A few tips for teens: Planning a prom-tastic night

Published 6:50 am Wednesday, April 1, 2015

The date is set and you’re set with a date (congrats). The rest is as easy as 1, 2, 3 … 4, 5, 6 … well, you get the picture.

Hopefully your date is a friend or someone you’re already dating. That “in between, not sure where we stand” thing is a nightmare for prom night. Trust me. Once you have a date, your next job is to find a group of friends to go with. There is no better way to go. No matter who your date is, there is fun (and safety) in numbers.

Now it’s time to plan your attire. Guys, you have it easy: rent a tux. Check your date’s dress color so that you can pick out a matching vest if you want. Keep track of everything that comes with the tuxedo like the cuff links, etc., so that you don’t lose everything and return it all in working order. Ladies, your outfit will probably take a bit more work. Buckle up.

Dress: Shop early. Bring a variety of bras or one that converts to strapless, backless, or whatever you might need. When you are in the dressing room, do the bend-over-and-sit-down tests. If the dress is so short that it doesn’t entirely cover every part that touches the chair, please don’t wear it. Seriously.

Hair: If possible, know ahead of time whether you will be wearing your hair up or down, and then wear it that way when you shop. In general, the higher the neckline, the higher, or more pulled back, the hair should be. Do a practice run if it’s tricky. If someone else will be doing it, have the appointment made well in advance and wear something that doesn’t go over your head.

Jewelry: The more detailed and sparkly the dress, the more understated the jewelry should be. Otherwise, the sparkles start competing and everyone loses. Vice versa holds true as well – the more simple the dress, the more elaborate the jewelry can be.

Shoes: I cannot stress this enough, and yet I still know you will all ignore this. Comfort above all else. If your shoes aren’t comfortable, then all you will be thinking of is where you can sit to relieve the pain, and where you can stash them until the night is over. Who wants to hide an amazing pair of shoes?

Purse: That’s right; you will need a purse. Tuck in your phone, extra cash, safety pins, bobby pins, hairspray, your driver’s license, and whatever makeup you’ll need for touching up.

Coat: While most of you won’t give the weather much thought, do consider being prepared. No one likes being cold, and only the truest gentleman will lend you his tux jacket. Hint, hint … are you reading this, guys?

Now that you’re both dressed, let’s focus on the party. Will you eat in or out? A restaurant dinner will be more expensive, and you’ll need to get reservations, especially for a larger group. I suggest stepping it up; it’s my personal opinion that no matter how funny you think it is to go to McDonald’s in a formal, this isn’t the time. Eating in can be less expensive and way more fun. Consider which home can fit the group and then make some decisions. Girls cook and boys clean? Vice versa? Better yet, split into teams and make it a competition. The cost of the meal can be split and it doesn’t have to be fancy to be fun. Take pictures before you eat … so you don’t have to Photoshop out the spaghetti sauce on the shirt.

Transportation is next. Boys, I promise you that your date doesn’t care how you get there. Don’t blow your cash on a ride … no one needs to arrive at prom in a helicopter. Your date will care most about how you treat her. Open the door for her when she gets in and out of the car, buildings, rooms etc. It matters!

Don’t wait until the last minute to take care of the details. Order the corsage and boutonniere two weeks out and gentlemen, check with your date to see if she wants a wrist or pin corsage and what color.

What is happening after the dance? Is there an after-prom party organized by the school or other organization? These are fun, but may require some prior registration, so be prepared. Wherever you plan on going, you might think about bringing some comfy clothes. Not all prom outfits work for relaxing on a couch.

Final thoughts: Be home on time. Walk your date to the door, regardless of how the evening went, or whether you’re dating or just friends. Tell each other that you had a good time and say thank you! Guys, don’t let this get awkward. Know ahead of time if you want to go in for a goodnight kiss. If you don’t, clearly turn your head to the side when you give her a hug.

Keep in mind that no matter how this evening goes, it is a night you will talk about for a long time. Either it will go perfectly and you will be able to brag about how great it was, or it will be a total disaster and will provide hilarious stories for the rest of your life. Best of luck!

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Suzanne Kennedy is a former middle school teacher who lives in Pendleton with her husband and three children.