The Business of Buttioneers

Peter Kingston and Ashley Kelly, owners of Tulipia Floral Design in River Forest, will be working late this Friday.

"We will usually stay late on Friday night and work on all of the wrist cosages so that they are as fresh as possible for the dance," Kingston said. "Boutonnieres are then completed the morning of the event."

Freshness is key in their medium of wearable art—making sure everyone looks their best at homecoming while providing a special keepsake of the night.

Boutonnieres generally cost $12 and corsages start at $35 and go up depending on the level of detail, Kelly said. The designers usually craft 30-40 of their arrangements for Homecoming each year.

"We're really well known for our pearl band," Kelly said. "We don't use the strechy stuff. It's a keepsake too."

Tulipia was kind enough to share some of their most popular designs this year, which you can view in our pictures above.

According to the owners, roses are always a popular choice, but the most popular this year has been their orchid designs with a pearl band for the young ladies.

"The ribbons used will usually match the girl's dress with matching flowers or contrast," Kingston said. "In any event, [students] all want them to be different from what everyone else is wearing, and we customize them in special ways by adding special gems, pearls, wire and wire leaves."

Get breaking news alerts and follow us on Facebook for more news:

• Get the Oak Park-River Forest newsletter and like us on Facebook.
• Get the Forest Park newsletter and like us on Facebook.