Prom Party Ideas

The highlight to many high school students’ year is a little event called the PROM.  This formal party is usually held in the Spring, and it is typically for seniors (and oftentimes juniors) to attend.  Students spend hours primping and planning, picking the perfect outfit and finding that special date.  For many, the Prom is the last major event of high school, a sign of the end of life as it is known and the beginning of a new chapter.  With all the time, money and energy that goes into this one night, it seems only fitting to create an atmosphere that allows the party to continue outside the specified times.  Consider hosting a pre- or post-prom party!

To host a pre-prom party, planning is simple yet essential.  Start with a guest list, consisting of guests and their dates.  If the party will center around dinner, or even earlier in the day with a luncheon, consider this in the planning and in creating a budget.  The date should coincide with prom, but the time can be flexible.  Hosting a party earlier in the day can make for an informal, relaxing gathering of friends, visiting and enjoying each other’s company and friendships.  Or, for a more formal flair, schedule the event to lead right up to the prom.  Guests may arrive in their evening attire for a lovely dinner and casual visiting before leaving for the party.

A pre-prom dinner is the most popular form of private party.  Keep the menu simple and take into consideration the attire of the guests - buffalo wings and barbeque would not be good choices while everyone is in their finery!  Allow time for photographs and posing.  If the group will be traveling in hired vehicles, such as cabs and limousines, be sure that arrangements have been made for that purpose. 

Decorating for such an event should be kept simple, but consider coordinating with the overall theme of the prom.  If the theme of the prom is of a tropical nature, look for decor that is complimentary, such as luau or Hawaiian-themed items.  If the party will be a Hollywood party, look at decorations and accessories around a movie or theater theme.  Of course, the theme doesn’t necessarily have to match the prom theme; beach themes and even graduation themes make excellent choices as well. 

Providing a momento for the guests is not necessary, but it can be a fun idea to add to the occasion.  Get the guests involved by having them decorate mat boards for picture frames, then take a group picture before they depart to place in the frame to remember the occasion. Or, look into other items that can be easily personalized by the group: pillowcases, tumblers or glasses, masks (if the prom is a Mardi Gras or masquerade theme), and small scrapbooks or photo albums make great decorative items.  Another fun idea is to give each guest a disposable camera to use for the evening.  They are compact to carry yet inexpensive enough that guests do not have to worry about toting around a more expensive digital camera.

The prom can be a wonderful, exciting evening for high school students.  Make the most of the day by exending the celebration beyond the eight to midnight timeframe!