Corsages, boutonnieres are still prom traditions

This story was written as part of a package about the local high schools prom.

Prom dresses may be fancier, the limos longer and the tuxedos more impressive but the flowers are still the same — corsages for the girls and boutonnieres for the guys.

At least that’s what Bonita Springs and Estero florists are seeing as Estero High students get ready to party on April 21.

“Prom is like a holiday. There are a lot of orders and we usually make a ton of corsages and boutonnieres,” said Susie Sayger, the owner of Heavenly Scent Flowers in Bonita Springs. “It’s a very important night for kids.”

The big night is preceded with months of planning including outfit shopping and securing a date.

For many it’s their first time to act like adults and that’s when the flower selection becomes important.

“We will probably get 99 percent of our orders as wrist corsages,” said florist, Mary Craig of Petals & Presents in Estero.

Many girls want corsages much like their mothers wore to prom years ago, says Sayger, who’s been in the flower business for 22 years.

“They can change everything but in the end they all order flowers,” said Sayger, who has a few orders from Estero High students.

Orchids and sprig roses are the norm for wrist corsages as are carnations for the guy’s lapel, but colors are becoming increasingly important.

“They come in during the week before and get everything they need to match colors with their date,” Sayger said. “They come order the flowers after they know what everybody is going to wear.”

Some students also opt to update their flower options by ordering bracelet-style corsages with colored jewels and pearls or put flowers on other parts of the body.

“I sometimes get someone come in with a shoe and say they want flowers to tie to the heel and come up the ankle,” Sayger said. “It’s a new trend in the last few years and it’s their way of making it their own.”

And, giving their outfits that final touch is why some girls put flowers in their hair as well.

“It’s the florist’s job to finish the look and that’s why we are the last people they visit,” said Sayger, who expects to prepare countless corsages within the next week. “It takes a lot of effort from them to put everything together and we are happy to help.”