Spice things up with these steamy flicks.
Updated Oct 14, 2024How to Put on a Boutonniere (Without Hurting Yourself)
Wondering how to put on a boutonniere? You'll be the one everyone turns to once you read our handy guide.
Photo: Shchus | Shutterstock
A boutonniere is a small flower arrangement that's often pinned to a dress shirt or jacket. It's a nice way to elevate a look and there are many creative ideas for boutonnieres, which is why they're one of our favorite groom accessories. But many to-be-weds don't know how to put on a boutonniere.
It's crucial to properly fasten a wedding boutonniere: both for safety and to prevent it from sagging, falling off or looking sloppy in wedding photos. That's why we're bringing you this guide on how to pin a boutonniere, whether you're attaching it to a jacket, a shirt or something else entirely.
In this article:
How to Put on a Boutonniere
Fastening a boutonniere properly is essential to ensure it stays in place during your entire event. That's a tall order, considering weddings often involve dancing, hugging others or heck, riding on chairs way up in the air! Not only that, you don't want anyone getting poked, either. That's why we've included instructions on how to pin a boutonniere. Follow these step-by-step guides to ensure these flowers stay photo-ready all night long.
On the Lapel
A boutonniere is traditionally worn on the left lapel of a suit or tuxedo, says Rasmus Christiansen, CEO and co-founder of Pissup Tours, a leading events and party service, specifically for weddings. With this placement, it's pinned through the buttonhole of the left lapel of a suit jacket, secured by a small loop on the back. "This placement highlights its classic, elegant look for formal occasions," Christiansen says. If your lapel doesn't have a buttonhole, but it's a notched or a peak lapel, simply pin the boutonniere to the center of the lapel, directly under the notch. On a jacket with a vest lapel, which more closely resembles a sweater and does not have a notch, simply pin the boutonniere in line with the top of the sleeve. Here's how to put on a boutonniere if your jacket has a lapel.
FEATURED VIDEO FROM THE KNOT
First, arrange the boutonniere so it looks exactly how you'd like it to. This might involve fluffing the blooms a bit, or arranging greenery so it looks even and not lopsided.
Position the boutonniere exactly where you'd like it to sit.
Lift the lapel and push the boutonniere pin through the underside of the lapel.
-
Stick the pin through the underside of the lapel and directly into the thickest part of the flower's stem.
Angling the pin slightly upward (so it sits on a diagonal), push it back through the fabric of the lapel so that both ends of the pin are positioned under the lapel and out of site.
On a Shirt
For a more casual wedding, such as one held on the beach, some might opt to skip the jacket altogether in favor of shirts. Whether it's a crisp white button-down dress shirt or a short-sleeved linen shirt, a boutonniere makes a nice addition. Pin it exactly like you would for a suit jacket, but, Christiansen says, "Make sure the boutonniere isn't too heavy, as a shirt is much thinner than a suit jacket and the boutonniere could cause the shirt to sag." Here's how to pin a boutonniere on a shirt.
Hold the boutonniere where the left breast pocket would be (if there isn't one) to ensure correct positioning.
Remove the boutonniere and set it aside.
Pinch a small section of the fabric together and stick the pin horizontally through this part.
Position the boutonniere next to the pleat you've just made. The pin should rest above the stem of the boutonniere.
On the other side of the stem, repeat step three and pinch a small section of fabric.
Stick the pin through the pleat to secure the boutonniere to the front of the shirt. The end of the pin should be sticking out of the front of the shirt.
In a Pocket
For a modern or more casual twist on where to place a boutonniere, Christiansen suggests popping a boutonniere into a breast pocket. "A boutonniere can be creatively worn in the pocket of a suit jacket, often replacing or complementing a pocket square. When worn in the pocket, the boutonniere is tucked into the breast pocket with just the bloom showing."
For heavier or slightly larger blooms tucked into a pocket, you could pin the boutonniere to the back of the shirt to prevent it from falling out of the pocket (use the steps outlined above). Because you'll need to reach into the pocket to fasten the boutonniere, it might be easier to remove the shirt first, or at least unbutton it to give you more wiggle room to work.
On a Vest
A chic option for menswear today is to skip the jacket and opt for a vest instead. When it comes to pinning a boutonniere, a vest is a bit of a hybrid between a shirt and a lapel. That's because the material is thicker than a shirt, but it doesn't have a notch like a lapel. To pin a boutonniere on a vest, simply follow the instructions above for pinning onto a shirt without a pocket. While the steps are the same when it comes to how to pin a boutonniere, the look is slightly less formal but oh-so-dapper.
On Something Unexpected
Today's couples are routinely stepping outside the lines of tradition when it comes to their nuptials, and adding their own individual tastes and preferences to just about every aspect of their big day. Nathan Thorne, CEO of Handy Flowers tells us of a very unconventional—but equally amazing—boutonniere: "One client had a very small piece of driftwood attached to the brim of a hat, [which served as a rustic boutonniere]. It was just stunning."
What Side Does a Boutonniere Go On?
Traditionally, a boutonniere is worn on the left side. "The left side aligns with the heart, symbolizing love and affection, which is particularly meaningful at events like weddings," Christiansen says. "The left side has also been the standard placement for centuries, rooted in formal etiquette. This convention helps maintain a consistent and elegant appearance. And the left side is typically more visible to others when standing or greeting people, making it a prime location for showcasing the flower."
