How to Pin a Boutonniere

We’ve all seen it. Boutonnieres that are too low, on the wrong side, crooked, have pins showing or are precariously hanging by a haphazardly inserted pin after a big hug from a family member. Well, we’ve got you covered this wedding season with a simple set of instructions for making sure that boutonniere is on the right side and stays put all day. Read on to become an expert in pinning boutonnieres.

You’ll need 1-2 straight pins, a boutonniere and a lapel.

Position the boutonniere against the left lapel. If there is a buttonhole on the lapel, use that as a guide for where to position it. If the buttonhole happens to be very high on the lapel or there isn’t one at all, a good rule of thumb is that it should be centred between the top of the tie and the pocket square or breast pocket.

Holding the boutonniere gently in place by the stem, fold the lapel back and insert the pin vertically, from the top to the bottom of the stem, and then back through the fabric.

If the boutonniere is a bit heavy, you may want to secure it with a second pin. Repeat the above step and ensure the pin crosses the other creating an ‘x’.