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

Making a wedding corsage is a fun project for DIY enthusiasts and can save you money. It's simpler than you think, and with a few supplies and easy-to-follow instructions, you can make your own corsage in no time! This introduction will guide you through the process, from choosing the right flowers and materials to assembling them into a beautiful corsage. You'll learn how to create a corsage that is the perfect finishing touch to your wedding ensemble, whether you prefer a traditional look with a bow or a more modern edge. So, get your creative juices flowing and let's dive into the world of wedding corsage-making!

Choosing flowers and materials

When choosing flowers and materials for your wedding corsage, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, consider the size of the person who will be wearing the corsage and scale the size of the corsage accordingly. For example, if the wearer is tiny and petite, opt for smaller flowers like spray roses instead of standard roses. The same goes for the head size of the wearer – spray roses are a better choice for smaller heads.

Secondly, choose flowers that are sturdy and long-lasting. This is especially important if you're making the corsage a few days in advance. Some good options include roses, carnations, baby's breath, billy balls, cremons, and thistle. These flowers are less likely to wilt or get damaged during transportation or pinning.

Thirdly, think about the overall look you want to achieve. Do you want something traditional and frilly, or modern and edgy? Your choice of flowers and materials will depend on the aesthetic you're going for. For a more traditional look, you might choose a sheer pink bow, while for a modern look, you could wrap a bright ribbon around the floral arrangement.

In terms of materials, you'll need a sharp knife or pruning shears, floral wire, floral tape, ribbon, and possibly some glue. The knife or shears are for cutting the flower stems – always cut diagonally and be sure to remove any thorns. Floral wire is used to create a new, more flexible stem, especially for flowers like roses. Floral tape is then wrapped around the wire to secure it in place. Ribbon can be used to create a bow, add a modern touch, or simply to cover the stems. Glue can be helpful for attaching leaves or other decorative elements to the corsage.

Lastly, don't forget to buy your supplies from a reputable source, such as a working warehouse or floral supplier. This will ensure that your materials are of good quality and won't cause any unnecessary difficulties during the corsage-making process.

Preparing flowers

Before you start making your wedding corsage, make sure you have all the flowers and materials you need. It's recommended to buy 20% more flowers than you expect to use. You can buy these from local flower farmers or florists. For a simple yet dramatic effect, plan to use just three or four different kinds of blooms. For a wedding corsage, you could use roses, spray roses, carnations, baby's breath, seeded eucalyptus, Italian Ruscus, Parvafolia, and a sprig of white wax flower.

The night before you plan to make the corsages, cut an inch off the bottom of all the flowers and freshen the water in their buckets. Everything should be well hydrated before you start. When you are ready to make your arrangements, start by preparing the stems. Keep the leaves on the hydrangea stems, but remove the foliage from all the other stems, and then cut them to 13 inches long.

For roses, push a thin wire through the calyx (bulb) of the flower head and bend down to form a new, more slender and flexible stem. Cut the stems off short (about 1" to 1 1/2" below the calyx) with a sharp knife. Scissors can have a hard time cutting through the tough, slippery skin of a rose. Be sure to remove any thorns.

If you are using hydrangeas, use sharp pruners to cut through the stems. For more delicate flowers, use Micro-Tip Floral Snips to easily snip off leaves along the stems.

Creating a bow

Firstly, cut a generous amount of ribbon, approximately three feet in length. You can use any type of ribbon, but a lightly wired one is recommended to help hold its shape. Next, hold the ribbon between your thumb and forefinger, leaving a few inches hanging at one end. Wrap the ribbon around your thumb, then create a loop and pinch it underneath. Repeat this process, making three loops on either side of your thumb, with each loop slightly smaller than the previous one. Remember to pinch the ribbon at the base of each loop to secure it in place.

Once all the loops are made, take some floral wire and wrap it through the largest loop (the one around your thumb), twisting it to secure all the loops together. Then, stick a boutonnière pin through the bow and into the flower arrangement to hide it. You can also use a small amount of floral glue to secure the bow to the corsage. If you are using glue, allow it to become tacky before placing it on the corsage.

Feel free to add your own creative touches to the bow. You can experiment with different types and colours of ribbon, or even add some sparkle spray glitter to make it stand out. Just remember to keep the arrangement light, especially if it will be pinned to a delicate outfit.

Arranging flowers and greenery

When it comes to arranging flowers and greenery for a wedding corsage, there are a few key steps and considerations to keep in mind. Firstly, it's important to choose the right flowers and greenery that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also sturdy and long-lasting. Examples of suitable flowers include roses, carnations, baby's breath, and wax flowers. Greenery options can include Italian Ruscus, Parvafolia, seeded eucalyptus, and ivy.

Once you have selected your flowers and greenery, it's time to start assembling the corsage. One popular method is to wire each flower and leaf separately and then assemble them together in a pleasing pattern. This allows for more flexibility and a more natural look. Use thin floral wire to create new, slender stems for each flower. You can also add decorative elements such as ribbon or tulle at this stage.

When wiring the flowers, push the wire through the calyx (bulb) of the flower head and bend it down to create a new stem. For roses, cut the stems short, about 1" to 1 1/2" below the calyx, using a sharp knife. Remove any thorns and leaves from the stems. You can also add a bit of floral glue to the base of the leaves to secure them in place.

After wiring the flowers and greenery, it's time to start layering and arranging them. Begin by creating a base with your greenery, trimming each sprig to about three inches. You can overlap different types of greenery to add texture and visual interest. Then, add your larger flowers, followed by smaller filler flowers to add volume and fill in any gaps. Play around with the arrangement until you achieve a balanced and aesthetically pleasing composition.

Finally, don't forget to scale the size of the corsage to the wearer. For a smaller head or a petite person, consider using spray roses or smaller flower varieties. Keep in mind that the arrangement should be light and delicate, especially if it will be pinned to a flowy dress, to avoid weighing down the fabric.

Finishing touches

Once you have assembled your flowers and greenery, you can add some final decorative touches to your wedding corsage.

If you are using a ribbon, cut a generous length of about three feet. You can use any kind of ribbon, but a lightly wired ribbon will hold its shape better. Create a loop with the ribbon and pinch it underneath your thumb. Make three loops on either side of your thumb, each one slightly smaller than the last, and pinch the ribbon underneath each time. Secure the loops with floral wire, and then stick a boutonnière pin through the bow and into the flower arrangement. You could also wrap a bright ribbon around the flowers for a more modern look.

If you are pinning the corsage to the wearer's clothing, thread the pin horizontally, not vertically, to keep it in place. For delicate outfits, pin the corsage through the fabric and the wearer's bra strap. You can also add a rubber earring back to the pin to avoid getting stuck.

To keep your flowers fresh, spray them with Professional Glory or Finishing Touch Flower Sealant. Store your corsage in the refrigerator until you are ready to wear it.

Frequently asked questions