Okay, real talk: boutonnieres are one of those wedding details that often get treated as an afterthought. Like, you’ve spent months obsessing over the bride’s bouquet, the centerpieces, and the floral arch, and then suddenly it’s two weeks before the wedding and someone goes “wait, what are the guys wearing?”
She’s been there. And honestly? Boutonnieres deserve better. They’re the one piece of floral artistry the groom and groomsmen get to wear, and when done right, they can absolutely elevate the whole look.
Whether you’re planning a black-tie affair, a backyard boho wedding, or something totally unconventional, there’s a boutonniere style that’ll work. Let’s dive into some ideas that go way beyond the basic rose-and-baby’s-breath situation.
Classic Florals (But Make Them Interesting)
Single Statement Bloom Sometimes one perfect flower is all you need. A garden rose, a ranunculus, or a dahlia on its own looks incredibly sophisticated. No filler, no fuss – just one stunning bloom with some greenery.
Wildflower Cluster Grab a mix of delicate wildflowers in complementary colors and bind them together loosely. It’s got that effortless, just-picked-from-a-meadow vibe that works perfectly for outdoor or rustic weddings.
Monochromatic Magic Pick one color and run with it. All-white boutonnieres are timelessly elegant, while all-burgundy or all-blush creates this really cohesive, intentional look.
Succulent Centerpiece A small succulent as the focal point with some wispy greenery around it is super trendy right now. Plus, the groom can literally plant it afterward as a keepsake, which is kind of sweet.
Texture Play
Dried Flowers & Grasses Pampas grass, dried lavender, or preserved florals create this amazing bohemian aesthetic. They’re also practical – you can make them way in advance and they won’t wilt.
Feather Accents Add a pheasant feather or peacock feather for a touch of whimsy and movement. It works especially well for vintage or art deco-themed weddings.
Cotton & Wheat For fall or rustic weddings, cotton bolls and wheat stalks create such a beautiful, organic texture. Very farmhouse-chic.
Berries & Seed Pods Hypericum berries, privet berries, or interesting seed pods add unexpected pops of color and dimension. They photograph really well too.
Seasonal Vibes
Spring Fresh Think tulips, lily of the valley, sweet peas, or cherry blossoms. Light, airy, and full of that new-beginning energy.
Summer Bright Sunflowers, zinnias, dahlias, or billy balls in vibrant colors. Don’t be afraid to go bold – summer weddings can handle it.
Fall Cozy Chrysanthemums, marigolds, fall foliage, or even small branches with changing leaves. Deep oranges, burgundies, and golds are your friends here.
Winter Elegant White roses, pine sprigs, eucalyptus with a dusting of metallic spray, or even faux snow-dusted berries. Add a tiny pinecone for extra winter wonderland vibes.
Non-Floral Alternatives
Herb Bundles Rosemary, lavender, sage, or thyme tied together with twine. They smell amazing and have this rustic, Mediterranean garden feel.
Fabric Flowers Handmade fabric or felt flowers last forever and can match the wedding colors perfectly. Bonus: they’re great keepsakes.
Paper Creations Origami flowers, book page roses, or sheet music flowers for music-loving couples. Super unique and totally customizable.
Brooch Boutonnieres Use a vintage brooch or a family heirloom pin as the boutonniere itself. Incredibly meaningful and works beautifully for vintage-themed weddings.
Greenery Only
Eucalyptus Elegance Silver dollar eucalyptus or seeded eucalyptus arranged simply is so clean and modern. It works with literally any color palette.
Fern & Forest Delicate fern fronds, moss, or small pieces of cedar create this woodland, earthy aesthetic that’s really popular right now.
Olive Branch A small olive branch sprig is simple, meaningful (hello, peace and prosperity symbolism), and looks effortlessly Mediterranean.
Ivy Accent Trailing ivy adds movement and a romantic, garden-party feel. It photographs beautifully and feels very whimsical.
Themed & Personalized
Beach Wedding Incorporate small shells, starfish, or sea grass along with coastal flowers like sea lavender or beach roses. Wrap with rope or jute instead of ribbon.
Garden Party Mix English garden roses with sweet peas, jasmine, or honeysuckle. Very romantic and fragrant.
Modern Minimalist A single calla lily or anthurium with one or two leaves. Clean lines, no fuss, maximum impact.
Vintage Romance Dusty miller, ranunculus, and spray roses in muted colors wrapped with lace or velvet ribbon. Add a small vintage button for extra detail.
Rustic Charm Burlap wrap, twine ties, and flowers like scabiosa, thistle, or Queen Anne’s lace. Maybe add a small wooden tag with initials.
Color Coordination Strategies
Match the Bridesmaids Pull a flower or color from the bridesmaid bouquets so everything feels cohesive in photos.
Complement the Bride Use a smaller version of a bloom from the bridal bouquet. It creates this beautiful visual connection.
Contrast the Suit A navy suit with a peach boutonniere, a gray suit with burgundy flowers – the contrast makes both elements pop.
Monochrome Moment Match the boutonniere to the suit color. All-white on white, or deep burgundy on a burgundy suit. It’s bold and editorial.
Wrapping & Finishing Touches
Ribbon Varieties Silk ribbon looks luxe, burlap feels rustic, velvet is romantic, leather cord is modern. The wrap matters more than you’d think.
Personalized Pins Use custom pins with the wedding date, initials, or a meaningful symbol instead of a standard corsage pin.
Charm Additions Tiny photo charms, small lockets, or meaningful trinkets attached to the stem add a personal touch.
Wrapped Stems Whether it’s exposed stems wrapped in ribbon, fully covered stems, or stems wrapped in lace – the finish should match the overall wedding aesthetic.
Mix & Match Strategy
Here’s a fun approach: don’t make all the boutonnieres identical.
Groom’s Signature Give the groom something slightly different or more elaborate than the groomsmen. Maybe an extra bloom, a different color, or a special accent.
Groomsmen Variations Same color palette and general vibe, but each groomsman gets a slightly different flower combination. It looks intentional and interesting in photos.
Honor Different Roles Father of the bride, father of the groom, grandfathers, and officiant could each have their own subtle variation to distinguish them.
Practical Considerations
Size Matters The boutonniere should be proportional to the person wearing it. Bigger guys can handle larger boutonnieres, while smaller frames need more delicate pieces.
Pin Placement Left lapel, about where a pocket square would sit. Make sure it’s secure – nobody wants their boutonniere sliding down during photos.
Timing Most fresh flower boutonnieres should be made the day before or morning of. If you’re DIYing, factor this into your timeline.
Refrigeration Keep them in the fridge (away from fruit, which releases ethylene gas) until it’s time to pin them on. Mist lightly if they start to look dry.
Backup Plan Always have one or two extras made. Someone will inevitably drop theirs, or a flower will get crushed, or a last-minute groomsman will appear.
DIY Tips
If you’re making these yourself (and honestly, boutonnieres are one of the easier DIY floral projects):
Keep it simple. Three to five elements total is plenty – one focal flower, some filler, and greenery.
Use floral tape. Wrap stems together tightly with floral tape before adding your ribbon or other wrap. It keeps everything secure.
Wire delicate stems. If you’re using flowers with weak stems, thread floral wire through them for support.
Pre-make what you can. If using dried flowers or non-perishables, you can make these weeks in advance.
Practice first. Make a test boutonniere or two before the wedding weekend. You’ll figure out what works and what doesn’t.
Budget-Friendly Options
Grocery store flowers. Seriously, you can make beautiful boutonnieres from Trader Joe’s or your local grocery store for a fraction of the cost.
Grow your own. If you’re planning ahead, plant some of your boutonniere elements in your garden.
Single stem only. One beautiful flower with minimal greenery keeps costs down while still looking intentional.
Seasonal and local. Whatever’s in season in your area will always be cheaper than imported blooms.
The truth is, boutonnieres are small but mighty. They show up in so many photos – the getting-ready shots, the ceremony, the portraits, the reception. Getting them right adds this layer of polish and intentionality to the whole look.
And the best part? Unlike most wedding flowers that get left behind at the venue, boutonnieres can be pressed and saved, turned into resin keepsakes, or even composted in your garden as a sweet full-circle moment.
What’s your boutonniere style? Are you team classic rose or ready to try something totally different?