Prom Fayre

Albrighton Hall Hotel and Spa, in Shrewsbury held their first Prom Fayre on October 20th. The evening was a great success with over 50 local girls modeling an amazing array of prom dresses from Jessica’s Bridal in Frankwell and Shropshire Designer Grace Barby of Grace and Glory.

Viv Kelly Dance school also performed 2 routines one in amazing funky tights from Thighs the Limit based in Mardol, Shrewsbury. There were lots of exhibitors with a great choice of accessories and jewellery from Masque Boutique, MeMe Mode and Solo Jewellery all local independent companies.

The boys weren’t left out as 2 local boys modeled suits from Skopes a new menswear concession located in House of Fraser.Local hairdresser Claire Greenhow was on hand not only to do all the models hair but also continued to show the audience lots of great prom hairstyles.

Brian Fisher Photography and Malcolm Whittall local cartoonist,amused us all.The atmosphere was extremely party-like with one of the suites dressed as an actual prom night,complete with helium balloons supplied by the Giant Party shop,disco, fantastic lighting, a lifesize James Bond model and even giant Oscars, supplied by Solid Gold entertainment.

Get me to the Prom on time!

 The theme didn’t just stop inside the hotel, there were vehicles from 2XL Limousines and a Vintage bus from Bolton's, and even a Red London double decker. 

 The raffle raised over £170 for the Breast Cancer Campaign, first prize was a Prom dress,which was won by a lady who booked her Summer ball at the Albrighton Hall Hotel on the evening,she was absolutely delighted.

Fiona Clarke, Business Development Co-Ordinator for the hotel said “ We really wanted to showcase all the local talent we have and give the teenagers some inspiration, the girls had a fabulous time and looked fantastic,the feedback has been so positive, I was even asked if I would do another one this year, we will definitely be making it an annual event, so date for your diary 19th October 2012.”

For more information contact Fiona 01939 291732

View details here ( www.ukpromshow.co.uk)  with a list of exhibitors, links to exhibitor’s web sites. Directions to the venues and also a page to register for free tickets.

Admission is FOC & guests will be greeted with a complimentary non alcohol cocktail & an A5 Prom Brochure.

Whether taking place at a local hotel or country club, or even at the school itself, the sight of stretched limos, classic cars, buses, fire engines horse drawn carriages, tractors with trailers and even helicopters, bringing beautifully dressed young ladies and handsomely dressed young men is becoming all the more common.  For most of the guests the glittering ball gown or new suits or hired tux are obviously not their usual attire – and it shows, as they awkwardly settle into the evening.  The flash of cameras is continuous as groups of friends and classmates, with whom they have shared the highs and lows, come together to celebrate, experiencing a rite of passage in surroundings worthy of such an event  - it’s the school Prom. 

In the last six years, this high school import from the U.S. has become a major focus of activity alongside year 11 examinations and the decisions relating to the students’ futures. 

The Prom is often largely organised by the students themselves, overseen by a senior member of staff.  Not only is it a major focus for the students, it has also become of commercial importance for local traders and service providers. In some parts of the U.K. there are now prom fairs where local providers offer schools and their students presentations on how they can assist in making the Prom night one to remember.  Venues, caterers, dress and suit hire companies, entertainment artists/discos, novelty transport, make-up specialists , decorations and event photographers will all be on hand to help make it a night to remember.  It’s rapidly becoming big business. 

Brian Fisher, an event photographer and an ex-teacher of social ethics in a number of Shropshire schools, finds this new love of the prom very interesting.  He firmly believes that this new experience can be of great value socially for the local teenagers.  Organising the event in a safe environment, at venues outside of their normal experience is a positive learning experience, whilst the formal wear also helps them to enter the world of adulthood.  For some, this form of celebration will become a regular thing as they journey through life, for others though, this will be a special experience to be treasured by them and their family.  As a photographer and an ex-teacher secondary school teacher, Brian has become very conscious that some businesses see The Prom as a means of making a good income from vulnerable teenagers and their families.  However, he also recognises that it’s a great opportunity for local companies to display the quality of their services and products. This way, as they become independent adults, the teenagers will return to develop relationships with these businesses as they celebrate other family, business or social events throughout their lives. As a photographer who takes, prints and sells the prom photographs on the night, I have gained future bookings for weddings, family portraits, social events etc. 

I would hope that other businesses would see the Prom in such a way, by reducing their prices, offering first class service, offering free advice to prom organisers and hopefully making The Prom an event which everyone can enjoy. 

For more information about Brian Fisher, take a look at his web site www.shropshirephotographer.co.uk 

Or view his advertisement opposite this post.

Here are some tips to help you figure out which colour is best for your prom dress.

Look in your wardrobe

It might sound stupid, but you may well already know which colours suit you the best. Look at what you tend to pick for yourself, and focus on the pieces you like to be seen in the most. These are usually the ones that get the most compliments when you wear them. Are there one or two colours that feature more than others? Well, that's likely to be one that looks good on you, as our choices are shaped by the feedback we've had in the past.

What colour eyes do you have?

If you have blue or green eyes, then picking a dress in a similar colour can make your eye colour stand out even more, making them look particularly striking. Sorry to people with brown eyes, but brown dresses don't tend to have the same impact.

Colour wheels, colour seasons etc

There are sophisticated colour consultants out there who talk about finding your right 'season' or area of the colour wheel that contains the colours that suit you the best. These can help you, but as there are lots of different systems out there, make sure you find advice that is cohesive within an approach, i.e. follow it through from start to finish as they do differ from each other.

Tricky prom dress colours

Citrus: As a general rule, the darker your skin, the better you will look in bright yellows, oranges and greens. Watch out for fake tans by the way – citrus colour dresses will really bring out any orange…

Cream and white: There are different shades of cream and white – don't think that if one white piece of clothing looks good on you, they all will. It’s really important to hold the fabric against your skin and see whether it makes your skin glow with health or makes you look sickly pale. And remember – just one spot on that dress will show! Do you want to risk it?

Aren't there rules for which colours suit different people?

Yes, there are all kinds of rules for everything, but when it comes to prom dresses, the fabric, colour saturation, shine or matt fabric effects, accessories etc all make a difference. That means any rule will have exceptions.

What finding the right colour for your prom dress really boils down to is this:

A colour that really suits you makes you look healthy and brings out all of your best features. If you compare it with a colour that really doesn’t suit you, you can see a real difference.

If you hold up a colour against you skin and it washes you out, or makes you look sallow and unhealthy, it simply isn't for you, no matter how lovely the dress design is.

When you're out shopping for your prom dress, ask to be able to try it on somewhere that has natural daylight – if it's a shop, ask if they have a mirror they can carry to near the shop window so you can see yourself in natural light, rather than just looking in the changing room.

Over to you!
Anyone else got advice about this? If so, share it in the comments below!

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

Here are some tips to help you figure out which colour is best for your prom dress.

Look in your wardrobe

It might sound stupid, but you may well already know which colours suit you the best. Look at what you tend to pick for yourself, and focus on the pieces you like to be seen in the most. These are usually the ones that get the most compliments when you wear them. Are there one or two colours that feature more than others? Well, that's likely to be one that looks good on you, as our choices are shaped by the feedback we've had in the past.

What colour eyes do you have?

If you have blue or green eyes, then picking a dress in a similar colour can make your eye colour stand out even more, making them look particularly striking. Sorry to people with brown eyes, but brown dresses don't tend to have the same impact.

Colour wheels, colour seasons etc

There are sophisticated colour consultants out there who talk about finding your right 'season' or area of the colour wheel that contains the colours that suit you the best. These can help you, but as there are lots of different systems out there, make sure you find advice that is cohesive within an approach, i.e. follow it through from start to finish as they do differ from each other.

Tricky prom dress colours

Citrus: As a general rule, the darker your skin, the better you will look in bright yellows, oranges and greens. Watch out for fake tans by the way – citrus colour dresses will really bring out any orange…

Cream and white: There are different shades of cream and white – don't think that if one white piece of clothing looks good on you, they all will. It’s really important to hold the fabric against your skin and see whether it makes your skin glow with health or makes you look sickly pale. And remember – just one spot on that dress will show! Do you want to risk it?

Aren't there rules for which colours suit different people?

Yes, there are all kinds of rules for everything, but when it comes to prom dresses, the fabric, colour saturation, shine or matt fabric effects, accessories etc all make a difference. That means any rule will have exceptions.

What finding the right colour for your prom dress really boils down to is this:

A colour that really suits you makes you look healthy and brings out all of your best features. If you compare it with a colour that really doesn’t suit you, you can see a real difference.

If you hold up a colour against you skin and it washes you out, or makes you look sallow and unhealthy, it simply isn't for you, no matter how lovely the dress design is.

When you're out shopping for your prom dress, ask to be able to try it on somewhere that has natural daylight – if it's a shop, ask if they have a mirror they can carry to near the shop window so you can see yourself in natural light, rather than just looking in the changing room.

Over to you!
Anyone else got advice about this? If so, share it in the comments below!

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!

Prom dresses and endless choices

The wonderful thing about school prom dresses is that you have so much choice; you aren’t restricted to only wearing full length gowns, or only cocktail dresses. When it comes to prom gowns, as long as it’s glamorous, anything goes. I’ll be writing all kinds of posts about prom dresses over the next few months, so I want to start at the absolute beginning of your selection process: knowing what style of prom dress suits your shape.

No matter what shape you are, you can find a prom dress that looks fabulous.

If there is anything the wonderful Gok Wan has taught us, it’s that you don’t have to be an underweight supermodel to look fantastic in a frock. Whatever shape you are, there is an ideal style to suit you, you just need to identify three things about your figure:

1. Your overall body shape
2. One feature you like to show off
3. The feature you most want to hide

I’ll take you through each one step-by-step, the rest is up to you and your shopping stamina!

The Prom Organiser’s guide to prom dresses for every body shape

Curvy hourglass

Lucky you! With your bust and hips perfectly balanced and a slim waist to boot, you can carry off most styles of dress. Some A-line styles won’t make the best of your figure, though most formal gowns will suit your shape, especially those that have a defined waist.

Boyish figure

If you’re slender but there isn’t much definition between your waist and hips, an Empire line gown is a good choice. The style is designed to take attention from the waist and skim down over the hips. Decoration at the bust can also keep the eye away from the waist too.

Pear shaped

Wide necklines that balance out your top with your lower half helps, along with dresses that are fitted at the waist and then flare out into a full lower half. This style shows off a slim waist, leaving anything below to the imagination.

Apple shaped

If you are fairly tall, an Empire-line gown can detract from the stomach and waist areas and lengthen your body too. Some carefully designed A-line dresses that have a bit of boning under the bust can also be very flattering. A lower neckline with really striking, eye-catching jewellery is also a good idea.

Tall and thin

Softer lines, rather than tight bodices are more flattering for your shape, and wide and scooped necklines help to widen you out at the top. Sleeves that are cropped and sit wide on the shoulder can also do the same.

Petite

A dress with Princess seams or an A-line shape is the best bet – never wear a dress that has a waist feature, as that will make you look shorter.

Prom dress details to emphasise your best feature

Most of us have one feature that we are proud of, perhaps it’s shapely legs, a trim waist or smooth skin across the back. Decide which one is your best feature, and then choose a design that draws attention to it.

Long legs

For example, a long sheath dress with a slit cut at the side can tastefully reveal wonderful legs, or if you want to be less subtle, you could go for an asymmetrical hemline.

Shapely back

A backless dress can show off that skin, but be sure to find a cleverly designed bra to keep everything in place around the front.

A bust to die for?If you have a good bust, you can have a bit of cleavage, but go for gowns with wider shoulder straps – thin straps don’t work for those with a larger bust, and you’re likely to need a good bra with thicker straps to hide anyway.

Tiny waist?

Get a big belt or dress with a spectacular sash waist to show it off!

Distracting away from a feature with a savvy prom dress choice

Even the most beautiful women in the world have something they don’t like about their figure, and for you to feel fabulous on prom night, you need to be confident that attention will be where you want it. Here are a few common worries, and what prom dress designs can do to help.

Chunky upper arms

You could wear a bolero style jacket, or add a spectacular wrap to the outfit which will also frame your bust and neck, drawing attention away from your arms.

Chunky legs

Avoid styles that are long and straight that have a slit cut into them for walking. Depending on your overall shape, consider a full gown that will emphasis and sweep out from the waist, disguising your leg shape.

Large bust

Not everyone wants to show them off! Choose a princess line gown with a fuller skirt to make the lines flow over and balance the bust, and choose a dress that has beading or other decoration around the hem to distract the eye from the top. Avoid thin straps and halter necks.

Small bust

If your bust is too small for you to carry off some designs, consider an Empire style gown with pleated or ruched fabric across the bust to make it look like there is more there.

Figure it out, then the choice of prom dress style is easy

Once you have identified these three characteristics of your figure, start with the base shape that suits, then choose style details that maximise what your proud of, and hide what zaps your confidence. It may take time, but it will be worth it!

Do you have any questions or worries about your prom dress? Drop us a line or ask in the comments below, we’re here to help!