Notes & Gatherings
8th July 2026
By Nicola
We have seen wedding photographs where a buttonhole was pinned upside down, sat on the wrong side of the jacket, or looked completely different from the rest of the group. Nobody notices in the moment. The photographer is focused on faces, not lapels, and it is a detail that is easy to miss entirely on the day itself.
But once the camera has captured it, that photo exists exactly as it is, for good.
At Petals & Posies, we design wedding flowers for couples across Hampshire and the surrounding counties, and buttonholes are one of the smallest details we take the most care over. Here is a quick guide to wearing one properly, so it is one detail that never needs a second thought.
Quick answer: how do you wear a wedding buttonhole correctly?
A buttonhole is worn on the left lapel, roughly level with the heart, with the stem sitting just below the lapel notch and the flower head facing slightly outward. It should be attached last, after the jacket, shortly before you leave for the ceremony, giving it a final check for height, angle and secure attachment before any photographs are taken.
Which side does it go on?
A buttonhole is traditionally worn on the left lapel, roughly level with the heart. If the jacket has a working buttonhole slit, that is exactly where it is designed to sit. If not, it is attached in the same spot, just above the point where the lapel folds.
How high should it sit?
Aim for the stem to sit just below the lapel notch, with the flower head facing slightly outward rather than straight up. Attached too high, it looks awkward next to the collar. Too low, and it gets lost against the jacket. Facing the wrong way or upside down, it reads as a mistake in every photograph it appears in, so it is worth a second look before anyone steps outside.
Ready to pin, or upgrade to magnetic
Every buttonhole from Petals & Posies comes with an integrated pin attachment already fitted into the stem, so there is no separate pin to find or fiddle with on the morning itself. Some florists send buttonholes with just a loose pin, which means working out the attachment yourself, often with limited time and full concentration on getting ready.
A magnetic attachment is also available as an optional upgrade, and it has become a popular choice across the whole wedding party. It takes seconds to fit, and because the magnet sits flat against the lapel, it is far easier to get every buttonhole level, straight and aligned in the same way, which makes a real difference when several groomsmen are lined up together for photographs.
It also removes any concern around a pin near a young child who may be more likely to fidget or remove it themselves, which is why it works especially well for page boys too.
If a magnetic attachment would suit your group, it is worth mentioning during your wedding flower and styling consultation so it can be made this way from the start.
When to put it on
Buttonholes are best kept somewhere cool, out of direct sunlight, right up until they are needed. Put it on last, after the jacket, shortly before you leave for the ceremony. This is usually when the photographer captures the groom and groomsmen together, so it is worth having everyone's buttonhole checked and in place by this point, not adjusted afterwards.
Helping the groomsmen get it right on the day
With several buttonholes to sort at once, it helps to give one person the job of checking everyone's before you leave, usually the best man or an usher. A quick check for height, angle and secure attachment across the whole group makes a real difference to how the photographs turn out. If flowers are delivered early enough in the morning, we are always happy to help with buttonholes before things get busy.
This is one small part of a much wider plan. If you have not already worked through our wedding flowers checklist, it is worth checking where buttonholes fit alongside your bouquets, ceremony flowers and reception styling.
Frequently asked questions
What if my jacket does not have a buttonhole slit?
That is very common with hired suits. The integrated pin attaches just as easily and is barely noticeable once in place.
Is a magnetic attachment available instead of a pin?
Yes, this can be arranged as an optional upgrade for anyone in the wedding party. It is popular across the whole group, since it makes it easier to get every buttonhole sitting level and straight, and it works particularly well for page boys.
Can the groomsmen's buttonholes look different from the groom's?
Yes, and it is a nice way to set the groom apart. A slightly larger buttonhole, or one extra bloom, is a simple way to do this without changing the overall look.
Final thoughts
Small details like this rarely get a second thought until the morning itself, but getting it right makes a real difference to how the day looks and feels.
At Petals & Posies, we will make sure every buttonhole, from the groom's to the youngest page boy's, is designed and fitted so it looks exactly as it should, all day long.
If you would like help planning your buttonholes or any part of your wedding flowers and styling, we would love to hear about your plans.
Get in touch to arrange a relaxed wedding chat with Nicola.
