Homecoming is approaching fast and to help you get ready, we’ve put together a how-to guide for placing and wearing your boutonnieres and corsages and posing with flowers.
Whatever look you are going for, Connells Maple Lee has you covered.
How to place wearable flowers
Boutonnieres
Guys, here’s a step-by-step guide to attaching your boutonniere to your suit or tuxedo. The first step is to decide whether you want the boutonniere on your jacket or your shirt.
Guide for lapel placement:
- First, a boutonniere is typically worn on your left lapel. It should be placed in the middle at the widest section of the lapel.
- To keep from damaging the flowers, angle the boutonniere so that the flowers are leaning slightly away from you. The flowers should also face you while the greenery should face away from you.
- Once the boutonniere is in place, lift the lapel up and push the pin through the thickest part of the arrangement, slightly diagonally and upwards toward your face.
- Then push the pin back into your jacket, like it’s a sewing needle. When completed properly, the beginning and end of the pin should be hidden under your lapel.
- To check if it’s secure, wiggle the boutonniere gently from side to side. If needed, use a second pin.
Watch our how-to video on how to place a boutonniere on a lapel below:
Guide for shirt placement:
- The boutonniere is traditionally placed in the top left area of a shirt (the wearer’s left).
- Pinch the shirt slightly to the right of where you want the boutonniere and stick the pin through both layers.
- Repeat the pinching process slightly to the left of where you want the boutonniere.
- Slide the boutonniere behind the pin. Do not puncture the boutonniere with the pin for this method.
- Check that the boutonniere is secured.
Corsages
The ladies have it a bit easier. Corsages should be secured to a wrist and worn in the same fashion as a bracelet. It should be worn on the non-dominant hand as to minimize the damage it can incur during homecoming.
Opting for a bouquet?
Some homecoming attendees are opting for a bouquet instead. However you choose to incorporate flowers into your special evening, we know it will look beautiful. A bouquet will stand out and can make your photos pop.
Here are some tips if you’re using a bouquet:
- The flower colors do not have to match your dress and can instead compliment it. At Royer’s if you show us a picture of your look, we can help direct you to which flowers will give you your dream homecoming image.
- Stay on the small side. The night will be busy and having a smaller bouquet to carry with you, even if you’re just using them for photos, will make your life easier.
- If you are bringing a bouquet to the actual dance, have a game plan of where you will store it while you’re burning up the dance floor.
Posing with flowers tips
If you are wearing a boutonniere, make sure it is securely in place before the cameras start flashing. The last thing you want is to look back at the photo and see it was lopsided.
For those with corsages, consider photos that specifically highlight the details. If you had your nails done, this is a great way to show those off too. If you have a date, snap a photo of your hand with the corsage on their chest to freeze the arrangement in time.
If you have a bouquet, the most important thing to remember is how your hands look. Do not grip the bouquet with balled up fists; instead lace your fingers around the front of the bouquet for a more casual look.
The trend for bouquet images right now is to hold it out with one hand in front of a blank background, like a white or gray wall, to capture the details.
We hope these tips help you to have the most magical homecoming. Please share your homecoming pictures featuring your Connells Maple Lee flower arrangements with us on Instagram by tagging us @cmlflowers on Instagram and using the hashtags #HOCOwithConnells & #ConnellsMapleLee. We can’t wait to see them!