No, you do not have to have a boutonniere. This is only traditional, and it’s a tradition that has been going on for many, many years. But I’m actually kind of sick of this tradition, to be honest with you. And the reason why is because when the guys put on these boutonnieres, they don’t mean it, but they are so not careful. And when they are put on before ceremony, oftentimes they are already broken or the flower is dead. And it’s just such a pain in the ass when this happens, because you want it to be pretty and perfect and look good for photos. But a lot of times they’re already ruined before ceremony starts. And they’re not cheap. They’re at least $15 to $25 each. So if you want to save cost, just take out the boutonnieres. I don’t think anyone’s going to miss them. In fact, I think the guys would really appreciate not having to wear a boutonniere or pinholes through the suits that they probably bought for so much money. I actually think that if it’s a black tie affair and you’re wearing this black tie, expensive suit, that you don’t put nothing on it. Just leave it clean and simple and with no boutonniere. So, no, you do not have to have a boutonniere.

To be honest, I don’t think that boutonniers really allow the groom to stand apart. So I’m not personally a big fan of them but I do think there’s ways to elevate the grooms. If you are going to have boutonnieres for everybody, you could do a pocket square boutonniere which actually just sits on cardboard inside their pocket and it becomes more of a horizontal boutonnier. I think it’s really stunning. Also lapel boutonnieres are really in style and I think those are great as well. But long answer short no, you do not need boutonnieres at all. It’s just an added cost. Typically twenty dollars to forty dollars depending on what kind of flowers and how big. I just don’t think it’s something that’s important or necessary. The guys are going to take their jackets off as soon as ceremony is over so it’s really just for those photos. And I don’t think there’s ever been a moment that I look at a ceremony photo and think wow, those boutonnieres just really stand out. You guys should be the focal point anyway. So if you want to have your groom in one just because he is the groom, I think that’s a really great option. Or anyone that is in a pantsuit and has a lapel, I think there’s some really stunning lapel accessories you can do now. So no, you don’t need one. But there’s a lot of all alternatives. So it’s not just the standard kind of one flower bouveneer.