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Once upon a time, in a land not so far away was a night of dashing dates and dancing and beautiful dresses. Now it is your turn. It is your prom, so you write the ending.
Will you have a fairy tale ending, or will you be left with a glass slipper that just does not fit? Here are some things to remember for the big night so you will remember your prom night fondly forever!
Most of us know the usual list of common sense, obvious, good prom etiquette. Like giving your date a corsage or boutonniere, opening doors for your date (guys) or saving the first and last dance for your date (both). However, here are a few things that you might not have thought about for a picture perfect, problem-free prom.
Money - Many people go to proms in a group. Make sure, before you go, the expenses for the limousine, restaurant and after-party are fairly divided. You don’t want drama over dough to put a damper on your evening. Also, don’t forget to include the tip for the limo driver in your tally. Ladies, it is polite to offer to help with some of the expenses.
Dining - The usual good manners apply. Turn off those cell phones, wait until everyone is served before you start to eat, and don’t make rude remarks about the restaurant if it wasn’t your first choice.
Groups - The size of the group and the size of the drama can be directly proportional, so a smaller group might be a safer bet to ensure a better time. It is hard to get a large group to agree on anything and the logistics of coordinating a large group can be a major headache. In addition, make sure that it is not just your friends in the group - your date should have friends in the group as well. It is their prom too, and you don’t want them to feel out of place.
At the Dance - Of course, the most important thing is….Don’t brush off your date! Be generous with compliments for your friends and classmates - they spent a lot of time preparing for this night also.
After-party - Make sure that you and your parents agree on the rules for the after-party, where you can go, and how late you can stay out. Work this well in advance. In addition, while prom is supposed to be a memorable night, you don’t want to be remembered for attitude or alcohol when it is all over. The highlights of your night should entail the dress and dancing, not drunken antics. Even if you had nothing to drink, others might, so be especially careful on the road to the party and home.
Aftermath - Be sure to thank everybody who had a part in making your prom night special – your date, your parents for the financial help and support, and the people in your group who made all the group arrangements.
You might have friends and classmates who want to go to the prom, but haven’t been asked. Be considerate … it is very hard for them to listen to prom talk for weeks before and weeks after the big night.
Sometimes the planning and anticipation of the prom overshadows the event itself. Don’t get too wound up on prom night - relax and have a good time. If not everything goes exactly how you anticipated, it can still be fun. Remember it is YOUR PROM and it is only fun if YOU make it fun.
