Roses and lilies were the expected stars in a recent prom-and-wedding fashion show featuring floral designs at Gateway Technical College. But the flowers were sometimes used in unexpected ways to create bouquets and corsages that ranged from trendy to high glamour.

Among the show stoppers: branches of weeping willow looped and wrapped with a bouquet of coral roses.

Aqua hydrangeas were an unexpected touch paired with dark pink stargazer lilies and light pink roses.

Pink aluminum wire circled out of a floral wrist corsage, wrapping up past a model’s elbow in a stunning bracelet.

Students created the designs under the direction of floral artist-in-resident Alice Waterous of Grand Haven, Mich. The students then modeled their designs with wedding gowns and prom dresses donated by New House of Design floral and bridal shop in Palmyra.

The student chapter of American Institute of Floral Designers at Gateway sponsored Waterous’ visit and the accompanying style show. The student group sponsors a different program each year with a guest florist, who works with them to create designs.

“It’s absolutely awesome what they have been creating,” said floral design instructor Jane Edwards. “It goes beyond the classroom. The best form of hands-on learning is being right there doing it.”

Waterous owned a flower shop for 17 years in Michigan, and she later worked for a wholesale florist in Lansing, Mich. She currently teaches classes in floral design and creates floral displays for businesses on a freelance basis. She is a member of the American Institute of Floral Designers.

Student Kayla Schnuell said she learned a lot by working with Waterous.

“I learned some new tips and tricks — better than I’ve done my way,” she said.

Schnuell modeled several formal gowns for the show. With her short, spiky hair accented with a tiara, she represented a less traditional bridal style that complemented the creative floral designs.

Teens heading off to prom this spring also are likely to appreciate some non-traditional ideas, like the flowers stuck on bare skin with adhesive. Several models sported little floral accents on a bare shoulder or neckline, in addition to wearing wrist corsages.

Colorful wire was used liberally to accent the prom corsages. A simple red rose made a stunning boutonniere, paired with black ribbon and gold wire.

Some boutonnieres were created on a piece of cardstock that could slip into the breast pocket of a man’s jacket.

The flowers showed above the pocket, while the backing remained hidden.

In many of the bouquets, the use of dramatic foliage and branches offered a textural contrast, paired with wedding favorites such as roses and calla lilies.

“We’re trying to show traditional, but put a twist to it,” Edwards said. “Some things are a little more funky, a little more fun.”

She said the challenge was to add interest with foliage without overwhelming the flowers.

Waterous said her goal was to inspire students to be creative in their designs.

“When they work on a bouquet — even if it’s fairly classic — (I want them to) look at it to see what can they do to make it really special,” she said. “Every bride wants something special in her bouquet.”

She said the students enjoyed using colorful aluminum wire along with ribbon to accent their prom creations.

“For prom, it’s hard to make it too decorative,” Waterous said. “It’s a fun time.”

She advised the students to look at fashions and designs to create floral pieces to complement the clothing. She encouraged them to choose complementary colors rather than matching a dress color with flowers.

Waterous said that wedding flowers continue to be in demand despite the struggling economy this year.

“No matter how bad the economy, people will buy flowers for their wedding,” she said.