Creating Wedding Corsages And Boutonnieres: A Simple Guide

Corsages and boutonnieres are small flower arrangements that hold significant meaning at weddings. They are traditionally worn by VIPs and important guests, such as the parents and grandparents of the couple, to honour their role in the couple's life. While not mandatory, they are a great way to recognise and honour special guests. Making your own corsages and boutonnieres can be a fun and simple DIY project that will save you money and add a personal touch to your wedding. This guide will teach you how to make these special flower arrangements and prepare for your big day.

Choosing flowers and colours to match the wedding party's outfits

When choosing flowers and colours for corsages and boutonnieres, it's important to consider the wedding party's outfits to create a cohesive and visually appealing look. Here are some tips to help you match the flowers and colours with the wedding party's attire:

Complementary Colours and Styles:

It is generally recommended to choose flowers that complement the colours and styles of the wedding party's outfits. For example, if the bridesmaid dresses are in warm tones, opt for flowers in soft pastels or rich earthy tones. You can either create a unified look with similar bouquets for the bride and bridesmaids or add slight variations to distinguish the bride.

Colour Harmony:

Consider the colour of the wedding dress when selecting flowers. A white or ivory gown will work with any colour palette. For off-white or champagne dresses, choose warm shades like peach, blush, or soft pastels. If your dress has coloured accents, such as a sash or embroidery, incorporate those colours into your bouquet for a cohesive touch.

Style and Silhouette:

Take into account the style and silhouette of the wedding dress. For a romantic, flowing gown, opt for loose, cascading bouquets with soft flowers like roses, peonies, or hydrangeas. If the dress is sleek and modern, select a structured bouquet with contemporary flowers like calla lilies or orchids.

Harmonious Look:

While an exact match is not necessary, achieving a harmonious look with the bridesmaids' dresses is essential. Consider the overall colour scheme and select flowers that complement the attire. If the dresses are in a single colour, opt for flowers in a complementary shade. If the bridesmaid dresses feature multiple colours, select flowers that incorporate those hues.

Durability:

When creating boutonnieres, choose durable flowers that can withstand the celebrations and hugging throughout the wedding. Opt for sturdy flowers that are less likely to get squished or ruined during pinning and transportation.

Personalisation:

Remember that corsages and boutonnieres are traditionally worn by VIPs and honoured guests. You can personalise the floral arrangements to match the personalities and preferences of the wedding party members. For a modern touch, consider using non-floral materials or adding a bow to the corsage.

Selecting the right tools and materials

Flowers and Greenery:

The first step is to choose the right flowers and greenery for your corsages and boutonnieres. Select flowers that are in season and complement your wedding colour palette. You can choose from a variety of options, such as roses, hydrangeas, orchids, dahlias, baby's breath, and more. Consider ordering flowers in bulk to save time and money. Don't forget to include some lateral greenery, such as myrtle stems, to create a beautiful backdrop for your focal flowers.

Floral Supplies:

To create your floral arrangements, you will need some essential floral supplies. Here is a list of recommended tools:

• Floral tape: This is used to secure the stems of your flowers and greenery together.
• Florist's wire: Florist's wire is useful for creating false stems for leaves and providing extra support for your arrangements.
• Corsage pins: These pins are specifically designed for attaching corsages to clothing or wristlets.
• Ribbon: Choose a pretty ribbon to wrap around the stems of your boutonnieres and corsages, adding a stylish touch. Consider using lightly wired ribbon for corsage bows, as it holds its shape better.

Cutting Tools:

Sharp and reliable cutting tools will make it easier to create your floral arrangements. Here are some recommendations:

• Pruners: A good pair of pruners, such as the Fiskars PowerGear2™, will effortlessly cut through woody stems and help you prepare the stems of your flowers.
• Micro-tip floral snips: These are ideal for quick cuts on smaller, more delicate stems.
• Sturdy, all-purpose shears: These will come in handy for cutting through medium-sized stems and ribbon.

Planning and Timing:

Timing is crucial when working with fresh flowers. Plan to set aside a morning, preferably two days before the wedding, to create all your floral arrangements. This will ensure that your flowers are fresh and vibrant for the big day. Order your flowers well in advance, and buy about 20% more than you expect to use to account for any last-minute needs.

With the right tools, materials, and timing, you'll be well on your way to creating beautiful corsages and boutonnieres for your wedding.

Creating a basic structure for the corsage or boutonnière

First, gather your supplies. You will need flowers and greens, floral tape, florist's wire, corsage pins, and ribbon. For a boutonnière, you will also need a boutonnière pin. For a wrist corsage, you will need a wristlet.

Next, cut the stems of your flowers and greenery to 1.5 inches in length. Remove the leaves from the bottom half of the stems to make room for the floral tape.

Then, place one to two stems of lateral greenery behind your focal flower and secure with tape. Add a stem of filler between the greenery and the flower, and secure with more tape. Continue layering greenery, focal flowers, and filler until you achieve your desired look. Tape all the stems together, leaving the bottom half of the stems exposed.

Finally, wrap the taped stems in ribbon. Start at the bottom and wrap until you reach the base of the flowers. Tie off with a knot and stick with a pin.

Adding a bow or ribbon for a modern or frilly look

Adding a bow or ribbon to your corsage or boutonnière is a great way to achieve a modern or frilly look. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you add that extra touch of elegance to your wedding floral arrangements:

For Corsages:

• Choose your ribbon: Select a ribbon that complements the colour palette of your flowers and overall wedding theme. The ribbon should be about 1/4" to 1/2" (6 mm to 12 mm) wide.
• Create the loops: Cut a piece of wire about 5 to 6 inches (12.5 to 15 cm) long and lay it on a flat surface. Make a loop about 2/3 the width of your corsage, then twist it at the base for added security. Repeat this process, creating 4 to 6 loops on each side of the wire.
• Secure the loops: Hold the loops together by pinching each loop at its midpoint and placing them against the wire. Bring the wire ends up and press the loops down with your thumb. Twist the wire ends to secure the loops in place.
• Tape the wire: Cover the twisted wire with floral tape to protect the wearer from any sharp edges and to give a neat finish.
• Attach the bow: Decide whether you want to wrap the stem of your corsage with ribbon or leave the stems exposed. If wrapping with ribbon, start from the base of the flower and work downwards, then back upwards towards the base. Cut the ribbon, leaving a 1- to 2-inch (4 to 5 cm) tail. Secure the bow by tying the ribbon ends tightly behind the bouquet.
• Trim the ribbon: Ensure that any remaining ribbon ends are neatly trimmed and not visible behind the bouquet.

For Boutonnières:

• Select a ribbon: Choose a ribbon that complements the colours of your boutonnière and the overall wedding theme.
• Create a tiny bow: Make a simple bow by looping the ribbon back and forth to create three loops on each side. Secure the centre of the bow with your finger.
• Secure the bow: Snip off the excess ribbon at an angle and use the excess to tie a knot around the centre of the loops. Leave a 1-inch (2.5 cm) tail on either side of the bow.
• Attach the bow: Add the bow to the boutonnière just below the blossoms for a touch of couture. Secure it with floral tape or hot glue, depending on the material of your flowers.

By following these steps, you can easily add a bow or ribbon to your corsages and boutonnières, creating a modern or frilly look that will impress your wedding guests!

Finishing touches: attaching the arrangement to a wristlet or pin

When creating a wrist corsage, attach your arrangement to a wristlet. If your wristband comes with attached strings, tie these to the middle of the flower arrangement, and then at the bottom.

When creating a pin-on corsage, add a pin to your ribbon-tied stems. The secret to getting your corsage to stay put is to thread the corsage pin horizontally when affixing to your clothes, not vertically. For delicate outfits, try pinning it through the fabric and your bra strap. If you're worried about getting stuck by a pin, put a rubber earring back on the sticky part, close to your skin.

Corsages can also be tied to the wrist with a ribbon. This is often preferred if the wearer's dress is heavily beaded or delicate, to avoid damage.

Boutonnieres are usually pinned to the left lapel of a suit jacket or attached directly to the shirt, above the heart. They can be tricky to pin on, but your wedding planner, venue coordinator, or floral designer can assist you.

Frequently asked questions