How to Make a Corsage: A Step-by-Step Guide

Wrist corsages are a traditional accessory for many formal occasions, including weddings and proms. Buying a corsage from a florist can sometimes be a bit expensive, but luckily, it’s easy to make a DIY corsage at home. In this article, we’ll teach you all the steps to make your own wrist corsage. Plus, you’ll learn how far in advance to make it and how to wear it, as well as get all the answers you need to other common questions about corsages.

How to Make a Corsage Wristlet

Select your main and accent flowers and cut their stems down to 1/2-1 inch (1.3-2.5 cm).
Arrange the flowers how you’d like and wrap their stems with floral wire.
Go over the wire with floral tape to cover sharp edges.
Wrap your mini bouquet with a thin piece of ribbon.
Tie your corsage to another piece of ribbon long enough to tie around your wrist.

Section 1 of 4:

How to Make a Wrist Corsage

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1
Choose and cut your flowers. Select a main flower, accent flowers, and greenery that match your desired color scheme. Use scissors or wire cutters to cut the stems down to about 1/2-1 inch (1.3-2.5 cm) and remove any excess foliage. Try to choose sturdy flowers that can withstand some wear—they’ll look better at the end of the night than delicate flowers.^{[1]
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- Some popular flower options include roses, daisies, orchids, and lilies. Plan on getting 3 to 5 blooms, depending on their size.
- Some popular accent flowers include baby’s breath, fern leaves, and eucalyptus. Accent flowers add fullness to the corsage and highlight the color of the main flower.
- Use fresh or fake flowers for your corsage. If you use real flowers, pick flowers that are close to fully blooming and keep them in water before you make the corsage.
- Usually, the color scheme of a corsage matches that of your dress or suit. Alternatively, consider using your school colors if you’re making one for prom. Or, look at an interior design color wheel for inspiration.
2
Wrap the stems with floral wire and floral tape. Arrange your primary flowers however you like, then tie the stems together by wrapping floral wire around them, starting from the top of the stem downward. Use wire cutters to cut off the excess wire, then wrap the stems with floral tape. The tape will hide the wire from view and protect the wearer’s wrist from sharp edges. Repeat the process with a bundle of your accent flowers.^{[2]
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- For the best results, wrap the tape at a diagonal, like the stripes on a barber pole. It may take two rounds of tape to completely cover the stems.
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3
Arrange and secure your mini bouquet with ribbon. After both bundles have been wrapped, position them how you’d like them to sit on your wrist and wrap them together with more floral tape. Wrap a thin ribbon of your choosing around the stems so that it covers the tape and looks nice and neat. Make sure to leave enough excess ribbon on both ends so that you can attach it to the main ribbon that wraps around your wrist.^{[3]
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- If you’re using fake flowers, another option is to hot glue the bouquet to the ribbon. Don’t use hot glue on real flowers, however, as it will damage them.
- If you want to add other embellishments, like pearls, lace, or charms, now is the time to do so. Attach them to real flowers using floral wire, or feel free to hot glue them if your corsage is made of fake flowers.
Cut another piece of ribbon that’s long enough to wrap around your wrist and make a bow. Find the center of the ribbon and tie your mini bouquet to it. Place the corsage on your wrist and secure it with a bow on the same side as the floral arrangement. Alternatively, tie or glue your corsage to a wristband or corsage bracelet instead.^{[4]
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Section 2 of 4:

When to Make a Corsage

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Make a fresh flower corsage a day before your event. If you’re making a corsage with real flowers, ensure they’re at their freshest by making the corsage no more than a day or two before your event. If you have time, it may be optimal to make the corsage the morning of the event instead. If you’re using fake flowers, it’s okay to make your corsage whenever you’d like.^{[5]
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Section 3 of 4:

How to Wear a Corsage

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Traditionally, a corsage is worn on the left wrist. Because most people are right-handed, the corsage is traditionally worn on the left wrist. Simply wrap the ribbon around your wrist and secure it with a bow. It’s also okay to wear a corsage on your right wrist, pinned to your dress, or attached to a hat.^{[6]
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- Corsages are often worn to prom or homecoming, at weddings, or for other formal events.

Section 4 of 4:

Wrist Corsage FAQs

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Why is it called a corsage? The word corsage comes from the 15th-century French word “cors,” which means “body.” By the 1800s, the word had come to refer to the bodice of a dress, and flowers fashioned for a bodice were called “bouquet de corsage.” Later on, the placement of the corsage would move from the bodice to the wrist or shoulder so that a woman’s date could pin the flowers on her without being inappropriate.^{[7]
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Who wears a corsage at a wedding? Traditionally, the mother of the bride, the mother of the groom, and all grandmothers wear a corsage during a wedding. However, any special guests can wear one if the couple desires, and in recent years, corsages have become a popular alternative to bridesmaids’ bouquets.^{[8]
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What is the difference between a corsage and a boutonniere? A corsage is a small bouquet of flowers, usually worn by women, that is worn on the wrist or pinned to a dress. A boutonniere is a smaller floral arrangement that is typically pinned to the lapel of a man’s suit jacket.^{[9]
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How many flowers are in a wrist corsage? Typically, wrist corsages are made of 3 to 5 main flowers, with a small assortment of accent flowers or foliage. However, the number of flowers can vary depending on the look you’re going for.

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Question

How do you keep a white daisy fresh on a corsage?

Beth H.

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The best way to keep your flowers from wilting is to have them delivered a day before the function if you can. When you receive the corsage, you will want to spritz the stems with water. If you can, keep the original plastic box it came in, right up until you need it. Also, refrigerate the corsage paying attention to make sure that it is closer to the door and far away from the freezer. Do not leave your corsage in the freezer over 24 hours. The last step would be to seal the corsage and you can find this at your local florist.

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If I don't have a date, should I still wear a corsage?

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It’s up to you really, I don’t have a date to my formal event but I’ll still wear a corsage.

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On which wrist is a corsage worn?

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It's traditionally worn on the left wrist, though a left-handed date may prefer to wear it on the right.

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Tips

Silk flowers can be used in place of real flowers.

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For additional flair, use decorative embellishments such as a flashy ribbon, a sequined wristband, or other eye-catching inserts. You can also try spraying the bouquet lightly with an aerosol glitter. Be creative!

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If you are using real flowers, don't make the corsage too far in advance of the event, or the flowers will wilt and die. Make the corsage 1 to 2 days in advance at most, and store it in a cool place such as your refrigerator to extend the arrangement's life.

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