Prom Flowers: The Complete Guide to Corsages, Boutonnieres, and Getting It Right

Prom season is here, and if you haven't thought about flowers yet, now is the time. Corsages and boutonnieres are one of those details that photographs every bit as much as the dress — and getting them right takes about five minutes of planning and a phone call to us.

Here's everything you need to know.

What Is a Corsage?

A corsage is a small floral arrangement worn by the date, typically on the wrist (a wrist corsage) or occasionally pinned to a dress. The wrist corsage has been the standard for prom for decades — it's practical, it photographs beautifully, and it doesn't risk damaging delicate fabric the way a pin-on corsage can.

At Evans Flowers, we make corsages from a wide variety of flowers depending on the look you're going for. Our ranunculus corsage is one of our most popular — ranunculus have a lush, layered look that feels more modern and fashion-forward than a traditional carnation. We also work with roses, orchids, garden flowers, and seasonal blooms depending on what you're trying to match.

What Is a Boutonniere?

A boutonniere is a single flower (or small cluster) pinned to the lapel of a suit or tuxedo jacket. It's the male counterpart to the corsage, and traditionally it incorporates a flower from the corsage so the two coordinate. A classic boutonniere is one bloom with a small amount of greenery — clean, simple, and elegant.

We make boutonnieres in every style, from classic single roses to more textural designs with berries, succulents, or unique seasonal flowers. If you want something a little different, just tell us.

How to Match Corsage and Boutonniere Colors to Your Outfits

This is where most people spend the most time, and the good news is: there are no hard rules. Here are the approaches that work best:

Match to the dress. The most traditional approach — the corsage pulls one or two colors from the dress. If the dress is blush pink, the corsage might be soft pink roses or white ranunculus with a blush ribbon. If the dress is navy, a white or cream corsage with a navy ribbon reads beautifully.

Coordinate, don't match exactly. The corsage doesn't have to be the exact color of the dress — in fact, a complementary color often photographs better. A deep burgundy corsage against a forest green dress, for example, is stunning. If you're not sure what complements what, we can help with that.

Coordinate the boutonniere to the corsage, not the suit. The boutonniere should tie to the corsage rather than match the suit color. This is what creates the visual connection between two people in photos.

Use ribbon to tie it all together. Even if the flowers don't perfectly match the dress, the right ribbon color can bridge the gap. We carry a wide variety of ribbon colors and can wrap the corsage to coordinate with almost any outfit.

For more detail on color matching, check out our guides on matching flowers to women's outfits and matching flowers to men's suits.

Corsage Styles: What to Know

Classic wrist corsage: Two or three blooms on an elastic or ribbon band. The standard for prom, and for good reason — it's comfortable, secure, and looks great in photos.

Delicate single-bloom wrist corsage: One larger, statement flower (like a garden rose or ranunculus) with minimal greenery. Feels more modern and pairs well with sleek, minimalist dresses.

Garden-style corsage: A loose, organic arrangement with a mix of flowers and greenery that feels less structured — beautiful with flowy or bohemian dresses.

When to Order

Here's the honest answer: as soon as possible. We take prom orders seriously and we want to make sure we have exactly the right flowers for your date. The closer to prom you order, the less flexibility we have on flower variety and ribbon color.

If your prom is in the next two to four weeks, call us this week. If it's further out, you still have time — but don't wait until the week before and expect the same result.

We work with a lot of North Shore schools and we're familiar with the timing of local proms. Just tell us your date and we'll make sure everything is ready.

How to Order From Us

Call us at 978-531-0047 or stop by at 49 Warren Street in Peabody. When you call, it helps to have a few things ready:

• The color of the dress (a photo is even better — bring it in or text it to us)
• The color of the suit or tuxedo
• Your prom date
• Any flowers you love or want to avoid

That's genuinely all we need. We'll take it from there and have everything ready for pickup the day of prom — fresh, beautiful, and exactly what you asked for.

Browse our prom collection to get a sense of what we offer, or just call us and we'll walk you through the options. Prom is one of our favorite things to work on — and we've been doing it for a long time.