Few things are quite as nerve-wracking as buying flowers for someone else to wear - and one of the most popular occasions for wearable flowers is the high school prom. If you're on the hunt for hot ideas to make this very special event complete (for you, or for someone else), let us offer a few tips that we've rounded up.
First, a few terms to help you out: a boutounnierre is often a single bloom or very small bunch of flowers given to the boy (b is for boy = b is for boutonniere is my memory trick for this one) by his date. Usually, the boutonniere is pinned to the lapel of the guy's jacket where the buttonhole is located (some sources say left, some say right, all say find the buttonhole and place it there - feel free to use your discretion!).
A corsage is the small arrangement given to a girl by her date. Corsages are generally available in two types - a pin-on corsage or a wrist-corsage affixed to (usually) a stretchy wrist-band. Look for another blog post later on how to decide whether a pin-on or a wrist-type is best for you. It helps to agree on a single florist for both orders (making sure the florist knows the orders are 'together') so that the flowers can be made to match.
{Check out this happy group! I wonder if their flowers matched? Photo courtesy Sean McGrath via Flickr}
A fun idea, if attending prom as a group, is to ask a florist to do the flowers for the whole group, matching each to individual outfits but working in a simple group theme throughout, as well (such as a bit of matching ribbon or a touch of silver accent, etc.).
This year, according to several sources, bright hues and jewel tones are the trend for dresses. Dresses in 'hot' shades like aqua, pink, lime, turquoise, yellow or orange are bold to wear and may call for a more restrained hand in with the blooms that accompany the outfit.
A corsage can be that little touch that makes or breaks an outfit, so make sure that your florist knows what colors the arrangement should match. Sending a digital image, or better yet, stopping by with the dress or a scrap sample that may be left over from dress alterations is a good way to ensure the flowers will help the beautiful girl shine even a little more.
What questions or tips do you have for prom flowers? We'd love to hear them in the comments section!
