10 things to think about when planning a prom
The Prom is seen by most as a rite of passage. A semi-formal or formal dance held at the end of the academic year, the Prom celebrates the last 12 months’ achievements and gives all the students a fun night to remember. Proms are an American tradition but more and more schools in the UK are organising their own versions. So, if you’ve been drafted in to help plan a prom where do you start?
Choosing your prom committee
A prom takes a lot of planning and forming a prom committee is essential for sharing the workload. One person should take the lead to oversee everything, tasks should be pinpointed and distributed. It may be worth considering breaking out into smaller sub-committees for tasks such as budget, fundraising, logistics, decorations, catering, entertainment, tickets and invitations.
Setting your budget
It’s not the fun part, but so necessary! The big consideration here is how the school usually funds these events. Most of the funds may come from ticket sales so choosing a ticket price and starting to sell tickets should be a priority! Some schools will rely on fundraising events to raise the necessary funds. Typical fundraisers include car washes and bake sales but don’t be afraid to think outside of the box with a talent contest or promise auction.
Picking your date and venue
First things first, it’s important to choose a date where nothing else is happening in the neighbourhood – you don’t want to limit your choices in venue or entertainment because another school is having prom the same night. After choosing the date, finding and securing a venue is key, so start as soon as possible. Hotels, golf clubs, rugby clubs, riverboats and private hire nightclubs are all popular options for prom venues but don’t be afraid to opt with using the school itself (particularly if the budget is tight).
Deciding on a theme
Under the sea, back to the future, a night in Paris, Alice in Wonderland, carnival – ideas for a prom theme are endless. Brainstorm some ideas with your prom committee and put the most popular ones to the students for a vote. Find decorations that match your theme! Balloons and hanging decorations and a fairly cheap way to add a bit of colour to the room whereas flowers, candles or colourful napkins can work on tables.
One perfect way for a prom to stand out from other events is to incorporate inflatable decorations. Not only do they add an extra dose of fun and life to your decorations, but they can also be custom-made to fit any kind of theme you’re looking for. With custom-shaped inflatables, anything from sports team logos to favourite characters can easily be created and displayed. Plus, you won’t have to worry about a decline in quality over time – inflatables are designed with longevity and durability in mind so that you don’t have to go through the hassle of having to replace them often. When it comes to creating an elaborate, stunning prom scene with decorations that truly capture the spirit of your theme, make sure you consider inflatable decorations!
Set your rules
No one wants a school event to end up a disaster. Make sure your prom rules are clear and upfront. Rules may extend to attire (no sneakers!), a refund policy, requirement for ID, a “no late entry” rule, etc. It is worth looking into the Prom Promise – a pledge that compels prom-goers to use their best judgement.
Entertainment, entertainment, entertainment!
What sort of entertainment will you have at your Prom? Music is a must, but do you want a Band or DJ? If going for a DJ try to find one that will play music suited to teens (most will be used to weddings and corporate parties). Other entertainment ideas include a fortune teller or tarot reader, karaoke, a movie corner, party inflatables, a caricaturist or a photo booth. Audition your entertainment options and once you find the perfect match, book it!
Consider the refreshments
Full dinner or just canapés? The theme, budget and dietary restrictions will be the main consideration when looking at catering. The most popular choice for a school prom is an evening buffet as it is usually a slightly cheaper option and allows the students to dance and socialise, rather than being stuck at a table. Remember to consider dietary requirements such as vegetarians, vegans, gluten-free, dairy-free, halal, nut allergies etc.
Invitations/ Tickets
Ticket sales are key to boosting the budget. After all the main details like date and venue have been chosen you can start sending out invitations and sell some tickets! Think outside the box! You can advertise the event through T-shirts, emails and posters or for a touch of luxury print invitation cards that coordinate with the theme of the prom and send to your guests.
Capture memories
Sure, there will be lots of selfies taken at your prom but nothing beats the quality of a professional photographer like Ignite Images Event Photography who will be placed to capture the best shots. why not set up a DIY photo booth to match the prom’s theme and add some funny hats and glasses? Everyone will be lining up to get a fantastic snap from prom night.
Chaperones
Chaperones are a must at any event with teenagers! Although the prom is run by the students, the adult chaperons are there to make sure everyone is safe. Usual duties include making sure there are no fights, no one is getting frisky in the bathrooms, there are no drugs or alcohol brought into the prom and the punch isn’t spiked! Chaperones also model good prom behaviour and keep it from getting out of hand.
