All about Boutonniere

Boutonniere (fr. boutonnière) is one or more flowers in the buttonhole, accessory of man’s suite. Wedding boutonnieres is not just a nice thing. It provides wedding completeness and supports necessary due to the general style shades and colors. So do not retract from this small but so nice decoration, because it will serve as a symbol of your wedding.

At the beginning of the XIX century boutonniere was the hallmark of elegant dandies. For example, Oscar Wilde never appears in public without flower in his buttonhole. Nowadays boutonniere occurs in festive costume (weddings, dancing balls).

Previously, as decorations used only one flower, sometimes it is decorated with a variety of herbs; now boutonniere is a whole flower arrangement, which may be supplemented by a variety of small things: beads, mesh, twigs or even berries. Custom of buttonholes application at the wedding comes from the time of ancient Rome, where the bride, as a token of love, fastened the flower form her bouquet on groom cloth. Later, the Slavs brides made a wreath for their judgments.

Boutonniere for the bridegroom
On the day of the wedding boutonniere is a mandatory attribute for the groom. Boutonniere is not necessarily consisting of a single flower; it could be a whole floristic composition. Wedding boutonniere can be contrasting or complementary to the colors of groom`s suit. Additionally, you can choose the boutonniere, which will reflect the flowers in the bride’s bouquet. Special elegance of will be added by boutonniere with natural flowers.

To fasten the boutonniere to suit it is used special magnet or pin inserted into the eyelet in dress (a classic version in a special suit buttonhole on the lapel of his jacket). Typically, boutonniere is attached to the left lapel of his jacket. There is also an unwritten rule that unmarried men and unmarried women attach buttonhole on the left side outfits, and married – at the right. However, this rule is not always observed.

The bride gives bridegroom boutonniere as s sign of love. It is gesture-based answer to give bouquet. Usually the bride attaches after “wife purchasing”. The groom gives her bouquet, and she assigns him a flower. This ceremony can be done by placing a boutonniere in bride`s bouquet, so as in ancient times, she presented for the future husband the flower from her bridal bouquet. Traditionally boutonniere should remain in the house as a family heirloom.

Bridesmaids, in its turn, decorate with special attire boutonnieres friendships, parents of groom and bride, family and a bit more modest accessories – clothes of all the rest guests. Often this boutonniere also remains as a symbol and talisman of love.
There is a tradition by which bride dress should be adorned by boutonniere. Bride`s boutonniere is attached to the corset through the neck (from the side, center) or even on the skirt.

Boutonniere bridesmaids and groomsman
By the way, choosing a bridegroom buttonhole, do not forget to order a boutonniere for the best man! Such boutonnieres can repeat the line the groom’s boutonniere. The best men are supposed to wear on the left lapel or pocket suit. Bridesmaids attach boutonniere on the dress or handbag. Especially popular are the boutonnieres on hand, such an option is suitable for both the bride and bridesmaids.

Boutonniere for wedding guests
You can also purchase boutonnieres for the guests. Thus you will emphasize their importance at the wedding. But here are bought simple and modest boutonnieres.
Guests can strengthen boutonnieres as they like: ladies – on handbag, dresses, hats, men – on jacket lapel or to put in his pocket. But generally guests who married attach buttonhole on the right side of dress, partnerless – on the left side.

Type of boutonnieres
In the Middle Ages boutonnieres did with their hands, or rather, the hands of the servants. Minimalism was the privilege of the nobility. Flowers were placed in tiny vessels with water. They were designed specifically for buttonholes and were fitted with pins. These pins fastened the tube to clothing. The proximity of water allows plants to stay fresh longer.

To modern boutonnieres vessels are not included. The question how to make a boutonniere durable answer florists. It is recommended to put the flowers in water for 3-4 hours. After the bath, the plants remain fresh without feeding at least a day. The composition also wraps in plastic wrap and put into the fridge. This saves boutonnieres made in advance. To be sure, florists dip obliquely truncated stems of flowers in stearin or wax.

There is no official classification for boutonniere. Their shape can be arbitrary at the discretion of the customer and based on the master’s imagination. However, there is classification into natural and unnatural instances. So, I suggest boutonnieres can be made not only from flowers, but from paper, fabric, beads. These decorative materials are put in the buds, which don’t have to run water and place in the fridge. Artificial accessories and so will not wither. Moreover, the same boutonniere from the original tapes, emphasizes the originality of the person.

The median option – dried flowers. This is inflorescence of living plants, but dried. After this procedure, some representatives of the flora are able to retain aesthetic appeal, not to change the appearance. Main disadvantage it is limited selection. The dried flowers are units of colors.

Natural flowers have historically been the only material for boutonnieres. Now natural roses, lilies, orchids appeared rivals. However, the leading positions are still living arrangements. Most often boutonnieres used at weddings.

Flowers for boutonnieres
During the French revolution boutonniere was chosen as the symbol of resistance. Such accessory worn by the nobility, going to the scaffold. For the bloody events chose a carnation. Other boutonnieres are not used. Knowing this, and keeping in mind the popularity of carnations in Soviet times, now they are rarely used. According to the language of flowers, carnation means admiration, but historical events overshadow this value.
The wedding boutonnieres are most often performed of roses – symbol of love and passion.

Values are wedding flowers are the following:
Aster – the sign of elegance and love
Everlasting flower – constancy, eternity
White hyacinth – loveliness and the message “I’ll be praying for you”
Jasmine – modesty, shyness, adolescence

Calla – divine beauty
Gillyflower – bonds of love, happy Union
Almond – fertility, virginity
Myrtle – fun and love
Forget-me-not – faithful love
Mistletoe – affection of hearts
Peony – health and a happy marriage

Lilac – the only or first love
Lily – wealth, prosperity
Marguerite – truth and love

The language of flowers is known a few people, but wedding boutonnieres, as usual, they are interested in. The secret knowledge of the value of its compositions allows newlyweds to feel all the magic of the wedding ritual.

Here you will find photos of boutonnieres for bride, groom, bridesmaids and groomsman and guests.