Yes, it’s true: there IS a right way and a wrong way for such a simple task as pinning on a posie.
Unlike its female counterpart, the corsage, the boutonniere’s pin is not super long, and it has a plain black ball at the top, instead of an elongated pearl (which is intended to be seen). Form follows function here, and what this boils down to is: corsages are pinned on from the top of the garment, causing you to have to “dip” the pin into the fabric and back up before going through (or over) the stem; boutonnieres are pinned from the bottom of the fabric–under the lapel.
Corsages have more blossoms, leaves and stems, and often ribbons, pearls, etc.; they weigh more and are larger than boutonnieres, and their core “stem” is thicker. For this reason, sometimes larger or longer corsages come with a second pin, so that a single pin doesn’t create an “axis” from which the weight or balance of the piece causes the corsage to rotate from its desired position, pulling the underlying garment along with it. Unfortunately, many of the most corsage-worthy dresses are made of thin, delicate fabrics, which can make it difficult to get the corsage securely anchored (no law against pinning into a bra strap).
Pinning on a corsage is generally a woman-to-woman task, since it may involve reaching one hand down a neckline to get behind the fabric to “guide” the pin(s) to avoid not only a painful jab, but possibly a stain from the resulting droplet of blood. In a particularly stubborn situation, retreat to the dressing room, mark the spot (with the pin alone) where the main pin would go if the corsage were in its ideal position, slip off the garment, lie flat (or better yet, lie up the back of an upholstered chair to get a feel for how gravity will effect the positioning of the piece) and pin into place, being careful not to pick up any threads from the back of the garment with the pin(s) so that you’re pinning the dress closed. Your main pin should go about 2/3 of the way down the length of the corsage (or closer to the center if it’s a smaller corsage that will likely be well-fastened with a single pin), avoiding the very thickest part of the stem core, and will be pinned in a right-to-left, downward-diagonal direction. With corsage in position, poke the pin a tiny way through the fabric (1/8” at most), feeling it come through behind the fabric with your left hand; directing the pin into a downward-diagonal, guide the pin back through the fabric to the top. Feel the stem core with your left fingers for how the stems lie under the floral tape, and pin through the stem core (if silks, pin will need to “weave” between stems as it cannot get through them) continuing in a downward-left diagonal direction. This does take some strength, so may tend to jab harshly out the other side, so protect the wearer by keeping your left hand under the pinning area. The corsage should now be pinned in place. If the fabric is of sufficient thickness, guide the pin back up into the fabric, not quite breaking through to the top, so that the end of the pin doesn’t show. Otherwise, if it’s lying in a good position that doesn’t stick the wearer, the pin can remain below. If the fabric is simply too thin and the pin is sticking the wearer, the pin will have to have to come out on top, and show a bit, just at the tip. Check the position; whether the pinning has caused pulling or puckering of the garment below (in which case it will have to be re-pinned); and whether the corsage requires a second pin so it’s secure and doesn’t flop around. The second pin can be aimed at a smaller stem, rather than the main stem core.
Pinning on a boutonniere. One note of caution: boutonnieres are NEVER added to a U.S. military uniform–bear this in mind if any member of the wedding party or the couple’s family will be attending the wedding in uniform. Thankfully, boutonnieres are much more simple to attach: Place the boutonniere in position on the lapel. Holding it there with your left hand, left the lapel slightly with your left thumb. Slip beneath the lapel with your right hand, and poke the boutonniere pin up to the top of the lapel from underneath, again a right-to-left, downward-diagonal direction. Again, if the boutonniere is made of silks, the pin will have to weave through the few stems in the stem core. Where the pin emerges from stem core, push into fabric, trying to keep it below the surface, but not sticking down through the surface to stick the wearer (not such an issue with tuxes, since there is another layer of jacket, a vest and shirt still beneath.)
Allow enough time for the fact that it does take about 5 minutes (or longer) per corsage and perhaps 3 for a boutonniere–longer if more attempts must be made. Don’t get frustrated–get someone else to help. If several attempts have been made, and the floral tape wrapping the stems is looking tattered, go to the floral person–it can be quickly re-wrapped.
Hopefully this will enable you to stop slinking out of the room hoping nobody will ask, “Can you help me with my corsage/boutonniere?” and allow you step up to the plate with confidence.
01.07.09 updated 05.21.09
