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

Wedding corsages can be made with fresh or artificial flowers, or even non-floral materials such as jewellery. The process is similar to making a boutonnière, but with a few extra flourishes. The basic structure is the same, and you can add a bow or a bright ribbon to give it a modern edge. Corsages can be attached to the wrist with a slap bracelet, or pinned to the outfit.

Choosing flowers

Colour and Style

Begin by considering the colour scheme and style of your wedding. If you have a specific colour palette, try to choose flowers that complement those colours. For instance, if you have a pink theme, shades of pink, white, and even purples can create a beautiful contrast. You can also opt for a monochromatic style by sticking to one colour with different flowers and textures.

Size and Variety

Select flowers that are small and dainty, such as spray roses and ranunculus. These delicate blooms will ensure your corsage doesn't look too bulky or overwhelming. However, if you want to make a bold statement, consider adding tropical flowers like orchids, Anthuriums, and Calla lilies, which naturally come in bright colours and unique shapes.

Durability

When choosing flowers for a wedding corsage, it's essential to consider their durability. Select flowers that are sturdy and can withstand being made into a corsage a few days in advance. This will ensure they don't get squished or accidentally ruined during transportation or pinning.

Personalisation

To make your corsage even more special, consider incorporating flowers that have a personal meaning for you. Whether it's your favourite flower, your partner's favourite colour, or a flower that holds sentimental value, adding these touches will make your corsage unique and memorable.

Seasonality

Take into account the season of your wedding. Using flowers that are in season will ensure they are at their freshest and most vibrant. For example, if you're having a summer wedding, sunflowers, peonies, and dahlias might be a perfect choice, while for a winter wedding, holly, poinsettias, or amaryllis could add a festive touch.

Remember, your corsage should reflect your personality and style. Don't be afraid to get creative and experiment with different flowers, colours, and textures to achieve the look you desire.

Using glue

To begin creating your corsage, you'll need to gather your flowers and other materials. For a classic look, choose 1-3 hardy flowers, such as roses, and add some greenery and filler flowers for a more dynamic arrangement. Prepare your flowers by removing any guard petals and excess greenery, then trim the stems, leaving only 0.5 to 1 inch of the stem directly under the bud. Place the blooms in water until you're ready to assemble your corsage.

When you're ready to start crafting, cut a small piece of cardboard, roughly 2 inches long, and apply glue to the back using your chosen adhesive. Cut a long piece of ribbon (about 2 feet) and attach the glued cardboard to the ribbon, positioning it about 3 inches from one end. This will serve as the base for your corsage.

Now, it's time to attach your flowers. Take each flower and add a small amount of greenery, wrapping them together with floral tape. Do this for each flower, ensuring you don't create a bulky arrangement. Cut the stems of the assembled flower/greenery pieces to a length of 1 to 2 inches. Using floral wire, tie these pieces together to form a mini bouquet that will fit nicely on the wrist.

Finally, add glue to the other side of the cardboard and attach your flower arrangement. Hold it in place for a few seconds to ensure a secure bond. And there you have it—a beautiful, glue-based wedding corsage!

Adding a bow

If you want to add a bow to a wrist corsage, you can use a 1/2-inch ribbon to hide any zip ties or mechanics. Glue a centre bud to the middle of the ribbon, then wrap it around the flowers, gluing on small bits of greenery and flowers as you go. Finish by gluing the ribbon to a bracelet.

Attaching to clothing

When attaching your corsage to clothing, there are a few methods you can use to ensure it stays put. Firstly, consider the weight of the corsage and the type of fabric it will be attached to. If the corsage is heavy and the fabric is delicate, such as a flowy mother-of-the-bride dress, keep the arrangement light to avoid putting too much strain on the dress.

The most common way to attach a corsage is by using a pin. The trick to keeping the corsage secure is to thread the pin horizontally, rather than vertically, through the fabric. For extra security, especially with delicate outfits, you can pin the corsage through the fabric and the wearer's bra strap. If you're concerned about the sharpness of the pin, you can place a rubber earring back on the end near the skin to prevent any poking.

Another method for attaching a corsage to clothing is by using a slap bracelet, tiny zip ties, and a hot glue gun. This technique is ideal for wrist corsages and ensures they stay put, even during energetic dancing! Simply use the zip ties to secure the flowers to the slap bracelet, then cover the mechanics with ribbon and glue on some extra flowers or greenery for a seamless look.

Non-floral alternatives

There are several ways to make a non-floral wedding corsage. One option is to use silk flowers, which can be found at most craft stores, including Hobby Lobby, and even on Amazon. You can also use other materials such as ribbon, rope, or a bracelet to create a unique and elegant wrist corsage.

For a simple and elegant look, try making a ribbon wrist corsage. You will need a ribbon that is wide enough to cover your wrist, a felt square of the same width, and a flower of your choice. Carefully glue a flower of your choice onto the felt square, and then glue or sew the ribbon to the square so that it can be tied around your wrist.

If you're looking for something more durable, you can create a felt flower wrist corsage. For this project, you will need a ribbon and three different felt flowers with a few felt leaves. Attach the flowers and leaves to the ribbon, and then tie the ribbon around your wrist. This type of corsage can be used over and over again for special occasions.

Another option is to make a corsage necklace, ring, or bracelet using natural leaves and flowers. You can use hellebores, astrantia, or other natural elements to create a unique and eco-friendly corsage.

If you're looking for a more modern look, you can wrap a bright ribbon around a floral arrangement instead of using a traditional bow. This gives the corsage a bit of an edge while still incorporating flowers.

For a unique and eye-catching look, you can experiment with unusual materials such as feathers or lace. You can also combine different types of artificial flowers, such as silk and paper, to add texture and visual interest.

Frequently asked questions