You don't have to be told that prom requires a lot of planning and
preparation. Although prom plans can sometimes seem more important than
studying for a test and tend to creep to the top of your to do list, it
doesn't mean prom planning has to stress you out. The trick is to start
early and stay organized.
That may be easier said than done. So, in case
you feel lost as to how to even begin planning for your prom, here's a
checklist of some of the common things needed to have arranged prior to prom
night:
Several months in advance - note:these activities are most
important to take care of early on because there is a good chance other
schools in your city will have prom the same weekend as you, and such things
as limousines and beach houses are limited. To get the dress or hotel room
you want, you must act early.
- Choose your prom group and make a commitment to that group -
Whether you're planning to go with just your date or arrange a group
party for prom, it's important to get yourself included early on
before any set arrangements get made
- Find a prom dress and shoes - Shopping early is a good idea in
case you can't find a dress you like and you decide to custom-make
something or the dress doesn't fit right and you need it altered
- Decide mode of transportation - If you want to rent a limousine
or party bus, begin researching various companies and decide which
one will fit your budget, then go ahead and make a reservation
- Post-party spot - This element of prom is usually the most
expensive aspect of your prom planning, so renting a beach house or
reserving a hotel room should definitely be a top priority in the
early part of your prom planning
Month or so in advance
- Make pre-party arrangements - It's a good idea to get your group
together prior to prom to take pictures and celebrate. Hiring a
caterer and finding reservations at a nice restaurant will become
increasingly difficult as the date gets closer
- Hair and makeup appointments - Making an appointment at least a
month in advance is necessary to be able to schedule these
appointments in conjunction with each other (hair first, then
makeup), not to mention every other senior girl in the city will be
vying for that ideal appointment time
- Makeup tip: get your makeup done at a cosmetic counter like
Bobbi Brown in a department store - not only do they do a good
job and are quick, but the makeover only costs what you want to
pay - I suggest buying the lip gloss they used on you: not only
is that one of the least expensive items, but it's also nice to
have for touch-ups)
Week or so in advance
- Make sure your date has ordered the corsage and that the color
and style of the corsage will go well with your dress (white is a
classic choice)
- Also, make sure the corsage has a band that will slip onto
your wrist (you'd be surprised, there are corsages that come
with just a ribbon and no band, so to avoid scrounging around
for a safety pin, make sure your date is very specific when he
orders the corsage)
Few days before
- Any additional beautifying activity you do (pedicure, eyebrow
wax, facial) - Just in case something goes wrong, taking care of
these things a few days in advance allows time for the redness to
subside or to fix chipped nail polish
Feeling overwhelmed? Understandable. But prom is supposed to be a fun
experience, so to rid yourself of some of the stress, just stay organized
and find ways to ease some of the pressure you feel. Here are some tips:
To stay organized,
- Create deadlines for yourself - Something similar to the
checklist above will help you define your priorities and stay on
task
- Write down everything - It's important to keep track of all the
information you have gathered because there will be millions of
different times, prices, appointments, and people owing you money -
so, to avoid confusion, just write it all down and you won't have to
worry about forgetting what time the limo is coming
To ease some of that pressure,
- Include your prom date in on some of the planning - Delegate
some of the work to him by saying, "You take care of the limo for us
and I'll make sure we're all set for the beach house." He should be
more than willing to help out (if not, then it might be time to get
yourself a new prom date)
- Make sure everyone in your group is dependable and is constantly
communicating the arrangements - If you're aware of what's going on,
you'll feel in control and much less stressed
- Take a break, and don't think about prom for a week or so -
There are other things in life than prom, and letting yourself step
away from it all for a little while may help put it in perspective
- Remember that, if all else fails, the important thing is to be
with friends - Even if forgetting to reserve the limo means that
your mom has to drive you to prom, think of it this way: you'll be
the one with the "my mom drove me to my prom" story that you and
your friends will laugh about for years to come. And isn't that what
prom is really all about anyway?
