The Prom Organiser

September 2, 2010

A brand new shiny school year, let's get prom-tastic!

So September is here (not quite sure what happened to August – I blinked and missed it) and that means back to school. If you're here, that means your school is having a prom (or you're just really hoping they will) so that's something to look forward to, right?

If you're looking forward to your school prom, you're in the right place!

In case you're new around here, let me tell you about some of the things we talked about last academic year and what we have lined up for this year.

And I'll also tell you about our juicy monthly prize draw on Facebook.

Before that though, don't forget to download your FREE prom organiser e-book by clicking on the link at the top, or the button over there on the right or just by clicking here. You go ahead, I can wait.

So, what can you read right here, right now to get you up to speed on all things prom-tacular?

Posts for prom committee peeps

From whether you're the right kind of person to be on a prom committee to the nuts and bolts of what the people on a prom committee actually do, this is the section you need to read if you want to be right in the thick of organising your school prom.

See all the prom committee posts

Fundraising and finance for proms

Not the most fun or glamorous part I know, but still important. Find posts on prom budgets, cashflow and how to manage it all in the prom finance section.

Organising the prom

Once you've got the committee and money plans all sorted, it's time to think about your prom theme, key people like your prom photographer and how to entertain your prom guests.

Enjoying your school prom

Let's face it, there are some bits that you might be worried about, such as the whole getting a prom date thing. Well, we've already given ten romantic ways to ask someone to be your prom date, wondered whether you even need a prom date anyway and given some tips on how NOT to get a prom date. No doubt there will be more to come…

See all of the "Enjoying your prom" posts.

Looking fab for your prom

And how could we have a prom blog without advice on how to look your most gorgeous on the night?

One of our most popular posts is about choosing the best prom dress design for your body shape, and there is also one about rather fabulous corsage bracelets too.

That leads me rather neatly onto what's coming soon: the first will be a post about which colour suits you best, and I'll be doing a series on different prom themes to help you with some ideas.

Is there anything you want to know about? If you have a prom related question, simply drop me a line and let me know.

Facebook

We hang out on Facebook too, come and join us and you'll automatically be entered into a monthly prize draw for iTunes vouchers (or vouchers for something else if you don't have an iPod). Find us on Facebook here and click on "like" at the top – we'd love to get to know you.

And don't forget your e-book!

Happy new school year!

Em x

The Prom Organiser wordsmith

Tags: Prom committee, Prom organising, school prom
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

July 29, 2010

Our first prom night reporter: Atif Ali!

I'm delighted to present the first article written by a member of our on-the-spot prom reporting team. The lovely Atif Ali has written all about the Small Heath School Prom for the class of 2010, so without any more ado, here's Atif's report.

Thanks Atif!

SMALL HEATH SCHOOL PROM 2010

When I started secondary school in 2005 the idea of going to prom didn’t even cross my mind. Furthermore it also didn’t cross my mind that it would be a big part of my life in the last year of school, never mind remain in my heart for undoubtedly the rest of my life.

It was around about the start of this year when it was confirmed that the idea of prom happening this year was going to become reality. I remember thinking about what I was going to wear and how it’d be like 7 months in advance!

1 week before Prom

Now it was the 1st July and I had finally bought all of my prom clothes and accessories. I still couldn’t believe that in 7 days it would be Prom and school life would be coming to an end.

I remember thinking ‘hold it together Atif’. So that’s what I did!

I was going to make this the best prom of Small Heath School!

3 days before Prom

It was the 5th July, and I had got 4 friends together to help out with an idea that I’d come up with.

The idea was to create a ‘backdrop’ which fellow students/friends would use as a background to photos they were going to take on the day.

So for the full day we put our heads down and ended up with something awful!

I spoke to a teacher Mrs Usman about it and we ended up arguing about changing the whole ‘backdrop’ idea but I was persistent about not changing it, in the end however it was changed but not until the final day…

PROM DAY!- 8th July 2010

Venue: Bia Lounge Time: 6PM-9PM

I was so excited I woke up at 9am even though prom wasn’t until 6 in the evening.

I spent most of Prom Day running around sorting out ‘my beautiful backdrop’. I was looking forward to putting it together and I remember saying to myself ‘stick to what you wanted to do, don’t listen to everyone else’.

However this would later turn out to count for nothing. It was 3 hours before Prom and Mrs Mckee, Mrs Usman, Anisa, Awaas, Bushra, Halima and I were all at the venue blowing up balloons, sorting the backdrop and generally decorating the place as much as possible.

As Mrs Usman, Anisa and me were trying to put the backdrop together they kept saying ‘it would look nice Atif it we cut the stickers out instead of sticking them like that’. Deep down I knew they were right but I wasn’t going to budge; this was my idea and I was going to do what I wanted to do! In the end I just went along with what they said however the last word was always going to be mine!

3 hours to go till Prom

I set off from the venue, when I got home there must have been about 2 hours to go – plenty of time to change – or was it? I remember my mum saying ‘Atif do this do that’ for an hour!

There was just one hour left and I finally got into the shower and had a trim. ½ hour to go till Prom which was at 6, I knew I was going to be late. I ironed my shirt which took 15 minutes! 15 minutes to do my hair and put on my clothes? I knew I was going to be late. So I started on my hair and was done by 6PM! Great I was late to Prom!

I put my clothes on, sprayed some perfume on and got out the house by 6:15 I must have arrived by 6:30 PM with the sound of Jay Sean Ride It was blasting in the car I was in. As soon as I arrived I remember one of the teachers saying ‘C’mon Atif we’ve been waiting for you’ which I must admit made me feel special.

The Prom!

I went inside Bia Lounge, our prom venue. Something stunned me: a DJ with music playing and two fellow students sitting down like they were watching him play.

A friend, Zain approached me as I went further in and I remember saying ‘what the hell is going on? This is prom, you don’t sit down, get everyone up!’

By 7 o'clock 9 out of 10 students were dancing, from the ‘geeks’ to the ‘gangsters’ which was a real achievement. Although I would like to take the credit, all credit goes to the DJ!

From 7- 7:30pm we had awards. Congratulations to Prom King and Queen; Khasad Ali and Rehana Kauser although I still believe I should have won Prom King, Next year eh?

Half 7 to 8pm was eating, personally I hated the food and didn’t eat most of mine, although people were going for seconds not mentioning any names (Mr Deaves).

8pm was when the DJ started the Music! 1 hour of non stop dancing – we were going to rock this dance floor by we I mean from everyone including Imran (receptionist) to Deputy Head Mrs Wilson.

8pm to 8:30 pm were the loudest most amazing times of times of my school career but it wasn’t over – we still had 30 minutes and we were going to use them wisely. I called over Hashim and said to him lets grab all the teachers from Mr Deaves (Head of DT) to Mrs Midworth ( Assistant Head) and at first they refused but this time I wasn’t going without a fight. In the end we had Mrs Wilson, Mrs Midworth, Mr Deaves, Mr Bhugvandeen, Imran, Nadeem, Mrs Kumar, Mrs Mckee & Mr Mohammed all on the dance floor!

8:30-9pm was incredible, fantastic, amazing, brilliant and not forgetting LOUD! We danced to everything, from YMCA to Bhangra.

I was enjoying every moment of it and I wasn’t going to stop! I was dancing with Mrs Wilson showing her how to dance.

9pm and it was over!

Small Heath School Prom for Class of the Decade was over and boy I was an emotional wreck but I kept it together. I was actually lost for words; I couldn’t describe this feeling, it was happiness and a sad feeling both in one.

All I could remember saying to myself was ‘I feel sorry for anyone who didn’t come tonight because they missed out on one of the best nights of their school careers’.

A feeling that I never thought I’d experience with a school had hit me; the feeling of pride. I was proud that I chose Small Heath School as my secondary school and I was proud of what had been achieved that night. The idea of making prom night the best night of our school lives had finally been made reality!

Atif Ali
Small Heath School
Class of 2010

—-

It's not too late to send us an article about your school prom – we'd like to post them over the whole summer. So if you want to show off your writing on your university application, or just get the kudos of being a published reporter (and a little thank you pressie from us too), check out the details in this post and drop us a line!

Tags: prom night, school prom, Small Heath School
Posted in Prom stars | No Comments »

July 16, 2010

Summer holidays!

Just a little note to say that as the summer holidays are here, we'll be slowing down our posts to have a break with you too.

If you're looking for good things to show universities in the future, why not join our prom reporting team and get something you've written online that you can show off. Believe me, universities and employers love anything that shows a student has been proactive and actively sought out opportunities to showcase their skills.

Find all the details here: Calling all budding journalists!

Planning your 2011 prom already?

If you are one of those amazing people that thinks several months in advance and are already planning your 2011 prom, take a look at some of the things we've been talking about since last autumn. And whilst you're here, download the free e-book so you can get cracking straight away.

Prom date posts – do you even want one, how to ask (of course)

Prom budget posts and financial advice for prom committees

Advice about prom photographers

Prom theme ideas and advice

And lots more! If there is something on your mind (to do with school proms that is!) type it into the search box and see if we've blogged about it. If not, drop us a line through the contact page and we'll do all we can to help.

We'll be posting the first prom report in the next week or so. Have a great summer everyone!

Tags: 2011 prom, prom planning
Posted in Enjoying your prom | No Comments »

June 23, 2010

Last minute preparations for a perfect prom night

So you're in the last week before your prom – everything's been picked out and bought, you know who you're going with (or who you're definitely not going with) and you know how you're getting to the prom too.

So that's the hard work done, right? Well yes, kind of, but I thought I'd list a few things that it's good to do in the days running up to the prom.

The week of the prom

To look your absolute best, the following small actions can have a big impact.

Go to bed early every night that week
I know it's boring, but believe me, it'll do wonders for those dark shadows under your eyes and it'll mean you'll have tonnes of energy to devote to the prom.

Drink plenty of water
It's good for skin and good for energy levels too. Did you know that professional make-up artists can tell what famous actors and rock stars have been up to just from their skin? Being fully hydrated reduces the chance of your skin looking dull and being dry.

Avoid bread
Bread can make your stomach bloat and take a couple of days to go down. Cutting it out a few days before the prom would be a good idea if your one of the unlucky souls like me whose body just doesn't like bread. There's nothing worse than a stomach like a beach ball when you're wearing a posh prom frock…

If you've ordered a corsage, check the order is okay
It probably is, but finding out if there's a problem three days before the prom rather than on the day is much better.

Buy your prom date's present
This should always be done when you have a couple of hours to devote to it, rather than a last minute panic.

Buy a spare pair of tights/stockings and clear nail varnish
So many get laddered in the excitement of getting ready – spares can be an absolute godsend, and the nail varnish is for your emergency kit.

Things not to do in the run up to prom night

Change any part of your skin care regime
Don't go for a facial in the last week before the prom – it can bring you out in spots. Stick to tried and tested products so you can be certain you won't have any break outs that could have been avoided.

Go on a mad tanning spree
Either in the back garden or at the salon – everyone knows it's bad for you, and there's nothing attractive about lobster red…

Experiment with fake tans that stain skin
Any fake tans that are designed to last for a few days are not good to try three days before prom night. You don't want to end up going orange, and then scrubbing yourself like a mad thing for hours on end to get rid of it.

Good things to sort out the day before the prom

Check that every part of your prom outfit is clean, ironed, polished – whatever!
This goes for the lads especially – look at every single thing you are going to wear and see if it needs to be cleaned. If you're hiring a suit, you still need to check you have other things ready; complacency can lead to last minute panics as your limo is waiting outside.

Wash your hair the night before the prom
If you're having your hair put up, wash it the night before so it doesn't just slide out of your hair grips. If your hair tends to go fluffy or frizzy after being washed, a night's sleep can help to calm it down.

Pack your emergency kit
Yes, it may only be a few things as listed in the Prom Organiser e-book, but trust me, the day of the prom will whiz by, so getting it all together the day before is the way forwards.

Check camera batteries
Well, that's just common sense, right?

So all that's left for me to say here is have a fabulous time! And don't forget, we'd love to have more people writing about their prom – check out this post for details.

Anyone got any other tips for the lead up to the prom?

Tags: prom date, prom night, week of the prom
Posted in Enjoying your prom | No Comments »

June 8, 2010

Calling all budding journalists!

Prom season is under way and if you haven't already had yours, it's not far off.

We'd love to hear about your school prom, and we're planning to run a regular feature over the summer looking at what schools have been doing all over the country, and we need your help!

If any of you are planning a career in journalism or writing for the web, this is a chance for you to get some exposure and have something to write on your university applications to boot. We'd love to gather a team of informal reporters who'll write an article for us about their school prom, and if there is a photo or two as well, that would be brilliant.

Fancy being a reporter for your school prom?

What we'll do for you
•   We'll send you some guidelines so you're not facing a blank page alone
•   We'll edit your article a tiny bit to make sure it's as polished as possible
•   We'll put a bio about you at the end of the article with a link to your site if you have one (and a picture of your shining face too if you want!)
•   You'll get all the credit and a permanent web page link that you can send out to family, friends, talent scouts ;o) But seriously, we'll keep the page safe with a permanent link so you can use it on applications for work experience / internships
•   We'll send you a little pressie to say thank you

What you need to do
•   Drop us a line through the contact form to say you want to join the team so we can send you guidelines
•   Write the article – around 500 words long is fine and that's only one page in Word.
•   Write a little bio about yourself (remember the golden rule of web writing: would you be happy for your Gran to read it?)
•   Send any pictures if you're happy for them to be published on the site

How does that sound? Drop us a line through the contact form if you're interested!

Tags: prom season, school prom
Posted in Competitions | 3 Comments »

May 25, 2010

Fun prom photos with a difference!

Hands up if you and your best mate (or boyfriend/girlfriend) have ever had your pictures together in one of those passport photo booths you find in Boots and supermarkets. (Now don't feel bad if you put your hand up with no-one there to see it, it's the spirit that counts, and yes, my hand is up now too.)

Why do we all do it? Because it's a great laugh, you get to take the pictures away and keep them forever afterwards, right? Imagine if you could do that whilst dressed up in your prom outfits. Even better, imagine that it has a background much more interesting than plain white, blue or grey – a backdrop designed to tie in with your prom theme even! Sound cool? Well, that's exactly what a rather brilliant company called Pergola Photo does: fun photo booths that you can have at your prom with decorated backdrops to go with your prom theme.

I interviewed the lovely Deborah who is the bright spark behind this idea to get the low-down on the Pergola "Fun booths" so you can learn all you need to know.

Prom Organiser: Your photo booths are a great idea – how do you sum up what you provide to people in a nutshell?

Deborah from Pergola: A Pergola "Fun Booth" is just like a passport photo booth but more luxurious, able to be decorated and using the latest state-of-the-art digital technology. The booth offers novel and lasting entertainment, quickly producing superb portraits that guests will enjoy and keep forever. The pictures provide happy memories and appealing souvenirs of their prom night.

Prom Organiser: Can the booths be decorated in any way by the prom committee?

Deborah from Pergola: Yes, but they should consult us first so they are fully aware of the specifications of the booth. We like to see a booth as a blank canvas, like a theatre set that can be decorated to match whichever prom theme they like.

The decor can be something simple or more exotic, a lavish beach hut with reeds and bamboo, butterflies and cockatiels, or the Taj Mahal booth design, to give a couple of examples.

Prom Organiser: Does a member of your company come to set everything up?

Deborah from Pergola: Yes, at least 2 people come to set it up and then stay for the rest of evening to help out.

Prom Organiser: How long does the setting up take?

Deborah from Pergola: This depends on where the Booth will be situated within a venue. Usually a total of between 1 to 1 ½ hours but we like to allow two.

Prom Organiser: Do the booths replace traditional photographers?

Deborah from Pergola: We are entertainment – NOT photography. If a prom was strapped for cash they could be an alternative but the pictures produced are a very different style to the ones provided by professional photographers. The photo booth pictures are very informal and private.

Prom Organiser: Tell me about the wristpic bands (again, another brilliant idea!)

Deborah from Pergola: These are USB memory sticks on a wrist band. Guests can use them to take their pictures home to load onto Facebook. It's on a wristband because prom dresses don't come with pockets! They cost around £5.00 each.

Prom Organiser: What is the funniest picture you've seen taken in one of your booths?

Deborah from Pergola: Hmmm, I daren't say! Some rather risqué pictures have been taken that we have been requested to delete afterwards.

Prom Organiser: Are the pictures stored over the evening so reprints can be ordered?

Deborah from Pergola: Yes, we keep the images for some time after the event. We don't display them on the Internet as we respect the privacy of individual guests, however, a DVD containing all the images is sent to the Host/Organiser.

As for reprints, we have a unique feature called the Concierge Desk. The photo concierge desk produces reprints and enlargements on the night itself, so there's no waiting around afterwards. Typically these are 4″ x 6″ but we can do 6″ x 9″ enlargements if anyone wants them.

Prom Organiser: What can be done with the pictures afterwards (thinking about prom year books, personalised T-shirts etc – do you help with any of those?)

Deborah from Pergola: Absolutely! We have a section on our website dedicated to school year books for example, we can also do mugs, key fobs and all sorts of digital take-home items. There are loads of ideas on our website.

Prom Organiser: If a prom committee is interested in hiring a booth, how do they do this? What is the booking process? (i.e. call, deposit, payment before/after event?)

Deborah from Pergola: We like to talk to the prom organiser or prom committee representative first in order to get the full details, e.g. number of guests, timings, décor etc. After which, I will send a confirmatory email giving prices and what they will get for their money. We require a 50% deposit with the balance being paid at least 4 weeks before the event.

So there you have it – what a great idea! Pergola Photo has loads of experience and have provided their booths to huge events and weddings as well as proms, so you don't have to worry about getting in touch. Have fun!

Tags: Pergola Photo, prom photo booths, prom photos
Posted in Prom organising | No Comments »

May 6, 2010

Ten romantic ways to ask someone to be your prom date

Warning: This post may contain material of a romantic nature. If you are offended by romantic gestures, look away now

A little while ago we had a comment that made me happy and broke my heart all at the same time (hey, I'm complicated).

"I want to ask a girl out to prom using a treasure hunt but I don't know what to write for clues!? I want to start from her locker and end it at the baseball field."

Awww, if that doesn't just melt your heart you're not human. Or maybe you're just too cool for that, but anyway, I felt it was time to give David some tips, and also add a few other ideas for cool ways to ask someone to be your prom date.

N.B. Even if you are already going out with someone and you plan to go to the prom with them, why not make a fuss of them and ask romantically anyway? No-one likes to be taken for granted, and if you do something romantic before the night, the prom will be even more special for the both of you (and you earn extra boyfriend/girlfriend points).

For the creative amongst you

1. The treasure hunt

Fix a starting point and an end point then walk a route between the two locations, making notes on any interesting features along the way. They should be things that either stand out when in sight (like a particular statue or poster or decoration of some kind) or are a well-known, commonly used location (e.g. the school canteen). Pick out a series of these locations that would lead your hunter naturally from one place to the next and then write a clue for each location. One could be "The next clue is at the feet of an old stone queen." if one of your locations is a statue of a queen.

Pick brightly coloured paper or card to write your clues on so that when your hunter is close having followed the last clue, they'll be able to spot the next one waiting for them. Choose a time of day that isn't too busy to make it less likely to be sabotaged by other people finding the clues instead.

If you really want to be creative, the clues could be rhyming riddles, or you could put clues in quirky places, one could be designed as a poster on a notice board for example, or you could ask someone to keep a clue in an envelope and only hand it over to the hunter who has solved the riddle. The more imaginative, the more impressed your chosen will be…

2. A sweet approach

Get the local cake/cookie/chocolate shop to decorate one of their tastiest treats with a message asking your chosen out to the prom with you. Get them to display it in the front window and either take the girl/boy with you 'window shopping' or send them a text message saying that they have something in the window of that shop waiting for them. The treat will speak for itself.

For the brave and dramatic amongst you

3. Wearing the message

Draft out your message such as "Em, will you be my prom date?" and have a set of t-shirts printed up with a word per t-shirt. Throw a party (or simply pick a lunchtime when you'll all be together), asking your closest friends to put the t-shirts on at a pre-arranged time and line up so your chosen can read the message. Make sure you pick *really* reliable friends who won't mess it up!

Tip: you could always have them numbered on the back so you could hide behind the line of people and see that they are in the right order without looking like you're doing it

4. A 'surprise' picnic for two

Ask a friend or even better, a reliable family member, to set up the perfect picnic for you in the local park. Take your chosen on a walk that just happens to stumble across this picnic just for you, then ask them to the prom. If they say no at least you'll still have a picnic to enjoy.

5. The classic 'say it with flowers' approach

Of course, there is always the big bunch of flowers or single rose with a note attached. If you want to be bold, and if you think your chosen will like being the centre of attention, you could have them delivered to your school.

6. Or say it with a big balloon instead

If you're asking a boy out it's perfectly acceptable to send flowers (this is the 21st century after all) but if you think he won't like it, you could send a big fancy balloon instead – and that will last longer and not need water…

7. Write it for all to see

Another idea if your chosen likes attention is to write your message on the board of your form room – but this is only for the bravest amongst you because it'll be horribly embarrassing if the answer is no!

For the shy (and perhaps a little geeky) amongst you

8. The coded message

If you and your chosen lean towards the geeky like I do, a coded message would be a great way to ask someone to the prom. If you're unsure of a good code to use, there are tonnes of places on the web that could help you. Or you could pick a book that you both like and provide a code based on finding words on particular pages. Now that's really geektastic

9. Make a little nook on the web

Set up a webpage (you could use a free blog provider like WordPress for example) with your message on it. You could password protect it and send a note to your chosen with the web page and password.

10. Sneaky digital pictures

Make some posters with your message on it (a word per poster) and place them in interesting locations. Ask to borrow your chosen's mobile phone, take a picture of them in reverse order and invite them to look at the most recent photos. This would only work if you're already good friends, as I would never advocate borrowing anyone's tech without permission, even for a romantic cause. They'll just get stressed and it won't put them in the best mood to say yes, will it?

Have you got any romantic tips to add on asking someone to the prom?

So there you have ten romantic ways to ask your chosen out to the prom, and even if you are shy and geeky there's no excuse to not be romantic.

Have you got any ideas to add? Or any sticking points on a scheme you're cooking up? Offer your ideas and ask your questions in the comments, we're here to help

Tags: prom date, romantic gestures, will you be my prom date?
Posted in Enjoying your prom | No Comments »

April 27, 2010

Amazing corsages for your prom

The 'Jelly Bean' turquoise corsage bracelet

Here at the Prom Organiser we like to keep an eye out for things we think you'll love, and we've come across something wonderfully sparkly to do with prom corsages. (Everyone likes sparkly things, right?)

Corsage Creations has mixed the traditional fresh flower prom corsage with a huge dollop of 21st century bling, and we've gone crazy for them. They sell bracelets that are specially designed to have fresh flowers attached to them, and with lots of glam designs, you can pick the one that goes best with your outfit, and then keep the bracelet afterwards.

I've interviewed James Douthwaite, the man behind Corsage Creations, to make sure we're all up to speed on the latest in the prom corsage world.

Prom Organiser: What is a corsage and how/where is it worn?

James: A corsage is a flower arrangement that can be worn on the lapel of the jacket or more commonly now on the wrist and in some cases in the hair or even on the ankle.

Prom Organiser: Any general advice on choosing a corsage?

James: Start with your outfit, and then choose a bracelet that will match. Your florist will be able to recommend the best flowers to use when you take your bracelet to them with a description of your dress. Many florists are now stocking the bracelets too, so you may be able to buy one there.

Prom Organiser tip: take a swatch of the fabric or the dress itself, if you can, so the florist can see the colour.

Prom Organiser: You offer bracelets – could you tell us some more about them and explain how they are made into a corsage?

James: Our bracelets have a unique patented rubber base, which allows flowers to be glued or wired on to it. We have many colours and styles of bracelets to match any outfit.

Prom Organiser: What's the best way to keep a fresh flower corsage at its best for the evening?

James: Your florist will spray the flowers with a finishing spray that will ensure the flower looks fresh, and of course the florist would use fresh flowers anyway.

Silver Corsage Bracelet

Prom Organiser: When is the best time to buy one? I'd be worried about leaving it to the last minute, but they need to be fresh.

James: It’s best to order two or three weeks in advance and arrange to collect it on the day of your prom.

Prom Organiser: In America, tradition dictates that the boys buy the corsage for the girls. Is that the case in the UK in your experience?

James: It is not so much a traditional thing over here; girls are buying corsages as an accessory to add something to their outfit. However some boyfriends do buy them for their girlfriends as a lovely present.

Prom Organiser: Is there anything a girl can buy their date; are buttonholes popular as gifts for example?

James: Buttonholes are a useful way for couples to match, for example if the girl has a rose in her corsage, the boyfriend could have a rose in his buttonhole to match.

Prom Organiser: Are some flowers more suitable than others?

James: Roses and carnations are great but really any flowers would work, even orchids. The florist will know best so ask them to recommend the flower that is best for your outfit.

Prom Organiser: What are the hallmarks of a well made corsage?

James: A well made corsage looks beautiful, delicate and adds that perfect finishing touch to any outfit. But at the same time it has to be sturdy enough to withstand the full rigours of the prom, no matter how much you want to dance.

Prom Organiser: Is there a way to preserve a corsage afterwards?

James: Yes, by using silica gel, flowers can be dried out and kept for years, although most people are just keeping the bracelet as a keepsake.
—

Many thanks to James for his knowledge and advice. You can order a corsage creation bracelet direct from Corsage Creations or you can ask your local florist if they stock the bracelets. Then once you have it, simply take it to your local florist when you place your order. Sorted!

Tags: corsage bracelets, corsage creations, Prom corsages
Posted in Prom outfits | No Comments »

April 8, 2010

Stop the press! Essex prom fayre announced!

If you live in Essex and it's your prom year, then here's something for your diary: a prom fayre is being held by Confetti and Couture at the Palms Hotel, Hornchurch, Essex on the 25th April from 11am-4pm.

It's free to get in and there will be tea and cakes! What more could you want? Oh, I think you might be interested in the fabulous prom dresses that you'll find there, and if you register at the door, you'll get a free goody bag. But seriously people, tea and cakes!

Sorry, I'm in a silly mood. If you do go, have a fabulous time and let us know all about it. And if you've heard about a prom fayre in your area, why not drop us a line so we can help spread the word?

Tags: essex prom fayre, prom dresses, prom fayres
Posted in Prom organising | 1 Comment »

March 29, 2010

The post-prom party

Everything in prom land is gearing up for the school prom itself, but have you got any plans to do anything afterwards? I'm curious because in America, where school proms have been happening for decades, what you all do after the prom is a really big deal.

Prom night safety

One of the reasons why post-prom activities are a hot topic over there is that parents are worried about their teens drinking and then getting into cars and doing stupid things. Or drinking and getting up to… things that may have consequences nine months later, or spread nasty diseases. Euw.

So the parents over there are organising big parties so all their teens can go to those instead of getting up to dodgy things on their own.

Are there similar concerns here in the UK?

Have you been discussing what to do afterwards with your friends? I haven't seen much talk about it on this side of the Atlantic, which surprises me, considering the amount of air-time that teen drinking gets on the news (sigh) and the way the press loves to make out that teen culture is going to the dogs. Maybe they're waiting until June to trot those reports out?

But seriously, do you have plans for after the prom?

Aside from the safety concerns, I really like the idea of arranging to go to someone's house afterwards to drink hot chocolate and talk about the evening. Whenever I went to balls and big social events, I hated going straight to bed afterwards, even though my feet were killing me (why do we wear such silly shoes?) and I was shattered. But all the excitement was still racing around my body, so trying to sleep was just crazy.

If you haven't already, maybe you should make plans to stay over at a friend's house so you can wind down together. Or you could 'go American' and arrange a second huge (and safe, alcohol-free) party for after the prom, though if you're on the prom committee, the thought of arranging another party afterwards may not fill you with enthusiasm! What are your thoughts about this?

P.S. The clever, wonderful people who have already downloaded our e-book have had a sneaky peek at a monthly competition we're running for our Facebook fans. If you become a fan of the Prom Organiser there, at the end of every month you'll have a chance of winning a £20 iTunes voucher (or another type if you don't use iTunes). But you have to be a fan to have a chance…

Tags: post-prom activities, post-prom party, school proms
Posted in Enjoying your prom | 1 Comment »

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