Creating Wedding Corsages: A Step-By-Step Guide

Corsages are small bouquets of flowers worn at weddings, formal dances, and proms. They add an accent to the dress and bring a festive feel to the occasion. The modern use of the word corsage comes from the French word bouquet de corsage, meaning a bouquet of a bodice. Corsages can be pinned on shoulders, tied around the wrist, neck, or ankle, or used to adorn hair or handbags. This article will provide a step-by-step guide on how to make a corsage for a wedding.

Choosing flowers and materials

When choosing flowers and materials for your wedding corsage, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, think about the colour scheme and theme of your wedding. You may want to choose flowers that complement the colours of the bridal party's outfits or the overall decor of the venue. For example, if you have a pink dress, you could opt for shades of pink and white or even some purples for contrast.

Additionally, consider the size and type of flowers you want to use. A traditional corsage typically features a single base flower with fillers, greenery, and a cute ribbon. If you want something more modern or bold, you can add elements like pearls and beading or choose tropical flowers such as orchids, Anthuriums, and Calla lilies, which naturally come in bright colours and unique shapes. You can also play around with different textures and shapes to add interest to your corsage.

When selecting flowers, it's important to choose ones that will last through the day and remain sturdy. This will ensure they don't get squished or accidentally ruined during transportation or pinning. Some flower options that fit this description include poppies, myrtle stems, Queen Anne's Lace, Bupleurum, and roses.

In terms of materials, you will need floral tape, wire, and ribbon. The ribbon should be light and wired, so it holds its shape. You can choose a colour that matches or complements the flowers and outfits. Additionally, you will need a wristlet or pins to secure the corsage to the wearer's wrist or outfit. Wristlets can be simple elastic bands or more elaborate, featuring jewels, pearls, and stones.

Preparing flowers

The first step in preparing flowers for a wedding corsage is to choose the right blooms. Select flowers that are sturdy and can survive being made in advance, such as poppies, orchids, Anthuriums, and Calla lilies. You can also use non-floral materials like ribbon and wire.

Next, you'll need to cut the flower stems. Leave about 2-4 inches of the stem intact, depending on the size of your corsage and the type of flower. If you're using filler flowers or greenery, cut these stems to a slightly shorter length to add dimension to your arrangement.

Once the stems are cut, it's time to start assembling your corsage. Group the flowers together and secure them with floral tape. This will help to keep the arrangement intact and make it easier to attach to the wristlet or pin.

At this point, you can also add any ribbon or wire embellishments. Thread the ribbon through the flowers and secure it with floral tape, or use wire to create a more structured look. You can also add beads, pearls, or other decorative elements to your corsage for extra flair.

Finally, trim any uneven ends and add any final touches to your arrangement. Use floral tape to hold everything together and ensure that your corsage is secure.

With these steps, you'll be well on your way to creating a beautiful and personalised wedding corsage.

Creating a bow

To start the corsage bow, take a generous amount of ribbon (about three feet) and cut. You can use any kind of ribbon, but something lightly wired is recommended as it will hold its shape better. Next, pinch the ribbon between your thumb and forefinger, leaving a few inches hanging down at the end. Then, pull the ribbon around your thumb. Once the ribbon is around your thumb, create a loop with the ribbon and pinch it underneath your thumb. To create the rest of the ribbon, make three loops like this on either side of your thumb, each a little smaller than the previous one, pinching the ribbon underneath your thumb each time you make a loop. Once your three loops are made, take some floral wire and wrap it through the loop that was made around your thumb and twist. If you’ve pinched the ribbon with each loop you’ve made, the floral wire will wrap around the pinched part and secure everything in place. Then take a boutonnière pin and stick it through your bow and up into the poppy pod to hide it.

If you’re adding a bow to a wrist corsage, tie the remaining ends of the lace ribbon around the cuff to hold it in place.

Arranging flowers and greenery

Selecting the Flowers and Greenery:

Start by choosing your focal flowers, which are the main blooms that will stand out in your corsage. You can select one or two types of focal flowers. Then, pick some filler flowers, which are smaller blooms that fill in the gaps and add texture to your arrangement. Don't forget to include lateral greenery, such as myrtle stems or other long lines of foliage. These will form the base of your corsage.

Preparing the Flowers and Greenery:

Cut the stems of your chosen flowers and greenery to a uniform length, leaving about 1.5 to 2 inches. Remove any leaves or foliage from the lower half of each stem to make room for the floral tape and ribbon. You can also wire the flowers for added security, especially if you want them to last through the night. Cut floral wire to a length of about 6 to 8 inches and insert it through the stem just below the flower. Pull it through, and then wrap floral tape tightly around the stem and wire to secure them together.

Creating the Corsage:

Now it's time to assemble your corsage! Start by layering one to two stems of greens behind your focal flower(s) and secure them together with floral tape. Then, add your filler flowers to fill in the gaps and create dimension. Secure each addition with floral tape. Continue layering greenery, focal flowers, and fillers until you achieve your desired look. You can also add a bow made from ribbon to accent the bouquet. Position it in the middle of your arrangement and secure it with tape.

Finishing Touches:

Once you're happy with your flower and greenery arrangement, finish it off by wrapping the stems with ribbon. Start at the bottom of the taped stems and wrap upwards until you reach the base of the flowers. Tie the ribbon in a knot to secure it. Finally, attach your corsage to a wristlet or pins, depending on your preference. For a wrist corsage, tie or glue the bouquet to a flower bracelet or wristlet. For a pin-on corsage, simply add a pin to the ribbon-tied stems.

Finishing touches

Now that you've assembled your flowers into a beautiful arrangement, it's time to add the final flourishes to your wedding corsage. Here are some ideas for finishing touches:

Embellishments

Add some sparkle to your corsage with embellishments such as pearls, rhinestones, or small charms. Get creative and experiment with different placements and combinations to achieve the desired look. These can be attached using a hot glue gun.

Ribbons

Ribbons can be used to create a bow or decorative loops to accent your corsage. Attach the ribbon using glue, wire, or floral tape. If you want to hold the shape of the bow better, opt for a lightly wired ribbon.

Glitter

Add some extra glamour to your corsage with a spray of glitter. A design master sparkle spray glitter can be used to give your corsage a magical touch.

Greenery

Enhance the overall design of your corsage by adding some greenery or filler flowers, such as baby's breath or ferns. This will add texture and visual interest to your arrangement.

Wristlet

If you're making a wrist corsage, choose a wristlet that complements your design and matches the style of the outfit and event. You can attach the corsage to the wristlet using hot glue, floral wire, or a combination of both for added stability.

Size

Remember to scale the size of the corsage to the person who will be wearing it. For a smaller head size or a tiny, petite person, consider using spray roses instead of standard roses.

With these finishing touches, your wedding corsage will be truly special and unique.

Frequently asked questions