How to Make Your Own Victorian Style Rose Wedding Boutonnieres

It's easy to make your own rose boutonnieres for a romantic Victorian wedding. In high Victorian style, these boutonnieres are trimmed with lace, pearls, satin, and beads. Each boutonniere can be made in less than ten minutes and allow you to customize the design and colors as well as saving money.

Supplies for Each Victorian Boutonniere

For the boutonniere shown here, start with a partially opened dark red rose. A larger rose will create a more impressive boutonniere. You will use a 12 inch length of floral wire and a roll of florist's tape to strengthen the stem. You will also need a six inch strip of two inch wide white lace edging, 18 inches of half inch wide white satin ribbon, five straight pins, five pearl beads (the ones shown here are four mm sized), and five pink seed beads for that Victorian beaded look. Don't forget a large pearl headed pin to pin the boutonniere in place.

Preparing the Rose for the Boutonniere

Cut the rose stem to two and a half inches in length. Wrap the lace loosely around the base of the rose blossom, and gather the bottom edge of the lace to the base of the rose. Use a loop of the floral wire to secure the lace in place and wind the wire down the length of the rose stem. Cut the wire off a half inch below the end of the rose stem and bend back up to create a blunt end. Wrap the stem from the base of the rose to the end of the stem in floral tape. Your Victorian boutonniere is half done!

Trimming the Boutonniere with Victorian-Style Beadwork

Prepare the straight pins by putting one seed bead and one pearl bead on each. Starting at the base of the rose, wrap the satin ribbon around the stem. Cut off any excess ribbon, leaving a half inch to fold and tuck in at the bottom. Using the bead-trimmed pins secure the ribbon in place, spacing the pins evenly on the stem. Your Victorian boutonniere is complete. Store in a cool place until the wedding.

Variations on the Victorian Boutonniere

You may add additional flowers to the boutonniere, wrapping them in with the floral tape. A few sprays of lily of the valley would be lovely, or the tip of a Victorian-style fern leaf for a touch of green. Or use a spray of sweetheart roses gathered together in the spirit of a tiny tussie-mussie.

Colors can be changed to suit the wedding. For the groom, an all white boutonniere with silver seed beads would be stunning. Or consider matching the ribbon color to the rose and bridesmaids' dresses.

Enjoy making this quick, easy, and beautiful Victorian wedding craft!