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

Wrist corsages are a fashionable accessory for formal and semi-formal occasions, including weddings. Making your own wrist corsage is a fun DIY project that can save you money and allow you to design a unique, thoughtful accessory for yourself or someone else. In this article, we will guide you through the process of creating your own wrist corsage, from choosing the right flowers and materials to assembling and attaching the corsage. We will also offer tips and tricks to ensure your corsage looks elegant and stays fresh.

Choosing flowers and filler flowers

Choosing the right flowers for your wedding wrist corsage is a fun but important part of the process. You'll want to select flowers that are sturdy and can hold up to some wear and tear throughout the day. Roses, orchids, lilies, and gardenias are all popular choices for their beauty and durability. When selecting your flowers, opt for blooms that are close to fully flowering, and be sure to keep them in water before you make the corsage.

In addition to your primary blooms, you'll also want to choose a filler flower to add fullness and highlight the colour of your main flowers. Baby's breath, also known as gypsophila, is a common choice for filler flowers. You can also add some greenery to your corsage for extra colour and texture. When selecting your greenery, trim each sprig down to about three inches.

The number of flowers you choose will depend on their size, but most wrist corsages have between three and five blooms. If you're using larger flowers, one or two blooms may be enough. It's important not to choose flowers that are too large, as they will start to droop or twist.

If you're making your own wrist corsage, it's best to do it no sooner than the day before your event to keep the flowers as fresh as possible. Be sure to store your finished corsage in a cool place, such as the refrigerator, to extend the life of the flowers.

Selecting a wristband

Buying a Corsage Bracelet

You can buy a bracelet specifically designed for a wrist corsage. This is a convenient option if you want a ready-made solution.

Making a Band from Ribbon or Lace

Another option is to make your own band using ribbon or lace. Choose a material that coordinates with the flowers and the outfit of the person who will be wearing the corsage. Cut a length of ribbon or lace that is long enough to wrap around the wrist, leaving a bit of slack for comfort. You can also add a few extra inches on each end to create a hanging effect.

Using an Existing Bracelet

If you have any old bracelets lying around, you can upcycle them for your wrist corsage. Braided or corded jewellery works best, as they provide a good surface for the hot glue to grip onto. This option allows you to incorporate the "something old" tradition into your wedding flowers.

Other Options

You can also get creative and choose any band that fits snugly on your wrist. Just make sure that it is comfortable and does not cut off circulation.

Cutting and binding flowers

Cutting and binding the flowers is a crucial step in making a wedding wrist corsage. Here is a detailed guide:

Firstly, cut the flower stems to the appropriate length. Leave about 1/2 to 1 inch (1.3 to 2.5 cm) of the stem directly underneath the flower bud. You can use wire cutters or scissors to cut the stems, ensuring they are all of equal length. If any flowers have too-short stems, add some wire to lengthen them.

Next, bind each flower stem with floral wire and tape. This step will allow you to bend and position the flowers as desired. Start wrapping the tape from the top of the stems and work your way down. The tape should be wrapped diagonally, similar to the stripes on a barber pole. Make two rounds with the floral tape to completely cover the stems.

Now, assemble the primary flowers. Use floral tape to bind the main flowers together into one bundle. The taping method remains the same—wrap the tape diagonally around the stems. If you are using filler flowers, tape their stems together separately in the same way.

Finally, bind the two bundles together with florist wire. Trim the ends of the wire and then wrap the bound stems with floral tape. This completes the cutting and binding process for your wedding wrist corsage.

Attaching flowers to the wristband

Now that you have your flowers ready, it's time to attach them to the wristband. You can use florist wire to attach the bundle of flowers to a wristband, bracelet, or wristlet. The stems of the flowers should point towards the elbow. You can also use floral glue or a hot glue gun to secure the flowers to the wristband. If you are using glue, be sure to hold the flowers and wristband together until the glue sets.

If you are using a ribbon as your wristband, you can make a small slit in the ribbon so that a bit of the flower stem sticks through. You can then use pins or floral wire to secure the flower to the ribbon. Another option is to thread the ribbon through the loops of floral wire and then place the prepared flower on top, lining up the lengths of wire and taping them together.

If you are using a bracelet, you can use hot glue or floral tape to secure the flowers to the bracelet. You can also try upcycling old jewellery by incorporating it into your wrist corsage. Braided or corded jewellery works best, as it gives the glue something to grip onto.

Adding the finishing touches

Now that your wrist corsage is almost complete, it's time to add the finishing touches!

Firstly, you'll want to attach your mini bouquet to your wristband, bracelet, or ribbon. Using a hot glue gun, secure the flowers onto your chosen wrist piece. Hold the two together until the glue sets. If you're using an old bracelet, one with a braided or corded design will work best, as this gives the glue something to grip onto.

If you're using a ribbon, you can form a bow with it. Take several strands of thin ribbon, or one strand of wide ribbon, and make six loops around your hand. Cut the ends at an angle, slip the ribbon off your hand, and then tie another section of ribbon around the centre of the loops. Start with the innermost loop, slide it out, and give the ribbon a twist to the left. Pull out the next loop and twist it to the right. Continue pulling out the loops and alternating the twists until both sides of the bow are out. Hold the cut ends and shake the bow slightly to puff it up. Then, attach the bow to your wristband or bracelet using florist wire.

Finally, make any necessary adjustments to ensure your wrist corsage fits comfortably. It should fit snugly on your wrist without cutting off circulation.

Frequently asked questions