Buttonholes

The bride carries a bouquet, whether composite, cascade, nosegay or other style. The bridesmaids, too, typically carry some kind of bouquet or single flower (although the other day, Daddy and I saw on a show bridesmaids carrying a cluster of feathers). And the guys what do they carry? Well, nothing. They wear buttonholes, or as they are more commonly known in their French term, boutonnieres (pronounced boo-ten-ears). Basically this is a flower that is stuck into the left side buttonhole of suit jacket lapels. Although usually now they are pinned to the suit. Historically, men wore them for the same reason women carried flowers ... to hide their smell, and in some cases in the belief they kept away the evil spirits. Hope they were big flowers, smell wise. Others say the boutonniere was a way for Medieval knights to show who their female supporter was during jousts because they would wear her "colors."

Boutonnieres can be made of real or fake flowers or no flowers at all. We have seen boutonnieres made of seashells, keys, buttons (buttons in a buttonhole ... how original), seeds, weeds, ropes and beads. Boutonnieres are usually worn by the groom, groomsmen and fathers and grandfathers of the couple (moms and grandma's can wear corsages or carry one bloom). They can be one simple flower, a leaf and a sprig of Baby's Breath, or several flowers. You can personalize them with tokens unique to the groom or couple. The key is to keep them simple and classy. Too large and the arrangement may droop or pull at the lapel funny.

In Rob's case, the couple has selected a succulent for the boutonnieres because the color compliments the color of the bride and bridesmaids flowers. When I asked Anton what kind of boutonnieres he would be having, he replied, "What's a boutonniere?" so guessing that is in the planning stages just yet.

Did you know guys used to wear boutonnieres all the time? It was part of the fashion. Now, they are usually worn for special occasions like weddings and proms. But they certainly debonair-up a suit.

And there is an art to putting them on. Pins should be put behind the lapel through the front and stem and back into the lapel. Two pins are necessary, either parallel to each other or crisscrossed. The pointy part of the pin faces the heart.

Classy and debonair, the boys will be snazzy in their boutonnieres for the big day!

Discussion: What is a classy boutonniere to you? What is the oddest boutonniere you have seen?

Prayer: Lord, we look forward to seeing our gentlemen all dressed up in tuxedos and wearing their boutonnieres. We thank you for the beautiful flowers and plants you have made. We love you, Father. In Jesus, Amen.