Creating Wedding Corsages: Silk Flowers, Beautiful And Everlasting

Silk flower corsages are a great way to honour and celebrate important women in your life on your wedding day. They can be made well in advance and kept as a memento long after the wedding. To make silk flower corsages, you'll need a combination of main flowers and accent flowers, floral wire, ribbon, embellishments, a hot glue gun, and scissors or wire cutters. First, cut the large blooms off their stems, trim the accent flowers, and arrange them in a cluster with the largest blooms in the centre. Secure the stems with floral tape, then add any desired embellishments, such as pearls or rhinestones, using hot glue. Finally, tie a ribbon around the stems or create a decorative bow.

Choosing the right artificial flowers

Quality

Opt for high-quality silk flowers or realistic-looking artificial blooms. High-quality flowers will ensure that your corsages look elegant and luxurious.

Size

Select small to medium-sized flowers that are proportionate to a corsage. Avoid large blossoms that might overwhelm the design. Remember that a corsage is a small cluster of flowers, so choose blooms that are relatively flat and not too bulky.

Color

Pick colours that complement the wedding outfits or the event's theme. You can choose colours that match the bridesmaids' dresses or the mother of the bride/groom's outfit. Consider a monochromatic colour scheme for a bold and dramatic look.

Style

Choose flowers that fit your overall design vision. You can select a few main flowers and some accent flowers to add interest and texture. Consider using wood flowers, which are eco-friendly, affordable, and easy to customise with wood dye to achieve your desired colour scheme.

Types of Flowers

• Spray roses: Spray roses produce smaller blossoms, making them perfect for corsages. They come in a variety of colours.
• Ranunculus: These flowers have brilliant colours and delicate petals. They are similar to peonies but come in smaller sizes suitable for corsages.
• Wax flower: This flowering shrub produces delicate blooms in pink, white, crimson, or lilac. It is often used as an accent flower.
• Button poms: Miniature chrysanthemums, also known as button poms, are an ideal size for corsages, usually around 1 to 2 inches. They come in circular or spherical shapes and various colours.
• Lisianthus: Lisianthus has bell-shaped blooms that resemble roses. They are known for their hardiness and long-lasting beauty, making them a popular choice for corsages.

Gathering materials and tools

To make silk flower corsages for weddings, you'll need a combination of materials and tools, some of which you may already have on hand. Here's a detailed list of what you'll need to gather:

Flowers and Greenery:

• Silk flowers: Choose a variety of silk flowers in different sizes and styles. Opt for high-quality flowers that look realistic and are relatively flat. Include a few main flowers and some accent flowers to add interest.
• Filler flowers or greenery: Consider adding small filler flowers like baby's breath or ferns to enhance the design.

Ribbons and Embellishments:

• Ribbon: Select a satin or other type of ribbon that complements your flower colours and overall wedding theme. A width of 1.5" is a good standard size.
• Embellishments: Add extra sparkle with pearls, rhinestones, or small charms. These can be glued onto the corsage for a luxurious touch.

Tools and Adhesives:

• Hot glue gun and glue sticks: You'll need a hot glue gun to secure the flowers and embellishments. Make sure to have enough glue sticks on hand.
• Floral tape: Use green floral tape to wrap the stems and secure the flowers together.
• Wire cutters: These will be useful for cutting thick stems and trimming flower stems to the desired length.
• Scissors: Keep a pair of sharp scissors handy for trimming accent flowers and any other necessary adjustments.
• Floral wire (22-26 gauge): Floral wire is used to secure the flowers together and create a sturdy base for your corsage.

Once you've gathered all of these materials and tools, you'll be ready to start crafting your silk flower corsages. Remember to take your time, be patient, and enjoy the process of creating these special wedding accessories!

Prepping the flowers

To prep the flowers for your silk flower corsages, you'll need to start by selecting the right artificial flowers. Opt for high-quality silk flowers that resemble real ones, in small or medium sizes. Choose colours that match your wedding colour scheme or the outfits of the people who will be wearing the corsages. You'll want to have a variety of flowers, including a few main flowers and some accent flowers. It's best to go for varieties that are relatively flat.

Once you have your flowers, you'll need to trim the stems. Use wire cutters for thick stems. Cut the large blooms off the stems, ensuring that the bottom of the flower is as flat as possible. Trim the accent flowers from their main stems, keeping some of the small stems intact. Cut the stems until you're left with around two to three inches.

Now you're ready to start assembling your corsages! Arrange your flowers in a cluster, with the largest blooms in the centre and the smaller flowers surrounding them. Play around with the height and placement of the flowers to create a balanced and visually appealing design.

Assembling the corsage

Now that you have selected your flowers and gathered your tools, it is time to assemble your silk flower corsage. Start by arranging your flowers in a cluster, with the largest blooms in the centre and smaller flowers and greenery surrounding them. Be sure to vary the height and placement of the flowers to create a balanced and visually appealing design. You can also add in some accent flowers, keeping some of their small stems intact, to give the corsage more depth.

Once you are satisfied with the arrangement, use floral wire to secure the flowers together. Wrap the wire around the base of the flowers and then continue wrapping down the stems, ensuring the wire is tight and evenly spaced. Cover the wire with green floral tape for a seamless and professional finish.

If you are using leaves, place them under the flowers and wrap their stems together with the flower stems. You can add a couple of drops of hot glue to secure the top flowers to the leaves if you wish.

Adding embellishments and finishing touches

Once you are happy with the arrangement and have securely fastened your silk flowers, it's time to add some embellishments and finishing touches to your wedding corsage.

First, use ribbon to create a bow or decorative loops to accent your corsage. Attach the ribbon to the corsage with a hot glue gun, making sure it is firmly in place. You can also tie a ribbon around the bottom of the corsage, under the bottom flower, for decoration. This can be a big bow or a simple knot with short tails—or any other style you prefer.

Next, add any other embellishments, such as pearls, rhinestones, or small charms, using hot glue. Be creative and experiment with different placements and combinations to achieve your desired look. You can also add pearl pins or other decorations and secure them to the corsage with floral tape or hot glue.

Finally, cut off any extra wire or tape at the bottom of the corsage. Finish by wrapping the end of the stem with ribbon or more floral tape.

Frequently asked questions