to d-i-y or don't-i-y.

I am still debating whether or not to make the boutonnieres for the groomsmen or just get fresh ones from the florist. It's not really about the cost; our quote is for $10 each which is pretty reasonable. I'm just worried that I'll make them and then regret it when I see the pictures. I don't intend on making one for the groom--his will have dahlias to match my bouquet and will be made by the florist. Of course I can give her matching ribbon to tie them all together, but I'm worried they won't look right with a mixture of fresh and fake flowers.

To refresh your memory, here's trial #1:

Here is a look at trial #2:

I may or may not add a fresh button mum or two to the real deal (much like the first trial), I just didn't have any when I put this one together. I'm unsure about the little berry-like things. I tried to add them for some extra color, but they look weird to me.

This is the picture I gave the florist for the groom's boutonniere. It will have hypericum berries instead of the stringy green things in the picture (not sure what they're called) I'd have her add the same purple ribbon and the flower will be purple as well.

(Photo by Sarah K Chen)

So what do you think? Should I scrap the idea and just have the florist use fresh flowers for the groomsmen bouts'? Or should I stop overanalyzing things and make them myself? With or without the colored berry things? With real berries instead? Do tell!

the bout' test.

As I mentioned previously, I have been considering making the boutonnieres for the groomsmen. I had bought some flowers last week to have around the apartment, and since they are on their last leg, I thought I'd use them to test out my bout-making skills. I had some fake hydrangeas as well from some of our other wedding projects, so I used a stem of the flowers and a leaf to supplement the real button mums. After about 2 minutes, here's what I came up with.
It works, but I think it needs some more color. I tried adding a fuchsia feather. Still not loving it, but it proves that more color is better!
I think I'll do another trial, next time with purple button mums. Possibly two mums and less hydrangea, with some hypericum berries if I can find some. I'll leave out the feathers.

What would you do to improve the bouts'? Do you think they have potential?

boys need flowers too.

In the form of a boutonniere, that is! I'm a fan of simple ones with green hypericum berries for our ringbearers, because you know they are going to destroy them by the end of the night anyway!

(source)

Next up, the groomsmen. We'll be keeping it simple for them too, adding in a few button mums (possibly in purple, green, or a mix) to add some color. Nothing too elaborate, just something to dress us their collars a little.

(source)

Lastly and most importantly, we have the groom of course! The Mr. will be wearing a different bout than the rest of the gents, containing a purple dahlia and probably more of the same hypericum berries to tie them all together.

(source)

All that's left to decide is who will be making them! I have a florist, but I feel like these would be so simple to make. And with an estimate of around $12 per bout from our florist, it's worth it to try. I'll be sure to post an update when I do.

Is anyone else considering making their own boutonnieres?