Pinning boutonnieres on our grooms and their friends and family is always a joyous part of the wedding day. It is the moment just before the excitement of the photos, ceremony, and celebrations are underway.
Here are a few tips from our day-of coordinator pros on pinning the boutonniere:
Get the Correct Placement
The boutonniere will adorn the left lapel of the jacket. The majority of jackets have a buttonhole marking this spot. Place the flowering, voluminous part of the boutonniere directly over the buttonhole. Lastly, ensure that the stem is aligned with the edge of the jacket so the angles are parallel.
Hold it Snug
This part is important preparation for the next step. Before sticking the pins, you want to pull the boutonniere in tight to the jacket for a tight lay. The easiest way we find to do this is to pinch the jacket and boutonniere together with your thumb on the underside of the jacket and your index finger on the boutonniere stem.
Pin It - Twice
All the pinning action happens on the backside of the lapel. With your firm grip, expose the underside of the lapel. Using two pins, you will fashion an X creating a strong, unwavering hold. To do this, angling your pin from top to bottom, push your pin through the fabric and into the meat of the ribbon-covered stem. Then, slightly angle the lapel and boutonniere so that when you continue to push the pin through, it reappears through the backside of the lapel. Repeat again from the opposite side to create your X.
Try to keep the pins as hidden as possible. Do not insert your pin into the lapel far from the buttonhole. Ideally, you are as close to the boutonniere as possible while being able to maneuver it in and out of the fabric.
Photography by Ashley Seawell Photography
Boutonnieres created by Charleston Street