Glueing versus "tape and wire" in corsage construction

Today's corsages are much different than those made in the past. The modern corsage is more simple and natural in appearance, showcasing not ribbons and frills but the beauty of flower and foliage. The woman who wears a corsage today is also different; she wants a corsage that is light in nature yet sturdy enough to be taken on an off throughout an evening's event.

The items that I've chosen to assemble the two corsages include a single Phalaenopsis orchid bloom, several Stephanotis blooms, and a mini Monstera leaf.

Method #1: Assembling with Glue

Glueing is fast and efficient. If time is a factor and you need speed and quantity, choose this method. The drawback to the glue method is that the corsage's shelf life is poor relative to the more labor-intensive "tape and wire" method.

Melt down your floral glue in a pan to a "sticky" consistency, but be sure not to let the glue get too hot or you risk damaging your florals.

The leaf surface and the flower to be glued should be completely dry to the touch, or the glue simply won't hold. Work in stages, first gluing the Phalaenopsis to the leaf and allowing at least 5 minutes drying time (and even more if you can afford it -- the longer the drying time the better). Next add the Stephanotis blooms. Once the glue is thoroughly dry, your corsage is finished -- just add corsage pins.

Method #2: Tape and Wire

This is the traditional, tried and true method for making the sturdiest corsages. Unless one intentionally pulls on the leaf or the blooms, these items will not disengage themselves from the assembly. Though this is the more time-consuming method, with practice you can actually create a finished corsage in less time than a glued one, but it takes much more work!

Start by using a very light gauge floral wire with a couple of Stephanotis blooms and the Phalaenopsis. Twist the wire around the stems of the flowers in a downward motion. Once those flowers have been secured, add the Mini Monstera leaf, followed by more Stephanotis blooms. Make sure to space out the items to achieve the look you're after.

Next, use green floral corsage tape and follow your wire path, using the same twisting downward motion as you used when wiring the flowers. Keep the tape taut and twist as tightly as possible to ensure security. When finished, add the corsage pins.

Glued corsage is on the left, with the tape-and-wired corsage on the right. Although the end result is very similar, the methods are quite distinct. Be sure to practice both styles to keep your skills fresh for either approach.