The bride gets an amazing gown, veil or headpiece, shoes, jewelry and a stunning bouquet. The bridesmaids get to wear cute dresses, and carry colorful flowers. What do the guys get? Not much. Aside from an interesting tie and perhaps a cool pair of socks, the boutonnière is one of the only ways the groom and groomsmen can add a little style to their ensemble.

The boutonnière (which, by the way, is French for “buttonhole”) should incorporate some of the same floral elements as the bride’s bouquet, it should work well with the style of the suit, it should be just the right size (not to small, and for heaven’s sake, not too big!) and it needs to complement the overall color palette of the wedding. Quite a lot of thought needs to go into this tiny little adornment.

The style of the boutonnière can vary widely. First, there’s the traditional all-floral style incorporating one or two small blooms or buds, along with a little foliage:

One or two unexpected elements can also be incorporated to add a little interest. For example, berries, herbs, feathers or twigs:

If you really want to show a little personality, think outside the box. Use a completely non-floral option like ribbon, or use something unexpected like the boll of a cotton plant. There are even florists who will create bespoke boutonnières using incorporating some of your groom’s favorite things:

Whatever you choose, remember that along with reflecting the style of the wedding, the boutonnière should also reflect a little of your fiancé’s personality.

Photo Credits:
row 1: Millie Holloman Photography via The Knot, Martha Stewart
row 2: Better Homes and Gardens, Michelle Rago, Lori Love Photography via The Knot
row 3: Martha Stewart, Better Homes and Gardens
row 4: Martha Stewart, Julia Newman Photography via The Knot, Michelle Rago
row 5: Kris Rupp via The Knot, Michelle Rago
row 6: Martha Stewart, Almasy Photography via The Knot
row 7: Better Homes and Gardens, Eleise Theuer
row 8: Fritts Rosenow via Brooklyn Bride