Can You DIY Boutonnieres? Here's What to Consider Before

Whether you pride yourself on your creativity or simply want to try to slash costs as you budget for your big day, you might have considered making DIY boutonnieres. This small floral decoration that's typically worn by men on the lapel of their suit or tux, might look like nothing more than a single flower or small cluster of flowers pinned onto clothing, but it's a bit more complicated than that, according to the pros. Creating a do-it-yourself boutonniere involves several steps and considerations that can make the process more complex than it appears at first glance.

From choosing the right blooms that match your color scheme and have the appropriate shelf life to keeping the boutonniere fresh ahead of the wedding day, crafting a boutonniere often requires more time, skill and thought than many might initially expect.

In this article, we'll go over everything you need to know about making your own boutonniere so you can decide for yourself whether or not it's worth it to DIY one yourself or hire a professional to handle the task.

In this article:

• Is It Cheaper to Make Your Own Boutonniere?
• Cost of Wedding Boutonnieres
• Why You Should Consider Not DIYing Your Wedding Boutonnieres
• How to Make a Boutonniere

Is It Cheaper to Make Your Own Boutonniere?

When considering what to DIY for your wedding, most of the time it's not cheaper to DIY your own boutonniere. "While boutonnieres are made using only a few stems of flowers, a bit of tape and two pins, you'll need to buy full bunches of every type of flower and greenery you want to use in your boutonnieres plus hundreds of pins and full spools of ribbon," says Michelle Edgemont, florist and owner of Michelle Edgemont Design located near NYC. "Much of that material will be wasted since you only need a bit of each item." Use The Knot Budget Tool to learn more about wedding costs in local marrying locations and follow our tips to save on wedding flowers.

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Cost of Wedding Boutonnieres

When deciding whether to DIY a simple boutonniere or hire a professional, several cost factors come into play, according to experts. First, there's the cost of wedding flowers, which, as Edgemont mentioned, you'll have to buy in a bunch at least. You'll also want to consider whether or not to purchase exotic or rare flowers, which might be more expensive than common and seasonal blooms. Specialty supplies like floral tape, floral glue, boutonniere ribbon, pins and boxes can add up quickly, notes Clara Herrara, founder of Epic Floral Design in Pompano Beach, Florida, as can the costs involved in construction and design. "Let's not forget the potential stress and frustration of doing it yourself, especially when there are so many other things to focus on for a wedding," she says. "If it takes at least 30 minutes for a professional to make each bouquet (if they are doing it right), imagine how long it could take you, and multiply that by the number you are thinking of making!"

Why You Should Consider Not DIYing Your Wedding Boutonnieres

As tempting as it might be to DIY the groom's boutonniere, experts urge couples to hire an expert. Here, they share the main reasons why.

It's Usually Not Cost-Saving

"By the time the couple buys all the supplies and flowers necessary for the boutonnieres, they spend way more than what a florist puts into the boutonniere," says Michelle Maslowski, owner of One of a Kind Events in Indianapolis, Indiana. "The florist can spread product and supplies out over many boutonnieres in a way the couple cannot."

It's Time-Consuming—and High-Maintenance

Boutonnieres with real florals can only be made the day before the wedding and must be kept cool (around 50 degrees) until the morning of the wedding, Maslowski notes. "Most couples have a lot on their plate the day before the wedding, including a rehearsal and last-minute details," she says. "If spending hours on boutonnieres the day before the big day is not in the timetable, your florist is going to be a better option."

It Requires Skill and Experience

If you have never put together a boutonniere before, the learning curve is very high, according to Maslowski. "Boutonnieres might look simple but need a very specific construction to ensure they make it all the way through the wedding," she says. "If you don't want to spend a frustrating hour putting together one boutonniere only to look over and realize that you have seven more to go, let the florist take that off your plate."

Flowers are Perishable

If you're not familiar with how to keep certain flowers fresh without water, your DIY boutonnieres might wilt or droop well before the ceremony even begins. "The flowers need to be properly hydrated days before the wedding, kept at a constant temperature away from food in a floral cooler for at least 24 hours before the big day, and properly pinned on the morning of, to keep them looking fresh throughout photos," Edgemont says. To avoid worrying about the state of your blooms, you might consider using artificial wedding flowers.

You've Got Enough on Your Plate Already

Weddings are stressful enough without having to worry about so many different floral arrangements going awry. Stick to soaking up the emotional and sentimental aspects of your wedding, as you should, and reveling in the moments you'll cherish forever. Leave the flowers up to the pros! Find a professional via the florist section of The Knot Vendor Marketplace where you can filter by boutonnieres or other types of florals in addition to inexpensive and affordable pricing.

How to Make a Boutonniere

If you're determined to DIY the boutonnieres for your wedding, here's a quick guide on how to make a boutonniere step-by-step.

1. Choose your florals: If possible, choose flowers that can withstand the test of time, which will give you the leverage to create the boutonnieres a bit in advance of your actual wedding day. Roses, carnations or orchids are good picks here. It can also be pretty to add in some greenery, like eucalyptus or ferns, to give your boutonnieres a nice finishing touch.

2. Trim and prepare: It's important that you trim your flowers properly to allow for better water absorption and to help prevent bacteria from entering the stem. Trim each stem to about 2-3 inches and remove any leaves that will be below the waterline. If your stems are a bit flimsy, use floral wire to give them some extra support.

3. Arrange them: Arrange your floral stems however you'd like them to appear, and then, once positioned, grip the stems firmly before wrapping floral tape around them. Start at the base of the blooms and work your way down to make sure everything is securely in place.

4. Finish with ribbon: For an elegant, professional look, wrap a small piece of ribbon around the floral tape, starting at the base of the flowers and moving downward. Secure the ribbon with a touch of glue if needed to keep it in place.

5. Pin it in place: Since boutonnieres are usually attached to the lapel, add a boutonniere pin or a small safety pin to make securing it easier.

6. Store: Until the wedding day, keep the boutonnieres nice and fresh by storing them in a cool, dark place (like a fridge).