The buttonhole is a small detail, but it’s one of the only pieces of a groom’s outfit that’s chosen specifically for the day rather than pulled from an existing wardrobe. It’s worth a bit of thought. Done well, it ties the groom’s look back to the bride’s bouquet and the wider wedding colour scheme without needing to match it exactly.
Classic Floral Buttonholes
A single flower with its stem wrapped in ribbon or twine remains the most popular choice, and for good reason. A white rose reads as timeless and formal, while flowers echoing the bridal bouquet, whether that’s a sprig of eucalyptus, a spray rose, or a single peony bud, tie the groom’s look directly into the bride’s florals and the overall wedding palette. This is usually the easiest option to coordinate, since your florist can build it directly from whatever’s already going into the bouquets and centrepieces.
Bold and Unexpected Colours
While white and ivory buttonholes suit a classic or formal wedding, brighter colours work well for couples who want the buttonhole to feel more like a personal style statement. Deep burgundy, mustard, or coral tones can stand out nicely against a navy or charcoal suit, particularly for autumn or countryside weddings where richer colours suit the setting.
Matching the Buttonhole to Your Wedding Theme
The buttonhole can echo whatever aesthetic runs through the rest of the day. A formal, black-tie wedding suits a more structured buttonhole, sometimes finished with a small crystal or feather detail, while a rustic or garden-style wedding calls for something looser and more textured, using dried grasses, foliage, or wildflowers alongside the main bloom. If your wedding has a strong seasonal theme, choosing buttonhole flowers that are naturally in season at that time of year keeps the look consistent and cost-effective.
Coordinating the Full Wedding Party
Buttonholes don’t need to stop with the groom. Coordinating buttonholes for the best man, groomsmen, and fathers of the bride and groom pulls the wedding party’s look together in photos, and it’s a small, thoughtful detail that guests notice. Some couples use a slightly different flower or ribbon colour for the groom’s buttonhole so he stands out subtly from the rest of the party while still feeling connected to it.
Adding a Personal Touch
Because the buttonhole is such a small, contained piece, it’s an easy place to add something personal without it becoming a major design decision. Some grooms include a small trinket or fabric swatch tied in with the flowers, a nod to a shared memory, a family tartan, or a keepsake connected to a loved one who can’t be there on the day. It’s a detail only the groom (and perhaps the bride) will know the full meaning of, but it adds real sentiment to the outfit.
Practical Tips for Buttonholes
A few practical points are worth keeping in mind when you’re finalising your buttonhole order with your florist:
- Order enough for everyone who needs one, including groomsmen, fathers, and ushers, and confirm the final count with your florist a few weeks out.
- Ask about pinning — a magnetic backing is a popular alternative to a traditional pin, since it avoids putting holes in an expensive suit jacket.
- Keep buttonholes cool and out of direct sunlight until they’re needed, ideally in the fridge if you have the space, to keep the flowers looking fresh through photos and the ceremony.
- Hand off spares to the best man, so buttonholes are distributed smoothly on the morning of the wedding without the groom needing to manage it himself.
Need Help Choosing Your Buttonhole?
At Flowers Touch, we build buttonholes to coordinate with the bridal bouquet and overall colour scheme as part of every wedding proposal. If you’re not sure where to start, get in touch and we’ll help you find a style that suits both your suit and your day.
