the buttonhole into the button hole on the lapel. Your florist will provide you with a corsage pin which you use to attach it. First, you hold the buttonhole onto where you want to attach it (not too high, not too low), then you use the corsage pin to pin from the back of the lapel (so that the pearl is invisible from the front) then you weave the pin above and over the stem of the buttonhole, then back into the fabric. This should secure the buttonhole well. Remember to pin it closer to the flower so that it doesn’t tip over with the weight.

Photo by Deep Grey Wedding Photography

Buttonhole care

As a florist, I get worried about the buttonholes because they are so fragile yet they are exposed to all the light, wind, hugging, moving around and dancing on a wedding day! Of course you can’t avoid these because they are essential to a beautiful wedding. However, there are some tips to help them get less damaged.

After you receive your buttonhole, keep them in the fridge. To avoid them getting too cold, it’s best to wrap them in soft tissue paper if it isn’t already, and keep them in the veggie compartment of the fridge – try to keep fruits away from here as they encourage maturing.
If you are having the natural stem buttonholes, put it in water until you wear it. Remember to wipe off any excess water before you wear it so you don’t get your suit wet.
Wear the buttonhole just before you go.
If you can, try not to stand in the sun for too long especially on a hot day (I know it’s not so doable, but it helps!) and try to avoid physical contact where the buttonhole is (again, I know this is not so doable on a wedding day, but it does help).

Good luck with choosing your buttonhole!