Buttonhole Etiquette: Who gets what?

If there’s a message we want to hammer home even more this year it’s that flowers are for fellas too. Not that a buttonhole can have a gender preference, but these pretty mini arrangements are usually used for the boys to smarten up their suits. If you’re planning to include some of these little beauties at your wedding then you might be confused about buttonhole etiquette. We. Hear. You. It can be a little unclear who should get one and who shouldn’t. In the name of *doing* you, anyone can of course have a buttonhole, but below we’ve shared who traditionally receives one. The unconventional bit can then be left up to you if you decide to be a mini rebel and break the wedding rules.

Who gets a buttonhole at a wedding?

If there’s a groom or grooms at your wedding, then they typically are first in line for a buttonhole. Following that the best man, any ushers, page boys and fathers of the bride and groom who are in attendance typically receive one. After that it’s anyone’s game. Would you like you brother to have one? Or maybe your close friends, cousins or your dog (joking, dogs don’t wear jackets silly, but they do wear floral collars fabulously well)? If there are mums, step-mums, godmothers, grandmothers or aunties to consider, you can give them a corsage or a buttonhole too, to make them feel special and included in your plans for the big day.

How to attach a buttonhole

We usually attach buttonholes when we drop them off, but if we’re leaving them at the venue or the boys aren’t ready by the time we see them, we always leave instructions for how to best secure them to jackets. Your buttonhole will be delivered with two pins (just in case!) but you should only need one. Take your pin and push it through a small piece of fabric on your lapel, near or beside your buttonhole. You want to just skim the fabric so that the pin is in securely but most of the length of it is still free, then slide your buttonhole – with flowers facing forward – onto the pin about two third of the way up the stems. You want the main bulk of the weight supported on the pin, so it doesn’t flop forward. Finally, you nick another piece of your lapel with the end of the pin, leaving it facing out the way. You’re essentially wiggling your pin through your fabric, then the buttonhole, and then the fabric again. Much easier than we’ve made it sound, we promise.

Image: Tub of Jelly

Buttonhole styles

There are a few different styles when it comes to buttonholes. We favour the rustic, old fashioned way which sees a mini bunch grouped together and tied up with a little twine or a flourish of hand-dyed silk ribbon. Alternatively, some florists tape and wire theirs to make them last longer, this gives a more traditional look. When it comes to our technique all styles are possible, we can do all greenery bunches, textural arrangements of seedpods and grasses, classic Scottish serves of roses and thistles or anything else you can dream of. We keep our buttonholes cool and hydrated in a chilled, damp environment right up until they’re dropped off to you, so you know they’re going to be super fresh and withstand a whole lot of hugging.

How much do buttonholes cost?

Good question, we’re always keen to be open and honest about pricing because there’s nothing more infuriating than trying to keep to a budget when everyone is keeping prices a secret. Our buttonholes start from £9 and go up from there, depending on what flowers are required.

We love working to new, creative briefs and interpreting a feeling or vibe our clients want to bring to their wedding. If you’re getting hitched and would like to chat flowers, please do get in touch.