Buttonhole Flowers

Buttonholes are one of those wedding details nobody thinks about until the morning of the big day, when someone realises there’s a box of flowers, a handful of pins and six blokes in suits with no idea what to do with either. As best man, that someone is usually you. Here’s what you need to know.

Who wears a buttonhole?

Traditionally it’s the groom, the best man, the ushers and both fathers. Plenty of couples add grandfathers, brothers and page boys too, while the mothers and grandmothers often get a corsage instead. Every wedding is different, so get the final list from the couple before the florist does the order.

Matching the flowers

Buttonholes usually echo the flowers in the bride’s bouquet, so they tie the wedding party together in the photos. The groom’s is often slightly different, a bigger bloom or an extra sprig of something, so he stands out from the crowd. The best man and ushers normally match each other.

Fresh, artificial or something different

Fresh flowers from the florist look the part, but they’re delicate and start to wilt as the day wears on. Artificial silk buttonholes have come a long way: they look convincing, can be ordered in advance and survive the dance floor. Then there are felt, wooden and fabric buttonholes, or a lapel pin instead of a flower, all of which make a keepsake that lasts long after the wedding.

How to pin a buttonhole

1. It goes on the left lapel, over the heart.
2. If the jacket has a working buttonhole on the lapel, slide the stem through it from the front, then pin it in place from behind so it doesn’t droop.
3. If not, hold the flower in place with the stem pointing down, then push the pin through the lapel from behind, through the stem and back into the lapel, so the point is hidden.
4. Heavier buttonholes may need a second pin. For hired suits, a magnetic holder avoids pin holes altogether.

The best man’s buttonhole job

On the morning, it’s often down to you to collect the buttonholes from the florist or the venue and hand them out. Keep them cool and out of direct sunlight until they’re needed, make sure everyone has theirs on before the photographer starts, and pin the groom’s first. Keep a few spare pins in your pocket. Someone always loses one. For the rest of the morning’s jobs, see our best man checklist.

Who pays for the buttonholes?

Traditionally the groom pays for the buttonholes, along with the bride’s and bridesmaids’ flowers. These days most couples simply add them to the florist’s bill, so it’s rarely something the best man needs to worry about.

Sorting out the rest of the outfit? See our guides to best man suits, the lounge suit dress code and best man cufflinks.