A corsage is a small arrangement of flowers worn on the wrist or pinned to an outfit. A boutonniere, pronounced boo-tuh-NEER, is a single bloom or tiny cluster pinned to a jacket lapel. At prom, dates traditionally give each other one of each, and the two are usually designed to match.
That is the whole vocabulary. Everything else is choices. Which style, which flowers, what color ribbon, when to order and how not to wilt it before the photos. This page covers all of them. Flowers are optional, by the way. Plenty of people skip them, buy their own or go with something different. If you are figuring out who should pay, see who buys the corsage.
The main types
| Type | How it is worn | Works best with |
|---|---|---|
| Wrist corsage, or wristlet | On a band or bracelet around the wrist | Strapless dresses, delicate fabric, anyone who dances a lot |
| Pin-on corsage | Pinned to the left side of the chest | Sturdy fabric, wide straps, jackets |
| Boutonniere | Pinned to the left lapel | Suits, tuxedos and jackets |
| Hand-held nosegay or bouquet | Carried | Photos, mostly |
| Silk or dried flowers | Any of the above | Keeping it afterward, or allergies |
Wrist corsages are a popular choice, and for practical reasons. FTD, the national floral network, notes that a wrist corsage is a better option for a strapless dress, since there is nothing to pin to. Kremp Florist, a Pennsylvania florist that ships prom flowers nationally, recommends the same.
Hand-held bouquets are a newer trend in some places. In April 2026, KOSA, a TV station in Odessa, Texas, reported that local students had largely swapped corsages for small bouquets with monogrammed ribbons. One local florist said her shop had made fewer than 15 corsages in three years. Students in the story admitted the catch, though. You have to hold a bouquet, and most said they would leave it behind once the dance started.
Which wrist and which side
Tradition puts flowers on the left. Kremp says pin-on corsages go on the left side of the chest and boutonnieres on the left lapel. For wrist corsages, the left wrist is customary, but Kremp notes that a left-handed wearer can switch to the right. The practical rule is to put it on the hand you use less, so it does not get crushed every time you reach for something.
Choosing flowers
The Society of American Florists lists mini spray roses, standard roses, dendrobium orchids and alstroemeria as popular corsage flowers, along with small blooms like cornflowers and freesia. If you are watching the budget, it suggests telling the florist your price range and asking for ideas, and names alstroemeria, lilies and mini carnations as less expensive choices that still look good.
Tougher flowers hold up better to a hug, a car ride and two hours of dancing. Ask the florist which of your options will last longest out of water. If anyone in your group has a pollen allergy, mention it too. Silk and dried flower corsages are an alternative, and Kremp notes that silk pieces can be reused.
Matching the outfits
The person buying the corsage needs to know what their date is wearing. SAF suggests the buyer ask their date what they want, and even visit the shop together so the corsage and boutonniere coordinate. Bring a photo of the dress or suit, or a fabric swatch if you have one, so the florist can match ribbon and accents.
The flowers do not have to match the outfit exactly. White, ivory and soft greenery go with nearly every color. A ribbon in the dress color ties it together. And the boutonniere usually repeats one flower from the corsage. If you are coordinating more than flowers, our page on matching a suit to a prom dress helps.
When to order
The Society of American Florists advises ordering at least two weeks ahead. Prom season overlaps with peak wedding season and often Mother's Day weekend, so popular flowers can run short. Two weeks gives the florist time to get what you want, and you time to change your mind once. The prom countdown can remind you.
Plan the pickup too. Nanz and Kraft Florists in Louisville suggests collecting the corsage several hours before you are due to pick up your date, which leaves time to fix a mix-up.
What corsages cost
Prices depend on the flowers, the size and where you live, so ask your local florist. For one florist's prices as a reference point, Kremp's online prom collection, checked in October 2026, listed most corsages between $30 and $50, with some fresh wristlets running from $45 to $73 depending on size. Its prom FAQ gives broader ranges of about $20 to $40 for a corsage and $8 to $20 for a boutonniere. Those are one shop's prices, and your local florist may charge more or less. If cost is a worry, say your number up front and let the florist design to it.
Keeping them fresh
Fresh flowers do not last long once they are made. Kremp says its fresh corsages typically last 24 to 48 hours, which is why most florists want you to pick them up the day before or the day of.
- Refrigerate them. Kremp says to keep both pieces in the refrigerator until you are ready to wear them.
- Never the freezer. Kremp warns that flowers will freeze, and that a garage can get too cold overnight.
- Keep them boxed. Native Poppy, a San Diego florist, says to leave the corsage in its box until it is time to wear it.
- Keep them out of the sun and away from heat, including a hot car.
Putting them on
A wrist corsage slides or ties on. Native Poppy says to tie a ribbon band firmly enough that it stays in place. A boutonniere takes a little more care. Native Poppy's method is to place it on the left lapel at about heart height, push the pin through from the back of the lapel, through the stems, and back into the lapel, then repeat with a second pin. Ask a parent or friend to help. It is much easier with someone else doing the pinning.
Keeping it afterward
Many people keep their corsage as a souvenir. Hanging it upside down in a cool, dry, dark spot for a week or two dries it reasonably well. Silk and dried versions skip the step entirely.
For the rest of what you will wear and carry, see our prom accessories guide. If you are still shopping for the outfit itself, you can browse prom shops by state.