Creating Wedding Corsages For Mothers: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wedding corsages are a great way to honour mothers and make them stand out at a wedding ceremony, reception, and in photos. While fresh flower wrist corsages are traditional, there are many other ways to make your mom feel special on your big day. From floral necklaces and hair accessories to embellished brooches and clutch bag floral sprays, the options are endless. You can even create DIY corsages out of silk flowers or use alternative materials like feathers or dried flowers. Ultimately, it's your wedding, and you can choose to include or skip the corsage altogether!

Corsage Bracelets

Planning

Before you begin, it's important to decide on a colour theme. Choose colours that complement each other, the dress or suit, and the wedding theme. You'll want to select sturdy flowers that can hold up to some wear and tear, such as roses or lilies. In addition, choose a filler flower, such as baby's breath, to add fullness to the overall corsage.

Materials

You will need the following materials:

• Flowers
• Filler flowers
• A bracelet or wristband
• Floral wire and tape
• Ribbon
• Hot glue gun
• Wire cutters or scissors

Step-by-Step Guide

• Cut the flower stems short, leaving about 1/2 to 1 inch under the bud.
• Bind each flower stem with floral wire and tape.
• Tape the primary flowers together in a bundle, then tape the filler flowers in a separate bundle.
• Bind the two bundles together and attach any trinkets or accents.
• Attach the bracelet or wristband to the group of flowers with floral wire.
• Form a bow out of ribbon and attach it to the bracelet with floral wire.
• Adjust the bracelet to fit snugly on the wrist.

Tips

• If you're short on time, you can also purchase premade wrist corsages or use silk flowers.
• You can use old bracelets or jewellery to incorporate the "something old" tradition into your wedding flowers.
• If you're using real flowers, make the corsage no more than 1-2 days in advance and store it in a cool place to prevent wilting.

Boutonnières

A wedding boutonnière is a floral accessory that is traditionally displayed on the lapel of a jacket. It is a great way to make your wedding's floral design entirely cohesive. You may opt to have just the groom wear a boutonnière, or you may choose to make several so all of the men involved in the wedding can don them, including the groomsmen and any male family members.

To make a boutonnière, you will need the following materials:

• Flowers of your choice
• A few flat green leaves (optional)
• Floral stem cutter or floral snips
• Floral tape
• Ribbon (optional)

• Start by trimming down your flowers and removing any leaves surrounding the bud. Leave about an inch of stem so you have something to pin the boutonnière to the suit.
• Layer the flowers and greenery as desired. Position them roughly how you want them to sit as your boutonnière.
• Use floral tape to wrap the flowers together tightly. If you don't like the look of floral tape, you can cover it with ribbon and secure it with a small piece of tape or a dab of hot glue at the back.
• Store your boutonnières in the fridge overnight, or leave them in a shallow cup of water if you are making them the night before.
• Don't forget to assign someone to pin the boutonnières on your groom and groomsmen!

Floral Hair Accessories

Floral Hair Combs

To create a floral hair comb, start by choosing a comb that suits the weight and thickness of your hair. If you have thin hair, opt for a smaller comb and lighter, smaller flowers. For thick hair, select a larger comb that can support more flowers. You will also need floral wire, wire cutters, and floral tape (optional).

Begin by securing the wire to the comb, using pliers to tuck the sharp end under itself, ensuring the cut ends are on the top of the comb to avoid scratching your head. Attach your base elements, usually some greenery like fern leaves, by wrapping the wire around the comb and leaves.

Floral Hair Clips

If the mother of the bride or groom plans to wear their hair pulled back or up on one side, a floral hair clip can be a beautiful addition. Provide your florist with sturdy hair clips, and they can decorate them with flowers or greenery to match the bridal bouquet.

Floral Hair Pins

Floral hair pins are a delicate and elegant way to add flowers to your hairstyle. You can find these in various styles, from simple pins with a single flower to more intricate designs with pearls, crystals, and leaves.

Flower Crowns

For a whimsical and romantic look, a flower crown is a perfect choice. These are especially fitting for outdoor, boho, or rustic weddings. You can find flower crowns made from various materials, including fresh flowers, dried flowers, or artificial flowers.

Floral Headbands

Floral headbands are a variation of the flower crown, often featuring delicate flowers, pearls, and crystals on a thin headband. They are a beautiful choice for mothers who want something more subtle yet still eye-catching.

Hair Vines

Hair vines are a trendy choice for weddings, offering an elegant and whimsical look. They come in various styles, from simple vines with flowers to more intricate designs with pearls, crystals, and leaves. Hair vines can be worn in different ways, such as across the forehead, as a headband, or wrapped around an updo.

These ideas provide a range of options to suit different styles and preferences. Whether you prefer fresh flowers, dried flowers, or artificial flowers, there are numerous ways to incorporate them into your wedding hairstyle.

Brooches

When creating brooch corsages, you can get creative and use a variety of materials such as silk flowers, feathers, pearls, crystals, or rhinestones. You can even incorporate meaningful trinkets and personal items to make the corsage extra special. For example, one mother of the bride mentioned that she had a corsage made from personal trinkets and a peacock feather to match her daughter's 1950s-inspired wedding dress.

Another option is to use ribbon to create rosette corsages or to attach the brooch to a ribbon wristlet. This can be a more comfortable option than pins and avoid any damage to the outfit. You can also offer the mothers a choice between a pinned corsage and a wrist corsage to ensure they feel comfortable and happy with their choice.

DIY Corsages

Corsages are a great way to make the mothers of the bride and groom feel special on the big day. While you can always order them from a florist, making them yourself can be a fun project and a great way to save money. Here's a step-by-step guide to creating beautiful DIY wedding corsages for mothers:

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

You'll need some basic supplies to create your corsages. Here's a list of what you'll need:

• Flowers: Choose flowers that complement the wedding colour palette or the mothers' dresses. You can use fresh flowers or artificial flowers like silk or dried flowers.
• Greenery: Add some greenery, such as baby's breath or eucalyptus, to give the corsages a natural touch.
• Ribbon: Select ribbons that match the wedding colours or the ribbons used in the bridal bouquet.
• Wristbands: You can use stretchy wristbands, or for a more modern look, choose bracelets with a flexible rubber mount or metallic bands.
• Floral wire and tape: These will help secure the flowers and greenery together.
• Scissors: To cut the flowers and ribbon to the desired length.
• Embellishments (optional): You can add crystals, pearls, or rhinestones for a touch of glamour.

Step 2: Prepare the Flowers

Start by preparing your flowers. Cut the stems to a manageable length, leaving enough to work with. Strip off any leaves that will be below the ribbon or wristband. If using fresh flowers, cut the stems at an angle and place them in water for a few hours before assembling the corsages to keep them hydrated.

Step 3: Create the Base

Take your ribbon or wristband and wrap it around your hand to get a comfortable length. Secure the ends with floral tape, leaving a loop that can be slipped onto the wrist. If using a wristband, stretch it to fit comfortably and attach the ends together.

Step 4: Assemble the Corsage

Start by taping or wiring a few pieces of greenery to the base. Then, add your focal flowers. Tape or wire them securely to the base, positioning them so they face upward. Continue adding flowers and greenery until you achieve the desired fullness. You can also add in some embellishments at this point for extra sparkle.

Step 5: Finish and Secure

Once you're happy with the arrangement, carefully wrap floral tape around the stems to secure them to the base. Cut off any excess wire or tape. If desired, you can finish the corsage by wrapping a ribbon around the stems, covering the floral tape, and tying a bow.

Step 6: Care and Storage

If using fresh flowers, keep the corsages in a cool place and spritz them with water to help them stay fresh throughout the wedding day. For artificial flower corsages, store them in a dust-free container until the big day.

With these simple steps, you can create beautiful DIY wedding corsages for the mothers of the bride and groom, adding a personal and memorable touch to the wedding festivities.

Frequently asked questions