Creating A Wedding Shower Corsage: A Step-By-Step Guide

Corsages are a fun DIY project that can add a festive flair to wedding showers. While they are not a mandatory part of a traditional or modern bridal shower, presenting the bride-to-be with a charming corsage can make her feel special. Corsages can be made with a variety of fresh or silk flowers, such as roses, carnations, baby's breath, and ivy, and can be worn on the wrist, collar, or hair. Making a corsage requires just a few simple steps and supplies, including flowers, ribbon, shears, floral tape, wire, and glue.

Choosing your flowers

When choosing flowers for a wedding shower corsage, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it's important to select sturdy flowers that can be made into a corsage a few days in advance and withstand transportation without wilting or getting damaged. Look for flowers with firm heads and avoid those with loose petals, as they may be a sign of aging. Examples of sturdy flowers include roses, carnations, and baby's breath.

Secondly, the size of the corsage should be proportional to the size of the wearer. For a smaller head size, consider using spray roses instead of standard roses. You can also use filler flowers, such as miniature carnation heads, baby's breath, or wax flower sprigs, to add interest and texture to the corsage without making it too large.

Thirdly, consider the colour and theme of the wedding shower. You can choose flowers that match the colour scheme or go with a more elegant, themed approach that personifies the bride. Meeting with a florist ahead of time can be helpful to discuss ideas and create something unique to the bride's taste. For example, you could incorporate the bride's favourite flowers or flowers from the first bouquet she received from her fiancé.

Lastly, remember that corsages are not a mandatory part of a bridal shower, and the most important thing is to make the bride feel special. With some planning and attention to detail, you can create a beautiful and meaningful corsage that she will cherish.

Preparing your flowers

Before you begin, make sure the flowers are prepped and ready to work with. Remove any guard petals, excess greenery, and stems. Place the blooms in water until you are ready to make the corsage. For any greenery, trim each sprig down to about three inches.

Once your flowers are prepped, cut the stems off the flowers so that only 1/2 to 1 inch of the stem directly underneath the bud remains. This will make it easier to bend and move the flowers into your desired position. After cutting the stems, wrap wire around them. Start from the top of the bloom and wrap floral tape around the stem twice.

Now you are ready to assemble the primary blooms. Tape all the primary flowers together into one bundle. Then, tape the filler flower stems together in a separate bundle. Bind the two bundles together with wire, trim the ends, and wrap with floral tape.

At this point, your flowers are almost ready to be attached to the wristlet or bracelet. However, it is recommended that you do not make your corsage sooner than the day before your event to keep the flowers at their freshest.

Binding your flowers

Wiring the Flowers:

Start by cutting the flower stems to a length of about 1/2 to 1 inch (1.3 to 2.5 cm) directly underneath the flower bud. This will provide a sturdy base for your corsage. For roses, it is recommended to use a sharp knife instead of scissors to prevent crushing the stems. Remove any thorns that may be present.

Next, take your floral wire and wrap it around the stems. This step will give your flowers flexibility and allow you to bend and position them as desired. Cut two 5-inch (12.7 cm) lengths of wire for each bloom. Push one piece of wire through the base of each flower, and then add a second piece of wire perpendicular to the first, creating an "X" shape. Bend these wires downward, mimicking a new stem.

Taping the Stems:

Now, it's time to secure the wiring with floral tape. Starting at the top, near the base of the flower, wrap the floral tape around the wires, working your way down. It is important to use professional-grade floral tape, as lower-quality tape can become sticky and messy. Stretch the tape slightly as you wrap to help it adhere to itself. Continue taping all of your blooms until you have a secure base.

Attaching the Filler:

Once your primary flowers are bound together, it's time to add some filler. Greenery, baby's breath, or other smaller flowers can be used to fill in the gaps and create a fuller look. Cut the stems of your filler to about 3 inches (7.6 cm) in length. Attach the filler stems to the bound primary flowers using floral wire, and then wrap the entire bundle with floral tape to create a cohesive unit.

Creating the Bow:

To add a finishing touch to your corsage, you can create a bow with ribbon. Cut a length of ribbon, approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch (6 to 12 mm) wide and about 5 to 6 inches (12.5 to 15 cm) long. Form a loop with the ribbon, then twist it at the base to secure it. Create three to four more loops of gradually decreasing size, pinching each loop at its midpoint and securing it with wire. Trim the ends of the wire and cover any sharp edges with floral tape.

Your flowers are now bound and ready for the final assembly of your wedding shower corsage!

Attaching flowers to a wristlet

To attach flowers to a wristlet, you will need:

• 1 to 3 hardy flowers
• 1-2 types of greenery
• A filler flower
• Ribbon
• Shears
• Floral tape and wire
• Floral glue (or hot glue gun)
• Wristlet

Once you have gathered your supplies, follow these steps:

Step 1: Prep your flowers

Ensure that the flowers you have chosen are ready to be worked on. Remove the guard petals, excess greenery, and any unwanted stems. Cut the stems, so only 1/2 to 1 inch of the stem directly underneath the bud remains. Place the blooms in water until you are ready to create the corsage. For any greenery, trim each sprig down to about three inches.

Step 2: Cut and bind

Cut the stems off the flowers, leaving only a short stem underneath the bud. Wrap wire around the stems to make it easier to bend and move the flowers into your desired position. After wrapping with wire, start from the top of the bloom and wrap floral tape around the stem twice.

Step 3: Assemble the primary blooms

Tape all the primary flowers together into one bundle. In a separate bundle, tape the filler flower stems together. Bind these two bundles together with wire, trim the ends, and then wrap with floral tape.

Step 4: Attach flowers to the wristlet

Use florist wire to attach the bundle of flowers to a wristband, bracelet, or wristlet. Ensure that the stem of the flowers is pointing towards the elbow.

Step 5: Attach ribbon

Use one wide ribbon or several smaller ribbons to form a bow. Use wire or glue to hold the bow's shape and adhere it to the bundle of flowers. Adjust the ribbon and flowers as needed to ensure they are secure and comfortable on the wrist.

Tip: It is recommended to make your corsage no sooner than the day before your event to ensure the flowers are fresh and at their best.

Adding a bow

Choosing the Right Ribbon

The first step in creating a bow is selecting the appropriate ribbon. Choose a ribbon that complements the flowers and overall colour scheme of the corsage. It's recommended to use a ribbon that is lightly wired, as this will help the bow hold its shape. The width of the ribbon should be between 1/4" to 1/2" (6 mm to 12 mm) for a corsage. You will need about three feet of ribbon to create the bow.

Creating the Loops

Start by cutting the ribbon to the desired length, leaving a few inches hanging at the end. Pinch the ribbon between your thumb and forefinger. Then, pull the ribbon around your thumb to create the first loop. Secure this loop by pinching it underneath your thumb. Repeat this process, creating three loops on either side of your thumb, with each loop being slightly smaller than the previous one. Remember to pinch each loop at its base to hold it in place.

Securing the Bow

Once you have created all the loops, take some floral wire and wrap it through the loop that was made around your thumb, twisting it to secure the bow. Make sure to wrap the wire around the pinched parts of each loop to hold everything in place. You can also add a boutonnière pin by sticking it through the bow and into the flower arrangement to provide extra security.

Attaching the Bow to the Corsage

Now that your bow is ready, it's time to attach it to the corsage. You can choose to wrap the stems of the flowers with ribbon or leave them exposed. If you decide to wrap the stems, position the bow at the base of the flowers and wrap the ribbon downwards towards the end of the stem. Then, wrap the ribbon back upwards towards the base of the flowers. Secure the ribbon by tying a knot at the base and cutting off any excess. If you prefer not to wrap the stems, simply cut the ribbon, leaving a tail of 1/2" to 2" (4 to 5 cm). Tie the ribbon tightly behind the bouquet, adding florist's tape or hot glue for extra security.

Final Touches

Fluff and adjust the loops of your bow to ensure it looks full and neat. Trim any remaining ribbon ends that may be visible behind the bouquet. Your corsage is now complete! Remember to store it properly, either in a refrigerator (for fresh flowers) or in a cool, dry place (for silk flowers), to ensure it stays fresh and vibrant for the wedding shower.

Frequently asked questions