Boutonnieres - how to wear one properly

Guys, with prom and wedding season upon us it's time for a few tips on how to wear your boutonniere....just like 007.

With your jacket facing you on a hanger - which is easier than attempting this by viewing your reflection in a mirror - hold the stem of the boutonniere, the front facing you, on the left lapel. 


The boutonniere should sit about 4-inches below the top of your shoulder. Tilt the boutonniere on a slight angle, flower facing upwards, and take a step back and look where you'll be placing it.

Start pinning by piercing the fabric from under the lapel on the left side of the stem of the boutonniere.  Move the pin and pierce through the stem securing on the opposite side of the lapel.  Ideally, the only part of the pin that should be showing would be a little bit on either side of the stem.  If the boutonniere is heavy two pins can be used with the second pin positioned slightly below the first.

Note: a car seat belt or heavy over coat will crush your boutonniere so wait until your reach your destination to pin it on.

Prom - the rite of passage

Bird of Paradise boutonniere

Mini cymbidium orchid boutonniere

I recall my high school prom: Chateau Laurier Ballroom, chicken dinner, D.J., teacher chaperones, me in a long ivory cotton dress with lace trim and a ruffle collar, and my date in a beige suit - yes, it was the 80s.  My Dad dropped us off and a friend's Dad picked us up.  There were few limos, tux rentals, before and/or after parties, and definitely no committee-organized boat cruises or trips to Tremblant.

Lavender orchid wrist corsage

I bought my own corsage.  Walking into the florist shop I was intimidated.  I had no idea what to ask for but the florist recognized the bewildered look and guided the selection process.  He was gruff, impatient, condescending and not very interested - I just wanted to get the heck out of there.  In the end I loved my corsage but hated the buying experience.

Phalaenopsis wrist corsage and boutonniere

Some things have changed, a lot, and others have not.  After 10+ years of helping young men and women select their prom date's flowers, I'm still committed to making the selection process an enjoyable one.  It's now all wrist corsages for the ladies but still boutonnieres for the guys.  We have created hair corsages and this year will be introducing floral pocket squares for the guys - that's new. 

Calla lily with a Scottish-theme

Rose and orchid corsage

As designers we ask a lot of questions about your date's attire but if all you know is that their dress is blue or their tie is red - that's fine.  We have a portfolio of photos and many lovely flowers on hand along with our experience and knowledge to ensure your selection is just perfect.  Prom is a rite of passage and we're here to help make it a memorable journey.

And my prom corsage - it was a beautiful white cymbidium orchid bloom with baby's breath and lace ribbon.  Ah, the 80s!!

Lists...the dreaded 'To Do'

I'm not blogging as often as I would like to.  It's on the List of 'things to do' but that List is growing as are the actual number of Lists.  Really, it's a List of Lists and somewhere in all of them is doing the work I love so much. 

The List helps me keep (somewhat) organized and prepared so if I appear distracted that's why - I'm wondering what I've forgotten to add to the List.  The List isn't always priority although sometimes it truly ought to be.

Remembering to reply to an email or phone call, ordering the flowers or ribbon for a wedding, finalizing details for an event or sorting through the mountain of paperwork...these are all important and must be done within a very specific time frame but it's too easy to be caught up in the moment: what colour rose to add to the arrangement? curly willow or pussy willow?  It's just too distracting: the beautiful flowers on my work bench and put off the List - for now.  There's always later (or is there?).  It's about balance and that's the master List I'm working on.

What's inspired me?



It's Mother's Day week and we're busy preparing for the big day.  So many boxes of flowers have arrived this week that the flower cooler looks like Mother Nature herself was in there!  It's wonderful - all the colours, textures, smells....but I have to remember to take my allergy pill otherwise it's all sneezing, wheezing and tears which isn't wonderful.  But if Mother's Day week was not chaotic enough, I've put on our floral plate providing arrangements for a national 3-day conference and a 50th anniversary celebration...and a few other celebrations which I will share with you later.  It's been long days and nights working into the wee hours to finish everything.  Lots and lots of tea has already been consumed and a few too many cookies! My sense of humour hasn't gone missing so when I'm asked, 'are you busy?' I can still smile.   



What's inspired me over the last days?  Women: daughters, sisters, mothers, wives, event planners but mostly my co-workers and colleagues....and Mother Nature too!  And the inventor of my allergy pills - couldn't do it without any of you.

Thank you arrangement - Before & After

Before the floral designer applied her talent

It's Administrative Professionals' Week and we'll be busy creating flower arrangements and hand-tied bouquets for the dedicated professionals who are keeping things running smoothly in so many offices and businesses around the city.  One of our talented floral designers created this lovely arrangement today.  She started by selecting the flowers....and transformed them into a stunning, colourful and seasonal arrangement.  Wouldn't it make a lovely and thoughtful gift for your admin?  

After - a stunning design

Scottish Wedding Flowers: Before & After

From this........

It takes a few spectacular flowers: iris, heather, waxflower, calla lilies, 4 kinds of thistle, agapanthus and ivy...some time...some practice and voila!  Actually, it takes more than that.  The end result however, is a bride's bouquet, in a Scottish theme, designed specifically for her with all the flowers and colours she dreamed of.  Congratulations and best wishes to S.  Thank you for making us a part of your day.

........to a bouquet created for a special day

Answers to some frequently asked questions

• 10 years
• Brie
• Bouvier des Flandres
• roses, orchids, magnolia, lisianthus, ranunculus....
• next door
• over a couple of martinis, a few rum 'n coke and a Sen's game
• yes, that's my real name
• no, we're florists
• not in blue
• by personal appointment only
• 'WOW' starts at $100
• it's over-rated so I don't bother
• only Mother's Day
• I try, truly I do
• tea
• they're real and they're fabulous!
• rock, metal....Adele, Dean Martin
• gerberas, tulips, iris...most spring-type flowers except magnolia
• if you can't be nice - be quiet
• Montreal
• I tried that once
• Italy
• you'll just have to wait and see
• BMW Z4 Roaster
• 50
• Sundays