Corsages and boutonnieres may be small, but creating them requires precision, creativity, and the right tools. Whether you’re designing a delicate wrist corsage or a pinned boutonniere, having the proper materials and tools can make the process smoother—and the final result stunning.
In this post, we’ll walk you through the essential tools every florist needs to create beautiful, long-lasting corsages and boutonnieres. Each tool has a link to my favorite products on Amazon. I am an affiliate for Amazon so I do earn a percentage from qualifying purchases.
Floral Shears or Scissors
Why You Need Them:
Floral shears are your go-to for cutting flower stems cleanly without crushing them. For corsages and boutonnieres, you’ll be working with small, short stems, so precision is key.
Pro Tip:
Keep your shears sharp and clean to avoid damaging delicate blooms like spray roses or orchids.
For more information about choosing the right scissors, read my previous blog post Floral Shears Showdown: Comparing 3 Popular Tools for Floral Design – The Florist Toolbox
Floral Wire
Why You Need It:
Floral wire is crucial for supporting flower heads, reinforcing weak stems, and shaping the structure of your corsage or boutonniere. You can also use it to secure ribbon, beads, or greenery.
Recommended Gauge:
Use 26- or 24-gauge wire—thin enough to be flexible but strong enough to hold flowers in place.
Floral Tape
Why You Need It:
Floral tape is used to bind wires together and wrap stems. It becomes sticky as you stretch it, creating a neat, professional finish and helping to retain moisture in the stems.
Color Matters:
Use green for natural blends or white for bridal work—it helps create a clean, cohesive look.
Corsage Wristlets or Boutonniere Pins
Why You Need Them:
Depending on the type of design you’re making, you’ll need either corsage wristlets (elastic bands, slap bracelets, or cuffs) or boutonniere pins for attaching them to clothing.
Some of my favorites from Amazon include:
- Elastic pearl bracelets
- Elastic wristlets
- Rhinestone wristlets
- Diamond boutonniere pins
- Teardrop pearl pins
Glue Gun or Floral Adhesive
Why You Need It:
Floral glue is essential for securing blooms or accessories in no-stem designs, like orchid corsages or ribbon-based bases. It’s also helpful for attaching decorative touches like beads, feathers, or lace.
Floral adhesive vs. hot glue:
- Floral adhesive is gentler and waterproof, perfect for live flowers
- Hot glue works faster but may damage delicate petals on live flowers so only use on silk flowers
Embellishments & Finishing Tools
What You Might Use:
- Ribbon or lace to finish the look
- Pearl pins for elegant touches
- Mini sprays of greenery like Italian ruscus or myrtle
A good pair of needle-nose pliers also helps with twisting wires cleanly and adding finishing touches.
Clean Workspace & Storage
Why You Need It:
Corsage and boutonniere work is detail-oriented. A clean, organized surface ensures you don’t lose small items like pins or embellishments. Once finished, keep corsages in a cool, humidity-controlled environment in a clear plastic clam shell box for convenience until delivery.
Final Thoughts
Creating a corsage and boutonniere is like making a miniature piece of wearable art. With the right tools—sharp shears, flexible wire, floral tape, and thoughtful accessories—you can design something beautiful, sturdy, and memorable.
Whether you’re preparing for prom season, weddings, or special events, stocking your floral toolbox with these essentials will help you work confidently and efficiently.
Happy designing!
– The Florist Toolbox
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