How do you pin a boutonniere the right way?
The Short Answer
Pin the boutonniere to the left lapel, flowers pointing up, roughly at heart height along the lapel seam. Push the pin from behind the lapel, catch the stem, and return the point behind the fabric so no sharp end shows. Use one or two pins and never pin through the front of the jacket.
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Where it goes and which way it faces
The boutonniere belongs on the wearer's left lapel, the same side as a suit's buttonhole, with the flowers pointing upward toward the shoulder. Position it along the lapel seam, centered roughly at heart height. The stem should sit flat against the lapel, hidden behind the flower and greenery. A common mistake is placing it too high near the collar or too low toward the button, both of which look off in photos. If the jacket has a working lapel buttonhole, you can slip the stem through it for a classic look, but most modern jackets need the pin method described here.
The pinning technique step by step
Work from behind the lapel so no pin shows from the front. Hold the boutonniere in place, then push the pearl-headed pin from the back of the lapel forward, catch the stem of the flower, and push the point back through to the underside so it disappears behind the fabric. The pin should form a small stitch through the lapel and stem, never a visible line across the front of the flower. For a heavier boutonniere, add a second pin crossing the first in an X behind the lapel for extra hold. Practice once before the wedding so it goes quickly when it counts.
Helping it survive the day
Boutonnieres are worn out of water for hours, so handling matters. Keep them refrigerated in their box until about thirty minutes before you pin them, and pin just before photos rather than at dawn. Ask the wearer to go easy on tight hugs early on, since a crushed flower cannot be revived. If a boutonniere loosens during the reception, a quick repin behind the lapel fixes it. We label every boutonniere at Bentley Florist so the best man or a helper knows exactly which one belongs to whom, which prevents a frantic sort through identical boxes when everyone is trying to get down the aisle.
Planning Tips From Our Designers
- Always pin to the left lapel with flowers pointing up.
- Push the pin from behind the lapel so no point shows in front.
- Add a second crossed pin for heavier boutonnieres.
- Refrigerate boutonnieres until about thirty minutes before pinning.
- Ask your florist to label each box so the right flower reaches the right person.
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