How to wear a buttonhole & Corsage
Unsure how to attach a buttonhole flower or corsage? This groom prep guide explains placement, sides, and wedding flower etiquette.
Groom Preparation Matters Too
Groom preparation is just as important as bridal prep, and as a wedding photographer, I’ve documented groom prep many times over the years. It’s always great fun and usually far more laid-back, with a few extra drinks and plenty of banter flying around.
At almost every wedding, I get asked the same questions:
How do I attach the buttonhole?
Which side does the buttonhole flower go on?
Can you pin it on for me?
What about corsages — do women wear them on the same side?
Buttonhole flowers and corsages aren’t the easiest things to attach (and yes, I’ve tried myself, let’s just say ‘successful’ might be a stretch!). If you’re unsure, you’re definitely not alone.
How to Wear a Buttonhole Flower
The buttonhole flower should be worn on the left side of the groom’s jacket, as well as on the jackets of the entire groom’s party.
Here’s how to attach it correctly:
Place the flower over the buttonhole, not through it
Secure it with a pin from behind the lapel
Make sure the pin is not visible from the front
When attached properly, the buttonhole sits neatly and looks fantastic in photographs. The photo below shows the perfect placement.
How to wear a Buttonhole flower
The flower should be placed on the left side of the groom's and groom’s party’s jacket. Place it over the buttonhole (not through it) The pin should not be visible as above and attached from the back of the lapel. The photo below looks perfect.
How to wear a corsage
Corsages for women can be a little more confusing. There’s often debate about:
Whether the corsage should be worn on the left or right side
Whether the stem should face up or down
Traditionally, corsages are worn on the right side, which balances the buttonhole worn on the left by the groom’s party. However, modern weddings are more relaxed, and florists may recommend different placements depending on the design.
Final Tip for how to wear a buttonholes & attaching corsages
Whichever side or direction you choose for your buttonhole flowers and corsages, the most important thing is consistency:
All members of the groom’s party should wear their buttonholes the same way
All ladies wearing corsages should match in placement and direction
This not only looks better in real life but also creates a more polished and cohesive look in your wedding photographs.
I hope you found this guide helpful. Thank you for stopping by.