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Episode 120: Francoise Weeks                                

Botanical Brouhaha Expert Discussion Panel: No. 102

Question:

My boutonnieres always seem a little top heavy and tend to shift once pinned. I hate seeing that in the pictures! How do you secure your boutonnieres?  Do you have any suggestions for making sure they lay correctly and stay in place throughout the event?

Jo Flowers | Taylor & Porter

Jo Flowers | Taylor & Porter

Botanical Brouhaha Expert Panel 102:

I tend to use fairly light, delicate ingredients for my buttonholes and, therefore, don’t have this problem.  I always supply 2 pins per buttonhole. If I were using heavier materials I might use a magnetic button & pins for extra support. A little help in attaching them on the day is also often required for the men.

Jo Rodwell (Jo Flowers)

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I tend to use smaller blooms for boutonnieres, leaning more towards clusters of spray roses, ranunculus, nigella, etc. which are all pretty lightweight, petite blooms. You may want to check that your stems are long enough (I think I cut mine around 2″ long) so there is balance to the boutonnieres. I use one pin starting and ending in the back of the lapel so it is hidden. It sometimes helps to pin at a downward angle to create more stability too. Good luck!

Beth Zemetis (Blush Floral Design)

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I use magnets for my boutonnieres and occasionally have the same problem. I opt to make my boutonnieres smaller and lighter in order to avoid them shifting. I also coach the groomsmen and photographer to watch out for it and adjust the boutonnieres when necessary. Hope that helps!

Clare Day (Clare Day Flowers)

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We use long corsage pins to secure boutonnieres. We pin across/perpendicular to the stems of the bout. It is common practice to pin up the stems from the bottom so you can hid the pin, but I find that just creates a pivot point for the bout to swing around on. If you pin across the stems, that keeps it much more secure.

Jennie Love (Love ‘n Fresh Flowers)

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I am sure everyone knows to have 2 pins for boutonnieres…

Hitomi Gilliam (Design358)

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Florésie

Here in Europe we use boutonniere clips that are specifically designed for floral boutonnieres. Here is a picture of it. You can find a full DIY about how to use them (click here). The tutorial is in French but I guess the pictures speak by themselves. That clip is really secure and I never had a problem with it… Not sure if you can find these overseas, but they are so light that you might be able to get them shipped from Europe without high shipment costs. Search for them on Google using “boutonniere clip”.

Laetitia Mayor (Floresie)

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There are a few things I do to prevent floppy or top-heavy boutonnieres. First, I choose focal flowers that lay well such as ranunculus, blushing bride protea, strawflowers, small ball dahlias, gomphrena, spray roses, and succulents. I’d say small, tight ranunculus are my favorite focal flower to use because they are flat-faced and low profile and can survive the high volume of hugs that  one can expect at weddings. I avoid top-heavy or bulky flowers such as standard roses. I also often make boutonnieres with small groupings of herbs, berries, and interesting greenery. By choosing lighter materials, you have a better chance that the boutonniere will lay flat during the event. To pin the boutonniere, I use the longer pearl-tipped corsage pins instead of standard boutonniere pins. To secure, I press the boutonniere in place on the lapel, flip the lapel over, and approaching from the top ( my ) right corner of the back of the lapel, sink my pin into the lapel fabric, through the body of the boutonniere, and back into the lapel- making sure the tip of the pin is safely tucked within the fabric. By approaching from the top down, the boutonniere will be tightly locked in place. For heavier boutonnieres, I repeat with a second pin. Always ask what the gentlemen are wearing! Once in a great while, I’ll have a bridal party that isn’t wearing jackets or suspenders – just dress shirts…therefore, no good place to pin! If this is the case, and they insist on boutonnieres, I’d recommend using magnets to secure.

Susan McLeary (Passionflower)

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We do not seem to have this problem so I am not sure if I can help. We wire our main stem – so like the first spray rose or ranunculus – which gives the bout a strong spine. Everything else layers on top of that. We do use floral glue as well. We make sure our taping begins right under the head of the core flower head. The higher up the tape the more likely the bout will be pinned right under the flower and high up. We also do not make the stems super long. Hope that helps!!

Holly Chapple (Holly Heider Chapple Flowers)

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A properly secured pink rose boutonniere on the Botanical Brouhaha Expert Panel 102

Boutonniere advice on Botanical Brouhaha Expert Panel 102

I always place the boutonniere onto the lapel and then turn the lapel over and pin on the back side. One pin up high and thru the back of the flower and one pin lower to hold the base of the boutonniere in place.

Alicia Schwede (Bella Fiori)


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