WEDDING DETAILS - DIY FEATHER BOUTONNIERES

I wish I could remember how I first came up with the idea for feather boutonnieres. I don't recall where I saw it first, but I knew I wanted to do it from the beginning. I've never been a huge fan of boutonnieres... making the guys wear flowers did not appeal to me {and it definitely did not appeal to my "guy's guy" fiance - now husband}.

Here's the honest disclaimer: hands down this was the hardest project I took on myself. It took me 3 hours to complete the first boutonniere. Eek! I will say... after the initial evening I spent trying to figure it out, the remainder of the boutonnieres were executed much more swiftly and smoothly. This, my friends, was when I truly realized what a perfectionist I was. If you're not a perfectionist, this process will probably be A LOT easier.

I completed all of the boutonnieres for around $20 {1 groom, 6 groomsmen, and our fathers = 8}!  I looked for inspiration on Etsy and shopped for the materials I wanted to use. I bought the peacock feathers at Michaels and trimmed off the whispy ends. I also purchased the floral tape and black ribbon at Michaels. Afterward I felt like they still needed something so I got the bead pins and beads at Hobby Lobby. I was really happy with how they turned out, and the guys liked them, too!

What you'll need:

- Floral Tape

- Floral Wire {optional}

- Skinny Ribbon {I used black satin}

- Feathers

- Additional Embellishment {Berries, Velvet Leaves, Beads + Bead Pin}

- Scissors

- Hot Glue Gun

Step 1. Gather all of supplies and millinery items, and bring them to your work space. Lay something out on the table to work on {I used a box lid} so you don't get hot glue on your table or surface. Plug in your glue gun.

Step 2. Begin by choosing any items with stems you will be using for the boutonniere, such as the feathers or velvet leaves. Cut and arrange the stems into an arrangement you like. The average size boutonniere is anywhere between 3 - 4 inches long from top to bottom, so cut any stems that need trimmed. If you are using floral wire, take the floral wire and begin to wrap it around the stems from bottom up. You can also just use the wire stem of one of your items to wrap around the other items. I actually skipped the wire all together because I found it hard to work with. I used a tiny drop of glue to keep the stems where I wanted them instead. 

Step 3. This would be when you would add the additional items that don't have stems. Once all items are in place, take your floral tape and begin to wrap it around your stems from bottom to top. For my boutonnieres - I put a few beads on a bead pin, put a drop of glue on the base of the pin, and stuck it down into the floral tape in front of my arranged feathers. {I used one wood and a few metal filagree beads.} After everything is how you like, use a small dab of glue to secure the end of the floral tape at the top back of the boutonniere.

Step 4. Ribbon. I completed each boutonniere before I did this final step, so if you did the same you're almost done! {This is the point where I did a happy dance.} Take your ribbon and glue one end at the top back of floral tape/stems. Slowly begin to tightly wrap your ribbon down the stems. Once you've made it to the bottom, begin to wrap it back up the stem. Now, this is what you will see, so make sure it looks neat. I angled mine upward because I found it easier to wrap and keep the ribbon flat. Glue the end of the ribbon to the top back of the boutonniere.

Step 5. You can add an additional embellishment at this point. Tie a knot or bow around the stem with an additional color of ribbon, a piece of lace, or twine for a rustic feel. I debated about adding a piece of gray ribbon, but chose not to.

Good Luck! 

{Doesn't he look so serious?}

{My handsome father with his feather boutonniere... also looking pretty serious.}

{I liked how the turquoise in the peacock feather played off the bridesmaid's turquoise necklaces.}