Prom season may bring a wave of first-time customers through your doors, but it also delivers a high-stakes test: can your designs hold up from pickup to the last dance? For florists, success hinges on more than creativity — it’s about precision behind the scenes. 

“At Shirley’s Flower Studio, we embrace the season wholeheartedly, knowing that every corsage … must look fresh not just at pickup, but hours later,” says Tricia Upshaw in the March/April issue of Floral Management. 

From the moment an order is placed, Upshaw’s team builds systems to ensure success. Choosing the right blooms is equally critical. Hardy favorites like ranunculus, spray roses and mini cymbidium orchids outperform delicate varieties that can’t withstand hours out of water. 

Design techniques matter, too. “We like using cold glue to hold the stems in place,” Upshaw says, noting that timing — and avoiding leaf shine too soon — can make or break a design’s durability. 

But longevity isn’t just about mechanics. Organization, customer education and a thoughtful in-store experience all play a role in turning prom customers into lifelong clients. 

Read “Designing Prom Flowers to Last” in the March/April issue of Floral Management to learn how to streamline production and create prom designs that look flawless long after they leave the shop. 

Amanda Jedlinsky is the senior director of content and communications for the Society of American Florists.