Creating Wedding Corsages: Crafting With Silk Flowers

A wedding is a special occasion, and corsages are a great way to honour the important women in your life, such as your bridesmaids, mother, and grandmother. Corsages can be made with silk flowers, which last longer and can be prepared in advance. Silk flowers also allow for easy changes and adjustments, and they can be treasured as keepsakes. Making your own wedding corsages with silk flowers can be a fun and affordable way to add a unique, elegant touch to your wedding. You can choose from a variety of styles and colour combinations to match your wedding theme and outfit.

Choosing the right silk flowers

Silk flowers are a great choice for wedding corsages as they can be prepared in advance, are easy to work with, and will last forever as a memento of your special day. When choosing the right silk flowers for your wedding corsages, there are a few things to consider.

Firstly, opt for high-quality silk flowers that closely resemble real blooms. This will ensure your corsages look elegant and luxurious. Choose flowers that are relatively flat, as this will make it easier to attach them to your chosen base, whether that be a ribbon for a wrist corsage or a leaf for a dress corsage. Select flowers that are small or medium-sized, as larger blooms may cause the corsage to droop or twist.

The colour of your silk flowers is an important consideration. Choose colours that complement your wedding colour scheme, as well as the outfits and fabric choices of those who will be wearing the corsages. You may want to match the corsages to the rest of your wedding flower arrangements or choose accent colours to add a pop of interest to your chosen outfits.

When it comes to style, consider the overall aesthetic of your wedding and choose flowers that complement this. For a modern look, select elegant, larger flowers such as gardenias, orchids, or garden roses for wrist corsages. Smaller blooms are better suited for dress corsages as they are less likely to damage delicate fabrics. You can also combine different types of artificial flowers, such as silk and paper, for added texture and visual interest.

With these tips in mind, you can create beautiful silk flower corsages that perfectly suit your wedding aesthetic and honour the important women in your life.

Gathering materials and tools

To make a wedding corsage with silk flowers, you will need a combination of materials and tools. The exact items you will require will depend on the style of your corsage and your personal preferences. Here is a detailed list of the materials and tools you may need:

Flowers and Greenery:

• Choose a variety of silk flowers in your desired colours and styles. Select a few main flowers and a few accent flowers. Opt for flowers that are relatively flat and resemble real flowers.
• Consider adding silk greenery, such as baby's breath or eucalyptus leaves, to enhance the design of your corsage.

Base and Embellishments:

• Decide on the base of your corsage. You can choose a simple ribbon or opt for a more elaborate design such as a gold cuff or a wristlet if you prefer a wrist corsage.
• Embellishments such as pearls, pearl pins, rhinestones, or small charms can add a special touch to your corsage.

Tools:

• Hot glue gun and glue sticks: You will need a hot glue gun to secure the flowers, greenery, and embellishments together.
• Floral wire (22-26 gauge): Floral wire is used to secure the flowers and greenery in place and provide structure to your corsage.
• Ribbon: Select a ribbon that complements your flowers. You can use it to create a bow or decorative loops. The ribbon can also be used to secure the corsage to your wrist or dress.
• Scissors or wire cutters: These are necessary for cutting the stems of the flowers and ribbon.

Once you have gathered all the necessary materials and tools, you can start creating your beautiful silk flower wedding corsage.

Preparing the flowers

Firstly, select the right silk flowers for your corsage. Choose high-quality flowers that resemble real ones and opt for small or medium-sized blooms. Consider the colour and style of the flowers to ensure they match your wedding outfit or theme and complement your corsage design. You can choose a few main flowers and a few accent flowers to create a beautiful arrangement.

Once you have selected your flowers, use wire cutters to cut the large blooms off the stems. Make sure to cut the bottoms of the flowers as flat as possible. This will create a neat base for your corsage. Next, trim the accent flowers from their main stems, leaving some of their small stems intact. This will add dimension and variety to your design.

Now, you can start arranging the flowers. Place the largest flower at the bottom, with two smaller flowers on either side, creating a lopsided triangle shape. Play around with different arrangements until you find one that you like. You can also add greenery, such as silk baby's breath, to enhance the design. Once you are happy with the arrangement, gather the stems of the flowers and cut them down to about 2-3 inches in length.

After you have cut the stems to the desired length, start securing the flowers together. Use floral tape to wrap the stems together, starting at the top and winding your way down. Make sure to cover the bottom edges of the stems and then wrap back up to the top. You can also use hot glue to secure the flowers if you want a more permanent hold.

Finally, add any desired embellishments to your corsage. This could include pearl pins, rhinestones, or small charms. Secure these embellishments with floral tape or hot glue. You can also add a ribbon to your corsage for a decorative touch. Tie the ribbon in a bow, create decorative loops, or simply knot it with short tails.

By following these steps, you will have prepared your silk flowers and created a beautiful corsage that is ready to be worn or gifted to someone special on your wedding day.

Assembling the corsage

To assemble the corsage, you'll need to arrange your flowers in a visually appealing design. Typically, the largest bloom should be in the centre, with smaller flowers and greenery surrounding it. Play around with the height and placement of the flowers to create a balanced look.

Once you're happy with the arrangement, use floral wire to secure the flowers together. Wrap the wire tightly around the base of the flowers and then continue wrapping down the stems, ensuring the wire is evenly spaced. Cover the wire with green floral tape to achieve a seamless, professional finish.

If you're using a leaf or leaves, such as a rose corsage leaf, place this under the flowers. You can use hot glue to secure the top flowers to the leaves if you wish. Wrap the leaf stem together with the flower stems.

Add any silk baby's breath or other greenery at this point, securing it with hot glue.

Finally, add any embellishments, such as pearl pins, rhinestones, or other decorations. Secure these with floral tape or hot glue.

Adding finishing touches

Now that you've assembled your flowers and greenery, it's time to add some finishing touches to your wedding corsage! Here are some ideas and steps to follow:

First, consider adding some ribbon. Cut a length of ribbon—around 18 inches should be enough—and tie it around your wrist, leaving enough room to comfortably tie a bow or knot. You can also use the ribbon to create decorative loops or a big bow to accent your corsage. Secure the ribbon to the corsage with hot glue, making sure it holds firmly. If you're using a gold cuff instead of a ribbon, wrap some ribbon or cloth around the centre first, then glue on your flower cluster.

Next, add any embellishments you like. This could include pearls, rhinestones, or small charms. Get creative with the placement and combination of these embellishments to make your corsage unique and eye-catching. Use hot glue to attach these to the corsage. You could also add pearl pins or other decorative pins to secure the flowers and add some sparkle.

Finally, cut off any excess wire or tape at the bottom of the corsage. Finish it off by wrapping the end of the stem with ribbon or floral tape. And there you have it—a beautiful, handmade wedding corsage!

Remember to take your time and be patient when crafting your wedding corsage. It's all about adding your personal touch and making it look elegant and polished. Enjoy the process, and don't forget to share your creations with your loved ones!

Frequently asked questions