Tied Style Buttonholes

Some grooms love them, some grooms hate them and some grooms don’t even know what a buttonhole is! Not so long ago buttonholes were rather poor things. Sad looking creations, usually made with carnations and fern, and wrapped with tin foil. What had once been part of every well dressed man’s attire had become dull and uninteresting. Fortunately the good times have returned and the buttonhole has made a real comeback, and there is now a trend for tied style buttonholes. This means that all the components are tied together like a miniature bouquet, with the ends of their stems left showing.

Beware of Wilting

Although hugely popular, I would add a word of caution if you are considering this style. The traditional way of making a buttonhole is to wire and tape the stems to seal them. This prevents the flowers wilting and seals in moisture. Tied style buttonholes have no such protection, so delicate flowers with soft stems and thin leaves can wilt very quickly. A hot summer day can be very cruel to a buttonhole! It’s best to leave them in a little glass of water until the last minute and then, just before leaving for the wedding, drying the ends of and pinning them to the suits.

Use Long Lasting Flowers and Foliage

If you do want a tied style, my advice is to choose long lasting flowers and foliage with strong woody stems. Herbs like rosemary work well (and smell good too), and pods, berries and even miniature succulent plants make great tied style buttonholes.

Flowers such as bright yellow Craspedia (know as Billy Balls/Buttons in the US) are a fun alternative to traditional flowers like roses or carnations, and last for ages.

Choose something that suits your personality and your suit. Make a style statement that you are comfortable with, and don’t be afraid to choose colour. After all, it’s your day too.