How To Make a Boutonnière

Gentlemen wear boutonnières for elegant evening affairs, formal dinners and, of course, weddings. The carnation was traditionally the boutonnière flower of choice.  A boutonnière in a man's lapel is the finishing touch that makes his formal wear stand out. Contemporary boutonnière flowers range from small phalaenopsis orchids to roses or sprigs of baby's breath.  At weddings, the groom, best man and ushers often wear a boutonnière that is identical to the flowers the bride has chosen for her own bouquet.  One other notable occasion when men like to wear a boutonnière is St. Patrick's Day when carnations are tinted in shades of green.

• Making a Boutonnière - Boutonnières are fairly simple to make. All that's needed is green floral tape, floral wire, small sprigs of fern and the flower of choice.  To keep the boutonnière from wilting, purchase a small floral tube with a tiny seal into which about a teaspoon of water and the flowers fit nicely.  These tubes are generally no more than an two and a half inches long and slide easily through the lapel. They keep boutonnière flowers fresh for hours longer, a nice feature especially for wedding ceremonies and receptions. Most florist suppliers carry them at reasonable prices.
• Directions:
  1. Using about two inches of floral wire, secure the fern to the flower, being careful to leave at least two inches of stem. The fern should be arranged behind the flower.  A fern is very delicate, so avoid breaking the stem.
  2. Wind the floral tape around the flower and fern, beginning at the top.  That's all there is to it. 
  3. If a tube is to be used to retain the freshness of the boutonnière, the directions for making a boutonnière varies slightly. In this instance, remove the replaceable cap.  Fill the tube three-quarters full with water.  Replace the cap.  Push the flower and fern through the opening in the top so that they fit tightly against the rim of the opening.  This will prevent the water from escaping. Beginning at the top of the boutonnière, wind floral tape around the entire length of the tube.  With either method for making a boutonnière, the floral tape will be obscured from sight after it is slipped through the lapel.
• Decorative Tips for Making A Boutonnière - Most white flowers can be tinted with a simple bath of food coloring and water. Instead of fern as a contrast, try dark green leaves or ringlets of blue Forget-Me-Knots.