Prom flowers, pretty? Yes. Necessary? No. 

“Prom flowers” are handheld bouquets made by prom attendees to match their dresses. Prom flowers became popular in recent years, and admittedly, of course, I loved them when I saw them, but as I watch them become more standard, a little part of me rolls my eyes. They’re beautiful and fun, but… Where do you put them during the dance? This is really a sincere question, in the car? At someone’s house? Is it on display after? Is anyone preserving them?

I suppose these questions could be raised for bouquets in general, and I’m just being negative, but I’m not protesting against bouquets in general. I think flowers are a delightful way to express affection or to accessorize yourself. My grievance with prom flowers is that corsages and boutonnieres are right there? Corsages and boutonnieres have been worn forever. The reason I bring up the inconvenience of having a bouquet is that the inconvenience doesn’t exist with a boutonniere or corsage.

YOU’RE WEARING IT!! Prom is supposed to be a time where you let loose and have fun with your friends. It is also a time to dress yourself up and feel fancy, so wearing a mini flower arrangement is a perfect mix of the two. Another tradition that’s lost with prom flowers is that your date is meant to give you a corsage before prom, and I haven’t seen anyone give the bouquets on their Instagram posts. All in all, I think prom flowers are fun and cute, but I prefer the ones in my opinion- classier and more elegant corsage or boutonniere.