29 Unique Wedding Buttonhole Ideas
If you don’t know a single thing about wedding buttonholes, we’re here to help. We've covered everything from who wears them and 29 inspiring ideas!
It’s time to finish off your wedding ensemble with a dash of flower power! Yes, you probably know how to tie a tie like a pro and get suited and booted without any trouble, but there’s a good chance you’ve rarely (or never!) rocked a wedding buttonhole in your life.
In which case, you might be thinking, what even is a wedding buttonhole? Well, also known as a boutonniere, a buttonhole is basically a smaller version of a wedding bouquet.
Don’t worry, they’re not as extravagant as the handheld arrangements - they’re quite modest in size because they rest on the lapel of a jacket or blazer (they can be stuck through a buttonhole - hence the name - or pinned atop the lapel). Typically, they are composed of a single flower or a small collection of flowers and/or decorative accents.
While you don’t need buttonholes, they’re a nice way of differentiating your close wedding party from the rest of your wedding guests. For example, if the groom and groomsmen plan on wearing plain black, grey or blue suits, these accessories will help make the outfits pop and a touch more wedding-worthy, so they’re definitely worth considering.
If you choose to embrace buttonholes for your wedding, the styling options are pretty much endless - from traditional floral arrangements to rustic feathers and novelty ideas (Lego fans, we’re looking at you!!). To make narrowing it down a little easier, we've compiled 29 inspirational buttonhole ideas.
If you're in need of expert advice when it comes to wedding buttonholes, you can hop to our expert guide to help you understand everything you need to know about wedding buttonholes.
29 Wedding Buttonhole Ideas
Now it’s time to get stuck into the inspo - whether you want modern buttonholes for weddings or traditional flower buttonholes!
As our round-up of buttonhole ideas shows, you don’t have to stick solely to flowers. Popular alternative flourishes include greenery, feathers, fabric, and herbs - just about anything can be used to make a wedding buttonhole! So, don’t be afraid to throw the wedding ‘rule book’ out of the window and try something just as unique as you are.
1. Black-Tie Buttonhole
If going for a sophisticated black-tie wedding, keep things slick and simple with a tightly bound white floral design like this beauty by Into The Wild.
- Expert Take: Timeless yet striking a luxe black-tie wedding will forever be one of our favourite wedding looks, with this buttonhole adding the perfect finishing flourish.
- Deals: Into The Wild has a late availability offer for Hitched couples - check out their listing for full details.
2. Spring Flower Buttonholes
Tying in your buttonholes with seasonal blooms is a lovely and simple nod to the time of year at which you wed. For spring, think of the likes of hyacinth, freesia, daffodils and sweetpeas.
- Expert Take: We adore the gorgeous pop of colour of these pretty spring buttonholes by Wild Blossom Florist project.
3. Rose Buttonhole
Roses are a firm favourite for buttonholes - like this gorgeous design by House of Petula - as their romantic yet robust nature means they look the part and can stand up to the job.
- Expert Take: The epitome of love, and we adore rose buttonholes and the elegance of a single stem.
- Deals: This East London-based florist offers Hitched couples a fabulous 5% discount. Click the link for full details.
4. Textured Buttonhole
If colourful flower buttonholes aren’t your thing, create interest with a design made up of different floral and foliage textures, like this one by Florence & Hope Flower Studio.
- Expert Take: A textured buttonhole looks great with a tactile suit fabric like tweed, as seen here!
5. Whimsy Buttonholes
If ‘dreamy whimsy’ is your wedding vibe, buttonhole ideas don’t come more perfect than this heavenly arrangement of mostly white flowers by In Bloom Flowers.
- Expert Take: For whimsical weddings we love to see dainty buttonhole flowers with texture and movement.
6. Scottish Buttonhole
No Scottish wedding is complete without a kilt, a thistle and some tartan, and this beauty by Twisted Willow Florist covers off one of those.
- Expert Take: The pop of lilac adds interest to the soft arrangement and, of course, is a brilliant nod to the national emblem.
7. Matching Flower Crown Wedding Buttonhole
Creating a cohesive theme across your wedding day means making sure all the little details tie together. If you or your partner are wearing a flower crown and you want to match a buttonhole to it, sticking to a similar colour palette for both is a great way to achieve this.
- Expert Take: As far as modern buttonholes for weddings go, this vibrant pink design by Lilia Rose Floral Design has to be one of our favourites!
8. Bold Buttonhole
A bold buttonhole can be a tricky one to master, as you don’t want it to dominate too much. This one by Ash Tree Floral Design nails the brief using one large flower accompanied by structural foliage and colourful blooms for an overall striking look.
- Expert Take: We love the colour contrast between the groom’s paisley tie and the bold blooms in the buttonhole.
9. Peach & Pearl Buttonhole
Buttonholes aren’t just for grooms! If looking for wedding buttonholes for ladies, this peach rose and greenery design by Tulipa Botanica Flowers is a wonderfully elegant option.
- Expert Take: The pearl bead detail on the pin is a lovely touch that gives the design a feminine feel.
- Deals: This fabulous supplier based on the Suffolk-Essex border offers Hitched couples a mega 10% discount. Click the link for details.
10. Bright Wedding Buttonholes
The sky's the limit when it comes to bright buttonholes. You can go as vibrant or subdued as you please. Don't be afraid to clash colours like pink and red or yellow and blue - it can make a beautiful statement piece.
- Expert Take: These designs by Lilac & Barrow Flowers sing with colour and certainly tick boxes for being ‘bright’ and ‘beautiful’ - just divine!
11. Fresh & Dried Flower Buttonholes
The combination of fresh and dried flowers gives buttonholes a modern look and makes them a little more robust for weddings in hotter months of the year.
- Expert Take: We love the contrast in texture between the dried and fresh flowers and could see these pretty arrangements by Olive May Floral Designs working perfectly for a romantic barn wedding.
- Deals: You can get a fabulous 10% discount with this Yorkshire-based florist, just visit their listing and click the deal link!
12. Pretty Wedding Buttonhole
This pretty white buttonhole by Blossom & Threads is a classic choice that would work just as well at a charming country estate as it would at a sophisticated city celebration.
- Expert Take: We love the idea of coordinating the buttonhole with the bride's bouquet but sticking to just one colour in the buttonhole flowers for a classic look.
- Deals: This East-London supplier has an under £1,000 ready-to-wed package available for Hitched couples. Head to their listing to see!
13. Red & Pink Wedding Buttonhole
Red and pink are the colours of romance, making it totally appropriate to wear a wedding button with florals in these loved-up shades. This gorgeous design by Twisted Willow Florist sings with wild romance.
- Expert Take: Depending on the season in which you wed, you can soften the arrangement with greenery and pale buds or keep things dark with berries and purple foliage.
14. Eucalyptus Wedding Buttonhole
A eucalyptus wedding buttonhole is guaranteed to look fresh and smell amazing. Add in some of your key wedding flowers for consistency. This thistle, rose, and eucalyptus mix by Olive May Floral Design works a dream!
- Expert Take: This pretty plant symbolises protection, making it meaningful to wear on your wedding day.
- Deals: Did we mention this Yorkshire-based florist has a great offer for Hitched couples?! Visit their listing for details.
15. Rustic Dried Flower Buttonhole
Swap out fresh flowers for a contemporary dried sprig instead. Even better, opt for natural shades of cream and brown, like this stunner by Bonnie Bunches, for a rustic yet chic feel.
- Expert Take: A dried flower buttonhole is a great idea for summer weddings, as you won’t have to worry about the warm weather potentially wilting your blooms!
16. 1920s Style Buttonhole
Wondering how to add 1920s feels to your wedding attire? When it comes to the men’s buttonholes, this can be done with the addition of an opulent peacock feather, as demonstrated here by Lilia Rose Floral Design.
- Expert Take: We know we’re not meant to have favourites, but this gorgeous design has to be up there, given its incredible textures and rich hues.
17. Faux Pocket Flowers
Another great buttonhole idea for summer celebrations is faux flowers. This pretty pink arrangement by Hutton Faux Flowers has wedding day romance written all over it!
- Expert Take: As mentioned earlier, pocket flowers are a modern alternative to classic buttonholes. They allow for larger arrangements without worrying that they will weigh down lapels as the flowers are secured to a card that sits in suit the top pocket. Clever!
18. Modern Rustic Romance Buttonhole
Are you having a modern rustic wedding but not a fan of big, bold blooms? Then go for lots of delicate flowers and foliage with dreamy textures bound together for an equally romantic look.
- Expert Take: Dainty, rustic, and delightful, this gorgeous buttonhole by Chirpee Flowers perfectly complements the groom’s patterned tie.
19. Wild Summer Wedding Buttonhole
If a wild summer wedding has stolen your heart, think blousy, unstructured blooms with lots of colour and textures for the buttonhole win!
- Expert Take: This coordinating bouquet and buttonhole by Petals & Posies Floral Design fits the brief perfectly and we love how the buttonhole features an orange bloom to match the groom’s checked suit.
- Deals: Keep an eye on this Hampshire-based florist’s listing for Hitched-couple-specific offers.
20. Berry Buttonhole
Using berries as an additional buttonhole flourish is ideal for a country-style wedding day or to create a moodier or more dramatic look.
- Expert Take: This unusual buttonhole by Lunaria Floristry with an almost charred rose would really suit a country festive celebration. Add a sprig of holly to the arrangement for that extra Christmassy nod.
- Deals: Get an exclusive Hitched 5% discount with this Yorkshire-based florist. Click the link for more info.
21. Orange & White Buttonhole
If you’re not having a wedding theme, style your florals and buttonholes around your colour scheme, like this beautiful orange and white arrangement by Upsidedowninaflowerbed.
- Expert Take: We love that the groom has a more elaborate buttonhole design than the groomsmen, standing out with that extra pop of orange.
- Deals: This Derbyshire-based supplier has some great offers for Hitched couples - check them out on their listing.
22. Red Rustic Romance
Not only is red the colour of love, but it also pops beautifully in floral arrangements, especially when teamed with contrasting hues, making it a popular choice in buttonholes.
- Expert Take: We love this romantic, rustic-style buttonhole by Into The Wild, which perfectly complements the bride’s bouquet.
- Deals: Into The Wild has a late availability offer for Hitched couples. Click the link for full details.
23. Dainty Flower Buttonhole
Men's buttonholes don’t have to be big and bold as this sweet design, created using small, delicate florals, shows.
- Expert Take: The pretty, pastel and delicate appearance of this buttonhole by Kaite Olivier Blooms adds a gorgeous softness to this groom’s dapper black tie look.
24. Wedding Buttonholes for Ladies
Pretty wrist corsages, like these gorgeous designs by Blossoms & Berries, are a dream alternative to buttonholes for the ladies in your wedding party to wear, without fear of them damaging their clothing.
- Expert Take: Gorgeous wrist corsages can also provide an attractive alternative to bouquets for your bridesmaids, possibly coming in at a lower price and leaving their hands free for guiding flower girls and page boys down the aisle.
- Deals: This lovely supplier based in South Wales offers Hitched couples a fabulous 10% discount. Click the link for details.
25. Modern Buttonholes for Weddings
Looking for on-trend wedding buttonhole ideas? Try bright, clashing colours like this head-turning design by Hiya Petal, which features bold seasonal blooms bound together with a run of hot pink ribbon.
- Expert Take: We adore everything about this modern groom’s look, from the attention-grabbing buttonhole to his cord-textured suit, disco ball bolo tie and sentimental photo pin.
26. Gothic Buttonhole
Bringing gothic influences into your wedding styling? Then men’s buttonholes don’t come much more fitting than this moody feather and flower creation by Lilia Rose Floral Design.
- Expert Take: When wearing a patterned jacket, the buttonhole can be tricky to stand out, but the bold red rose and height of the feather prevent this design from becoming lost amongst the print. Genius!
27. Mini Buttonholes
If you have pageboys in your wedding party, they won’t want to miss out on the buttonhole action, so be sure to add some mini versions of the adult buttonholes - like this design by Lilac & Barrow Flowers - to your florist order.
- Expert Take: Make your mini wedding party guests feel extra special by giving them a funny or personal sign to carry down the aisle. We love this comical cake-related one on Etsy.
28. Mismatched Buttonholes
If you're planning a relaxed wedding, you might want to avoid overly uniformed floral arrangements, making mismatched flower buttonholes a dream solution.
- Expert Take: How perfect would these bright and beautiful creations by Blossoms & Berries be for a spring/summer wedding?!
- Deals: Did we mention Blossoms & Berries has a fabulous offer for our Hitched couples? Go check it out on their listing.
29. Vintage Buttonhole
Looking to keep it pretty and classic? You can’t go wrong with a romantic combination of pale pink vintage roses, gypsophila, and greenery, like this dreamy design by Upsidedowninaflowerbed.
- Expert Take: Gypsophila is a great choice for buttonholes because of its light, textured nature. Thanks to this, you can create fuller designs without the fear of them weighing down suit lapels.
- Deals: This Derbyshire-based florist offers Hitched couples a fabulous 5% discount. Click the link for full details.
An Expert Guide to Wedding Buttonholes
We’re quizzing two wedding floral experts on all you need to know about buttonholes, whether tasking your wedding florist with your designs or challenging yourself to make DIY wedding buttonholes.
So, prepare to take note as Nicola Waddilove of Petals & Posies Floral Design, based in Hampshire, and Jennifer Hindmoor of Into The Wild, based in South West London, impart their wedding florist knowledge.
Who wears a buttonhole at a wedding?
“Traditionally, those at a wedding who wear buttonholes are the groom(s), best men, ushers, father of the bride, father of the groom, and maybe brothers of the bride or groom,” says Nicola. However, don't worry if your wedding line-up doesn't look like this.
The truth is anyone can wear one if they like! Even if you're not wearing a suit jacket, you can get a buttonhole that's attached with a magnet or a pin (although we always prefer magnets!), or on a square of card to sit in a pocket.
What about wedding buttonholes for ladies?
They absolutely can! However if you have people in your wedding party who don't want one, there is another solution: “Corsages tend to be the alternative to buttonholes worn by women,” says Nicola.
“They can be worn by the mother of the bride and groom and either pinned onto their outfit or made into wrist corsages for ladies who will be wearing a delicate dress. Grandmothers are also sometimes gifted a corsage to wear. I’ve also recommended them for bridesmaids, instead of holding a bouquet, when they have a little one or flower girl to walk down the aisle with and want to keep their hands free.”
What should couples consider when deciding on the style of their wedding buttonholes?
“This will depend on the style of the wedding,” says Nicola. “For a more traditional style, choose a single stem, such as a rose, from the bridal bouquet with some filler flowers and foliage. For a more rustic, whimsical wedding, use a selection of the filler flowers and foliage from the bridal bouquet for a softer, more rustic vibe.”
What are the best types of buttonhole flowers?
"As most weddings are in the summer, you have to consider the heat and use flowers that hold the most moisture in their stems, such as roses or lisianthus,” advises Jennifer. “Dried flowers also work well when mixed with fresh flowers. I often make an additional buttonhole for the groom so it looks fresh all day for photos. After the ceremony, all the hugs and kisses also often squash the buttonhole flowers, so it's good to have a fresh one to use for the rest of the day!”
What would you suggest for those wanting modern buttonholes?
“A mix of dried and fresh flowers provides a modern look,” says Jennifer. “Pocket buttonholes that sit on the top of the jacket pocket are also proving popular with modern couples, which allows for a much bigger and nicer flower display.”
Nicola agrees: “Pocket flowers are becoming very popular as an alternative to a pin-on buttonhole. These are made with a selection of smaller filler flowers and foliage attached to a piece of card that sits in the suit pocket, providing a line of flowers just popping out of the pocket. Likewise, choosing a selection of the smaller filler flowers from the bridal bouquet wired together provides a more modern vibe for a pin-on buttonhole.”
And finally, how can you make wedding buttonholes personal?
“We can use a flower with a particular personal memory or significance,” says Jennifer. “For example, a proposal flower or a favourite flower of a relative who can't be there on the day. Sometimes, we use different flowers or decorative details for the groom to make them stand out from the other groomsmen. Generally, we try to ensure the buttonhole flower is also used in the bridal bouquet and use the same colour flowers and ribbon as the bridal flowers to harmonise colours.”
How To Make A Wedding Buttonhole
If you're wondering how to make your own buttonholes for your wedding, this tutorial on silk flower buttonholes could provide the perfect answer. Just bear in mind that making your own buttonholes can be fiddly work and adds another task to the wedding ‘to-do’ list, so you might prefer to leave it in the capable hands of your wedding florist.
Should you wish to make your own flower buttonholes, Nicola of Petals & Posies Floral Design shares the basic design principles: “Buttonholes are made with fresh flowers and foliage, generally chosen from the wedding bouquet. All fresh flowers are wired and taped together, with a pin attached, and finished with ribbon or twine.”
Meanwhile, if you’d prefer an alternative DIY buttonhole option, you may be questioning how to knit a buttonhole or how to make a buttonhole flower from paper. In this case, YouTube tutorials, like the one above, will be your best bet for finding help to pull it off in style.
Another big day detail you'll want to get right is your wedding cake topper. These 43 unique wedding cake topper ideas will be the cherry on top of your special sponge.
