How to Buy a Corsage or Boutonniere for the Prom

Quintessential symbols of prom night, corsages and boutonnieres should be simple, elegant arrangements that match your date's color scheme.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Corsage/ Flowers
• Pins
• Pins

1. Discuss with your date the basic colors you both plan to wear to the prom. A prom dress may be one solid color, or it may contain several hues. Determine the predominant color and work from there.

2. If your date is female, ask whether she prefers a wrist or pin-on corsage. All male boutonnieres should be worn pinned to the lapel.

3. Determine whether your date has any favorite flowers that should be incorporated into the arrangement.

4. Call local florists to gauge prices and to get a sense of flower varieties, colors and costs. Order the flower arrangement at least two weeks before the dance.

5. Pick up the flowers the day before, or the day of, the prom to insure maximum freshness and perkiness.

Tips & Warnings

• Your corsage can be simple or ornamented with background greens and flowers, such as a small fern sprig. Take your date's personal style into consideration when choosing a corsage.
• Take care to avoid purchasing an oversized or gaudy corsage simply to make a statement. Keep the flower arrangement simple and elegant.

on 11/22/2005 Make sure that the color matches the dress. How many different shades of green are there? When possible, use a fabric swatch. You don't want a sea-green corsage with a forest-green dress.