Hands up who thinks that when it comes to wedding flowers the girls get all the attention! On the big day the bride and her bouquet take centre stage, but what about the groom? This is after all just as much his day, so why shouldn’t he have something floral that makes him stand out from the crowd?
I love to see a groom accessorise his outfit and express his personality in the way he dresses. A dapper groom should complement his suit with perfectly polished shoes, an elegant watch, stylish jewellery and a striking, quirky buttonhole.
The days when the only option for buttonholes was either a rose or a carnation are long gone. Today’s snappy dresser wants to make his style statement with an eye-catching addition to his lapel, using quirky flowers, foliage and even plant material.
There are no hard and fast rules about what you can and can’t use for your buttonhole, but these tips will help you make the right choices.
Consider the Weight of the Buttonhole
We’ve all seen them — buttonholes which are too heavy for the suit. Top-heavy roses that droop at funny angles or just won’t stay put.
Think about the weight of the suit fabric and choose accordingly. For summer weight fabrics, choose flowers and foliage that are light enough to stay in place when pinned and won’t drag your lapel out of shape. Thicker, winter weight fabrics are more robust and can take heavier creations.
In either case, I like to supply my buttonholes with two pins for fixing, just for added security.
Be Seasonal
Something to bear in mind when choosing your buttonhole is the time of year. For autumn and winter weddings I like to make the most of what’s in season.
Seed heads, pods, berries and foliage look fantastic when combined on a lapel. If you’re getting married in the warmer months then bear in mind that delicate soft stemmed flowers can wilt if they’re not wired and taped properly. Taping the stems seals in moisture and helps them to last longer. I would suggest avoiding tied style buttonholes unless you’re using robust flowers and plant material.
Choosing Buttonhole Colours
Don’t be afraid to express your personality through the use of colour in your buttonholes. I’m often asked to make the groom’s buttonhole a bit different so that he stands out, but why not make them all different?
Mixing things up is a great way to have fun with your buttonholes and do things a little differently. It also makes people smile (I’ve seen it happen), and that is always a good thing!
Guest post by Simon Nickell
Images from…
Large Buttonhole by Foxgloves and Roses: Matthew Bishop Photography
Dahlia, Sedum, Rosehip, Eryngium, Rosemary and Dahlia Buttonholes: Simon Nickell Design
Colourful Buttonholes: Tom Leishman of Picture My Love
