Best Boutonniere Designs and Ideas
By Magen Roccaforte 
, Tuesday, January 03, 2012 7:05 AM
Whether you are a classic, traditional groom wearing a formal tuxedo, or a fun, laid-back groom wearing a more offbeat outfit, one of the most important parts of your groom look is the boutonniere. For those unfamiliar with this traditional piece of men’s formalwear, the boutonniere is a small sprig of flowers or greenery affixed to a man’s lapel. It’s a small touch that can make a big difference in your look, so no matter what kind of groom you are, you want to look into some unique boutonniere designs to make sure you find one that is perfect for you.
Here are a few classic and popular boutonnieres, as well as a couple boutonniere ideas that are more offbeat:
- You can’t go wrong with a single flower that matches the bride’s bouquet. The florist can create a small but significant boutonniere that coordinates with the bride by using a single accent flower that matches her bouquet. This is most groom’s favorite boutonniere design.
- For a seasonal motif, use a sprig of something that suits the season—holly for the winter, lavender in the spring, or even a couple bright autumn leaves in the fall. Even if the bride takes her look in a different direction, it’s a great way to incorporate the time of year into a timeless look.
- For grooms looking for a more subtle boutonniere idea, consider using a pale green hydrangea. This bloom looks more like a soft spring of greenery, so it is the perfect choice for the groom who is squeamish about wearing anything too floral-looking.
- Consider incorporating some sweet-smelling but sturdy herbs with a few small flowers for a boutonniere with symbolic significance. For example, rosemary is said to represent love, remembrance and fidelity, making it the perfect addition to a boutonniere. If you are a chef or a passionate foodie, this boutonniere idea can have a double meaning.
- For a fun playful look that will match your laid-back look or add a burst of fun to a more serious ensemble, choose a single Gerbera daisy in a bright color. These inexpensive flowers are almost cartoonishly simple, making a single bloom a bright and fun choice of a boutonniere.
- If you are having a scaled-back ceremony with no ringbearer, or if you don’t have a relative the appropriate age for the task, consider asking the florist to create a boutonniere that will also serve as a ring carrier. Make sure the wedding rings are securely fastened inside a loop of a leaf or a twist of raffia, and then you will have them on hand when you need them during the ceremony.
- If you want your groomsmen to wear boutonnieres too, ask the florist to create smaller, scaled-down versions of your man-bouquet. This is a good choice for a more formal wedding, especially if the groomsmen are wearing tuxedos. However, make sure the boutonnieres for the groomsmen are not too small, which can make them look more like a random sprig of greenery than an intentional design element. If you go with small, flower-less boutonnieres, make sure they have an interesting design element that makes them look unique.
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