How to Choose the Right Dried Flower Buttonhole for Your Suit

The modern wedding is a celebration of individuality, and every detail, no matter how small, has a role to play. While a wedding buttonhole may seem like a minor accessory, it’s a powerful finishing touch that ties your entire look together. For couples, one of the perfect solutions lies in the enduring charm of dried flower buttonholes.

Their timeless beauty, eco-friendly nature, and remarkable longevity make them a fantastic alternative to fresh flowers. They won’t wilt in the summer heat or bruise from an overenthusiastic hug, and they can be ordered well in advance, removing a significant source of wedding-day stress.

But with a rich array of colours, textures, and styles available, selecting the perfect buttonhole to complement your suit and wedding theme requires a little guidance.

A Guide to Colour Matching Your Buttonhole

The right floral combination can create a striking focal point, a subtle accent, or a cohesive visual flow. Understanding the principles of colour harmony will empower you to make a choice that is both beautiful and intentional.

The Classic Navy Blue Suit

A navy suit is arguably the most popular choice for a groom and his groomsmen. Its rich, deep hue is incredibly versatile and provides the ideal backdrop for a wide range of floral arrangements.

• Contrasting Statement: Create a beautiful pop of colour against the dark blue fabric. Think burnt oranges, rusts, and warm terracotta from dried poppies, ferns, and starflowers. This palette evokes a feeling of autumn and complements a rustic or barn wedding theme beautifully. The contrast is eye-catching without being jarring.
• Soft, Muted Look: Opt for a more subdued and sophisticated palette. Dusty rose, blush pink, and delicate lavenders work wonderfully to soften the suit’s formality. Incorporating feathery elements like bunny tails or a sprig of dried gypsophila will add texture and romance.
• Timeless Elegance: Choose a simple, elegant buttonhole with a monochromatic colour scheme. A blend of neutral tones, such as bleached white, ivory, and soft beige, will create a polished and refined look that is both modern and classic.

The Modern Light Grey or Charcoal Suit

Light grey and charcoal suits have become a go-to for contemporary grooms. They exude a sense of effortless style and serve as a brilliant canvas for a variety of buttonhole styles.

• Romantic and Ethereal Vibes: Pair the cool tones of the suit with a buttonhole featuring soft pastels and light greens. Stems of lavender, baby’s breath, or a few heads of lunaria (honesty) create a gentle and airy feel. This style is particularly suited to a spring or summer wedding.
• Sleek, Minimalist Approach: Choose a buttonhole that matches the suit’s streamlined aesthetic. A single, sculptural dried palm spear or a small cluster of ruscus with a crisp white ribbon can add a touch of minimalist flair. The focus here is on form and negative space.
• Rustic Charm: Introduce warmth with textures. A buttonhole made with wheat, oat stems, and dried foliage will bring an earthy, organic feel that grounds the light colour of the suit and complements a natural outdoor setting.

The Formal Black Tuxedo

A black tuxedo is the pinnacle of formal wear and requires a buttonhole that is both dramatic and refined. Simplicity and elegance are key here.

• Classic Contrast: A buttonhole with crisp whites or ivory blooms will create the most striking and traditional look. A single dried rose head or a small cluster of white hydrangea petals tied with a black satin ribbon will be a flawless detail.
• Modern Twist: Introduce a splash of colour. A deep, rich burgundy or a vibrant emerald green can be incredibly sophisticated against the black fabric. This choice showcases a confident sense of style and adds an element of surprise.

The Rustic Tweed or Brown Suit

For a relaxed, country-inspired, or bohemian wedding, a tweed or brown suit is a fantastic choice. Your buttonhole should have a wild, natural feel to match.

For Free-Spirited Vibe

Embrace the untamed look with a buttonhole full of different textures and earthy shades. A mix of feathery bunny tails, dried grasses, and small starflowers creates a charming, unstructured bouquet for your lapel.

For Cohesive Colour Palette

Draw on the natural tones of the suit itself. A buttonhole featuring a blend of beiges, soft browns, and olive greens from dried eucalyptus and wheat will create a harmonious and effortlessly stylish look.

The Groom vs Groomsmen: A Subtle Distinction

While a cohesive look is important, it’s a lovely idea to distinguish the groom from the rest of the wedding party. This can be done subtly through the buttonholes.

• For the Groom: Give him a slightly larger, more intricate buttonhole. Add a unique floral element, a different coloured ribbon, or a more prominent stem to make his stand out.
• For the Groomsmen: Their buttonholes can be a simplified version of the groom’s. Use the same core flowers but in a smaller bundle, or simply omit one of the more detailed elements. This creates a visual hierarchy while maintaining a unified style.

Beyond the Groom: Buttonholes and Corsages for All

Buttonholes aren’t just for the groom and his party. It’s a wonderful gesture to provide them for the fathers of the bride and groom, as well as the ushers.

For mothers and grandmothers, a dried flower corsage is an elegant alternative that can be pinned to a dress or worn on the wrist. This ensures all key members of the wedding party are recognised and coordinated.

Thinking of a DIY Dried Flower Buttonhole? Read This.

Creating your own wedding buttonholes seems like a fun and personal way to add a unique touch to your day. It’s a popular idea, particularly for couples with a creative flair. However, before you commit to a DIY project, it’s crucial to understand the reality of the process.

1. Making even a small batch of buttonholes can be incredibly time-consuming, especially when you consider sourcing materials, prepping the flowers, and learning the techniques. During the busy lead-up to a wedding, every minute counts.

2. Trying to perfect a new skill under pressure can add unnecessary stress. What if a stem snaps? What if you can’t get the wiring right? These small mishaps can feel monumental when your big day is just around the corner.

3. A professionally made buttonhole is crafted to be durable. The stems are securely wrapped, and the flowers are chosen for their resilience. A DIY version may look good initially, but it could fall apart after a few hugs or during a lively dance, leaving you without a keepsake.

This is why many couples choose a stress-free alternative. By opting for a handcrafted buttonhole from a professional, you are guaranteed a beautiful, high-quality, and long-lasting keepsake. You can order well in advance and simply pin them on when the day arrives, allowing you to focus on enjoying your special moments without a worry.

If you have no time to DIY your special dried flower buttonhole, explore floralfields to find the perfect flower buttonhole to complete your look!

FAQ

Why should I choose a dried flower buttonhole instead of a fresh one?

Dried flower buttonholes have a timeless, eco-friendly charm and remarkable longevity. They also serve as a lasting keepsake.

Another reason is that our ready-to-use dried flower buttonholes can be ordered well in advance to reduce your wedding-day stress.

What color buttonhole should I pair with a classic navy blue suit?

For a bold statement, consider contrasting colors like burnt orange, rust, or terracotta. For a softer, romantic look, opt for muted tones like dusty rose, blush pink, or lavender. For a timeless choice, you can choose white, ivory, or beige.

What is the best buttonhole for a formal black tuxedo?

A black tuxedo demands a refined buttonhole where simplicity is key. The most classic and striking look is a crisp white or ivory bloom.

My wedding has a rustic theme. What buttonhole works with a tweed or brown suit?

You can embrace a “free-spirited” look with a mix of textures like feathery bunny tails and dried grasses.

Alternatively, you can create a cohesive palette by using buttonholes with earthy tones, such as beiges, soft browns, and olive greens.