By Danielle Davey
Adorned with brooches, buttons, ribbons and charms, the bespoke everlasting bouquets of Nic’s Button Buds offer a unique alternative to bridal flowers. Handcrafted in Pearcedale by founder Nicole Answer, these stunning creations have graced the pages of high-profile wedding magazines including Melbourne Wedding & Bride and UK publication Rock n Roll Bride.
Nicole was married in Marysville, her childhood home town, shortly after the Black Saturday bushfires. The closure of the local florist’s shop after the event presented no issue; she’d never felt a strong attachment to fresh flowers and had already decided to walk down the aisle without a bouquet. Then a friend reminded her: “You’re a fidgeter. You need something to hold.” She was intrigued to discover the concept of button bouquets online, but with stockists being based overseas, delivery costs were too high. Undefeated, she decided to create her own.
Rather than sourcing instructions, Nicole devised her own process for making the bouquets, using her talent for hand sewing. In hindsight, she’s glad she did. Her bouquets have an intricate, sturdy wire frame to which buttons and brooches are individually fastened. YouTube tutorials she’s viewed since depict makers using pins and glue to attach accessories onto a foam core, materials that are susceptible to disintegration over time.
Black and white buttons were the main feature of her own bouquet, coincidentally matching the colours of her favourite footy team. The addition of Holden-themed accessories was a nod to the couple’s passion for fast cars. By her own admission, the bouquet was a simple affair, but her guests were impressed.
Encouraged by their enthusiasm, Nicole shared her work on social media and online wedding forums. As word of mouth spread, orders flooded in. One of the earliest came from a Queenslander wanting a bouquet representing family. The bride-to-be mailed a bag of brooches collected from her female relatives – costume jewellery mixed with heirlooms – all to be included in the final creation.
Perhaps her most challenging request was from a client hoping to incorporate a white kid leather glove of her great-grandmother’s. With instructions to “do whatever you want”, its age and sentimental value made her reluctant to cut it. Preserving the glove intact, Nicole elegantly wrapped it around the bouquet handle. The bride walked down the aisle holding hands with history.
Her work often inspires emotional connections. A bouquet once became the focal point of a touching speech by the bride’s father. Pointing out the unique charms and buttons, he called out individual pieces representing those in the room: a snowflake for the groom’s friends and family from Canada; a gum leaf for the Aussie contingent.
Ranging from $220 to $660, the button bouquets are a forever keepsake. Nic’s Button Buds also creates bespoke buttonholes for groomsmen, posies for bridesmaids, and toss bouquets (button bouquets can be too heavy to throw). For more details, visit Instagram @nicsbuttonbuds, or call Nicole on 0403 213 814.
