Creating Wedding Wrist Corsages: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wrist corsages are a traditional accessory for formal occasions, including weddings. They are a great way to incorporate flowers into your wedding outfit and can be made at home. You can use fresh or fake flowers, and there are many ways to customise your corsage, including the types of flowers, colours, and wristbands. Making your own wrist corsage is a fun DIY project that can save you money.

Choosing flowers and colours

The number of flowers you choose will depend on the size of the blooms, but most wrist corsages are made up of around three to five flowers. You will also need to consider the colour scheme of the wedding and the attire of the person who will be wearing the corsage. If it is for the mother of the bride or groom, you may want to opt for a big and elegant flower, such as a gardenia or a flat garden rose.

Once you have chosen your flowers, you will need to cut the stems so that only around half an inch to one inch remains. If you are using real flowers, it is best to make the corsage the day before the event, or on the morning of the event, to ensure the flowers are fresh.

Selecting the right materials

Flowers:

The type of flowers you choose will be one of the most important decisions. Select flowers that are sturdy and can withstand some wear and tear throughout the event. Popular options include roses, orchids, lilies, daisies, and gardenias. Consider the colour scheme as well—you can either match the flowers to the wearer's dress or suit or opt for the school colours for a prom corsage. If using real flowers, ensure they are close to fully bloomed and fresh.

Greenery and Filler Flowers:

Accent flowers like baby's breath, fern leaves, and eucalyptus add fullness and highlight the main flower's colour. Greenery should be trimmed to around 3 inches in length.

Ribbon:

A ribbon is used to create a bow and attach the corsage to the wearer's wrist. Opt for a ribbon that complements the colour scheme of the flowers and the wearer's outfit. You can also use thin ribbons to neatly wrap around the stems of the flowers, covering up any floral tape.

Floral Tape and Wire:

Floral tape and wire are essential for binding the stems of the flowers together and providing a neat finish. The wire gives structure and allows you to bend and adjust the flowers, while the tape covers any sharp edges, giving a professional look.

Wristband or Bracelet:

You can attach the flowers to a simple wristband or bracelet. Alternatively, you can upcycle old jewellery, especially braided or corded pieces, as the texture provides a good surface for hot glue to grip onto.

Embellishments:

For a more personalised touch, consider adding embellishments like pearls, lace, charms, or glitter. Use floral wire to attach these to real flowers, or hot glue if you're working with fake flowers.

Remember, you can also purchase pre-arranged designer flower boxes that come with a curated selection of flowers and colours, making it easier to assemble your wrist corsage.

Preparing the flowers

Select your main flower and 1-2 accent flowers. A good rule of thumb is to use 3 to 5 blooms in total, depending on their size. Roses, orchids, gardenias, daisies, and lilies are all popular choices for corsages. You can also add a filler flower like baby's breath, fern leaves, or eucalyptus to add fullness and highlight the colour of the main flower.

Before you begin arranging your flowers, make sure they are prepped and ready to work with. Remove any guard petals, excess greenery, and trim the stems. Place the blooms in water until you are ready to make the corsage. For any greenery, trim each sprig down to about 3 inches.

Cut the stems of your chosen flowers down to 1/2-1 inch. This will make it easier to bind them together and attach them to the wristlet. Arrange the flowers in the desired order and wrap their stems with floral wire. Then, cover the wire with floral tape to protect the wearer's wrist from any sharp edges.

If you are using fresh flowers, it is best to make the corsage no more than a day or two before the event to keep the flowers looking their freshest. If using fake flowers, you can make the corsage whenever you like.

Assembling the flowers

To assemble the flowers for a wrist corsage, you will need 1 to 3 hardy flowers, 1-2 types of greenery, and a filler flower. Popular flower options include roses, orchids, gardenias, daisies, and lilies.

Firstly, prep your flowers by removing any guard petals and excess greenery. Trim the stems, leaving only 0.5 to 1 inch of the stem directly underneath the bud. Place the blooms in water until you are ready to assemble the corsage. For any greenery, trim each sprig down to around three inches.

Next, cut the stems off the flowers, leaving only 0.5 to 1 inch of the stem. Arrange the flowers as you would like them to sit, and wrap their stems with floral wire. Then, cover the wire with floral tape to neaten the look and protect the wearer's wrist from any sharp edges.

You can then wrap your mini bouquet with a thin piece of ribbon, securing it with hot glue if you wish. If you are using fake flowers, hot glue is a good option for securing the ribbon, but do not use it on real flowers as it will damage them.

Finally, add any extra embellishments, such as pearls, lace, or charms. Secure these with floral wire for real flowers, or hot glue if you are using fake blooms.

Attaching the flowers to the wristlet

Now that you have your flowers ready, it's time to attach them to the wristlet. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Use florist wire to attach the bundle of flowers to a wristband, bracelet, or wristlet. The stems of the flowers should be pointing towards the elbow. Ensure you select a sturdy wristlet that can withstand some wear and tear. It should also complement the flowers and overall design of the corsage.

If you are using a ribbon as the wristlet, cut a piece long enough to wrap around your wrist and form a bow. Find the centre of the ribbon and tie your mini bouquet to it. Secure the ribbon with a knot or by gluing it to the bouquet, depending on the material of the flowers. If you are using fresh flowers, it is best to use a thin ribbon to tie the flowers, as hot glue may damage them. However, if you are using artificial flowers, hot glue can be used to attach the flowers to the ribbon.

Place the corsage on your wrist and secure it with a bow on the same side as the floral arrangement. Alternatively, you can tie or glue the corsage to a wristband or bracelet for a more secure fit.

Once the flowers are attached, adjust the positioning of the flowers as needed. You can also add any final touches, such as embellishments like pearls, lace, or charms. Use floral wire to attach these embellishments to real flowers, or hot glue if you are using artificial flowers.

Your wrist corsage is now complete and ready to be worn! Remember to store it properly if you are not using it immediately, especially if you are using fresh flowers. Keep it in a cool place or refrigerator to extend the life of the flowers.

Frequently asked questions