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

A wedding shower corsage is a great way to make the bride-to-be feel special. It is not a mandatory part of a traditional or modern bridal shower, but it is a thoughtful gift. Corsages can be made with fresh or silk flowers, or even baby socks, and can be attached to a lapel, wrist, or hair. When choosing flowers, consider the bride's favourite blossom or the first bouquet she received from her fiancé. If you're unsure, white roses are always a safe choice.

Choosing the right flowers

Firstly, consider the bride's favourite flowers. If her favourite flower is in season, it could be the perfect choice for her corsage. If you're unsure about which flowers to use, white roses are always a good option, as they symbolise the bride's purity and virtue. You could also opt for other elegant blooms such as orchids, or go for a playful approach with baby socks rolled up to resemble rosebuds.

If you want to use fresh flowers, it's best to choose blooms that are in season in your area. Seasonal flowers are easier to find and often more affordable. You'll also want to make the corsage within 24 hours of the shower to ensure the flowers stay fresh. Alternatively, you can opt for silk flowers, which can be prepared well in advance.

When it comes to the number of blooms, go for an odd number—one large bloom, three medium blooms, or five small blooms. You can choose the same type of flower in different colours or complementary blooms. For example, you could use daisies in various colours or a mix of different types of daisies.

Remember to select flowers that match the shower's colour scheme or opt for white flowers for a neutral look. If you're feeling creative, you can even add some greenery, such as lily or fern leaves, to complement the blooms.

Making a floral bouquet

Choosing the Flowers and Greenery:

• Select fresh or silk flowers that match the colour scheme of the wedding shower. If you choose fresh flowers, ensure they are in season and prepare the corsage within 24 hours of the event.
• Pick an odd number of blooms, such as one large bloom, three medium blooms, or five small blooms.
• Choose complementary blooms, such as daisies in different colours, and leave about a 3-inch (8 cm) stem on each flower.
• For added interest and texture, select greenery like lily or fern leaves. Choose narrower greenery for a more delicate look and wider leaves for a bolder statement.

Assembling the Bouquet:

• Apply florist wire to the stems of the blooms by poking it into the base and wrapping it loosely around the stems. Cut any excess wire and cover the wired stem with florist's tape.
• Bend the wrapped stems at a 90-degree angle so that the flowers face forward instead of upward.
• Arrange the blooms in a cluster by twisting the wires together and securing them with florist's tape.
• If desired, add filler flowers, such as baby's breath, or other greenery to enhance the bouquet.
• Attach the bouquet to the greenery by twisting the wires together securely and wrapping them with florist's tape.

Creating a Bow:

• Choose a ribbon that complements the colour of the flowers. The ribbon should be about 1/4 to 1/2 inch (6-12 mm) wide.
• Create a loop with the ribbon, about 2/3 the width of the corsage. Twist the loop at the base to secure it.
• Make additional loops on either side of the first loop, each slightly smaller than the previous one, and secure them with twists at the base.
• Hold the loops together by pinching them at their midpoints. Place a wire through the centre of the loops and twist the ends together to secure the bow.
• Cover the twisted wire with florist's tape to protect the wearer from sharp edges.

Attaching the Ribbon to the Bouquet:

• Decide whether to wrap the ribbon around the stems of the bouquet or leave the stems exposed.
• If wrapping the ribbon, start at the base of the flowers and work your way down, then back up, creating a neat, secure finish.
• If not wrapping the stems, cut the ribbon to the desired length, leaving a tail of about 1/2 to 2 inches (4-5 cm). Tie the ribbon tightly behind the bouquet and secure it with florist's tape or hot glue.

Final Touches:

• Trim any excess ribbon so that it is not visible behind the bouquet.
• Stick a florist's pin through the base of the flower stems to secure the corsage.
• Place the finished corsage in a plastic box or resealable bag to protect it until it is ready to be transported and presented to the bride-to-be.
• If using fresh flowers, refrigerate the corsage to keep it fresh. For silk flowers, store it in a cool, dry place away from direct light.

Adding greenery and attaching the bouquet

Choosing and Preparing the Greenery:

• Select three to five pieces of greenery, such as lily or fern leaves. The amount of greenery depends on the width of the leaves—choose five pieces of narrower leaves and three pieces of wider leaves.
• Tape florist's wire to the backs of the leaves, leaving about 3 inches (8 cm) of wire below the leaves. Trim off any excess wire.
• Fan out the tops of the leaves while keeping their bases together to create a fan-shaped design.
• Twist the wires together as if you are braiding them. First, twist the right wire underneath the middle one, then twist the left wire under the middle one. Repeat this step until all the wires are twisted together in a fan shape.
• Cover the twisted wires with florist's tape to avoid any sharp edges that could cause damage or discomfort.

Attaching the Bouquet to the Greenery:

• Attach the bouquet to the greenery. Position the blooms in the centre of the greenery, ensuring that only the tops of the greenery are visible behind the flowers.
• Securely twist the wires together to hold the blooms and greenery in place. Make sure the wires are tightly twisted to avoid any damage.
• Wrap florist's tape around the twisted wire to further secure the connection.

Additional Tips:

• When choosing greenery, consider popular options such as lily leaves and fern leaves, or select varieties that complement your floral arrangement.
• If you desire a fuller bouquet, add filler such as tight buds, greenery, baby's breath, or other less dominant flowers around the main blooms.
• For a unique touch, incorporate kitchen tools, a garter, or other playful items into the corsage, ensuring they match the bride's sense of humour.

Adding a bow

Once you have your flowers and filler ready, it's time to add a bow to your wedding shower corsage. Here is a step-by-step guide to adding a bow:

Choosing the Ribbon

Select a ribbon that is about 1/4" to 1/2" (6 mm to 12 mm) wide. The ribbon should complement the colour of your blooms or be a sheer ribbon. You can also place a sheer ribbon on top of a coloured ribbon and tie them together.

Creating the Loops

Start by cutting a generous amount of ribbon, about three feet, and then pinch the ribbon between your thumb and forefinger, leaving a few inches hanging down at the end. Pull the ribbon around your thumb to create a loop, and pinch it underneath your thumb. Make three more loops on either side of your thumb, each slightly smaller than the previous one, and pinch the ribbon underneath your thumb each time. You should end up with four to six loops.

Securing the Loops

Hold the loops together by pinching each loop at its midpoint. Place the pinched loops against the wire at its midpoint. Use your other hand to bring up the wire ends on either side of your fingers, and press the loops down against the wire with your thumb. Twist the wire ends to secure the loops. You can also wrap some floral wire through the loop made around your thumb and twist to secure everything in place. Tape the twisted wire to cover it and protect the wearer from any sharp edges.

Attaching the Bow

Position the bow at the base of the flower bouquet, and attach it by wrapping a ribbon around the stems or using florist's wire or pin. If you choose to use ribbon, wrap it around the stems, going downward toward the end of the stem, and then back up toward the base of the flower. Cut the ribbon, leaving a length of about 1-1/2 to 2" (4 to 5 cm) at the end. Tie the loose ends of the ribbon together to secure the bow to the bouquet. You can also add a dab of hot glue or florist's tape for extra security.

Attaching the corsage to clothing

Once you've made your wedding shower corsage, you'll need to attach it to the clothing of the person who will be wearing it. Here are some tips on how to do this:

Attaching the Corsage to a Lapel

Choose a straight pin that has a decorative top, such as a pearl, for the best appearance. Hold the corsage against the lapel of the wearer's shirt. If their shirt has no lapel, place the corsage between their shoulder seam and collar. Pull the lapel or fabric forward to ensure that you don't accidentally stick the pin into the wearer's skin. Push the pin into the fabric just above the corsage at a 45-degree angle. Then, push the pin through the tape-wrapped connection of the corsage and back out of the fabric. Finally, push the pin into the fabric just below the corsage, again angling it so that the sharp end is on top of the fabric. Gently tug on the corsage to ensure that it is secure.

Creating a Wrist Corsage

To create a wrist corsage, start by choosing an elastic wristband covered in gathered fabric or ribbon. Cut the elastic to the length of the circumference of the wearer's wrist and stitch the ends together. Find the seam of the wristband and coil the stems of the corsage around it, tying it firmly in place. You can also add a dab of hot glue to the seam to hold the bouquet in place. Trim the ends of the stems as needed to ensure that the wire doesn't poke the wearer's wrist. Slip the elastic wristband and corsage over the wearer's hand; it should rest securely and comfortably around their wrist.

Frequently asked questions