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

OR ARE YOU A PARENT HELPING TO PLAN A YEAR 6 END OF YEAR PARTY?

Love Productions, home of The Great British Bake-Off, is producing a pilot TV show about Year 6 proms.

We are looking for children and parents gearing up for the big day.

If you would like to find out more, we’d love to hear from you.

For a chat, please get in touch:

Charlotte Armstrong:  020 7067 4873

Charlotte.armstrong@loveproductions.co.uk

For more details 

http://www.facebook.com/l/3ce4aNQRohgbuMjgEa6WkqMI_MA/www.thestaffordshirepromfayre.co.uk

The spacious foyer and banqueting hall will be decked out in glittering Prom style and visitors will be greeted with a complimentary non alcoholic cocktail while our band ‘The Prom Stars’ play your favourite Prom tunes.  

Fantastic goody bags will be given to the first 50 guests to arrive and there will be a subsidised, themed Prom Bar, a disco and free prize draw to win a genuine vintage Gucci watch.

The highlight of the evening will be our Fashion Show where the latest Prom looks will be modelled by local Year 11 pupils who will have been professionally styled by leading Northampton salon ‘Outcast’.

 The event will be filmed by PromTV who will be interviewing visitors and looking out for future Prom Stars!

Entrance is free but if you’d like further information or to book a stand call Jacqueline on 01604 407771 or email info@prominabox.org.uk or go to www.eventsinabox.org.uk.

Prom fayres are run all over the country, following the same style as wedding fayres that you might have seen advertised in your local area. The idea is that businesses that supply things like prom dresses, prom outfits for the lads, prom catering, prom entertainment etc all come to show off their wares and services in one place so people can get ideas and place orders all in one go. As for why it's spelled 'fayres' well, that's a throwback to days of yore.

Prom fayres are often arranged by either newspapers or venues who have experience in running wedding fayres, but there's nothing to stop you hosting one of your own at your school. It's a great way to raise money for your prom fund and also gives everyone a chance to shop for their prom outfits etc in one place.

But how do we organise a prom fayre?

Keep it simple and informal and you won't go far wrong – you already have a big group of people (i.e. your year group) who will want to attend so as long as you promote well in school, you don't have the same kind of headaches as other organisers have.

1. Get permission to hold the fayre at your school
You will need to find out if it’s alright to hold the event after school or at the weekend. Your dining/assembly hall is going to be one of the best spaces – and you need to provide a large table for each exhibitor.

2. Arrange a good date and time
You need to pick one that doesn't cause problems for other events at your school and doesn't clash with any wedding or prom fayres in your area, otherwise you may not be able to get any exhibitors. You also want to pick a time that is convenient for your year group and most probably their parents too, as they are likely to be the ones actually placing the orders and spending money.

3. Contact local prom companies and ask if they want to take part in return for a small donation to your prom fund
A good place to start looking is in your local Prom Organiser e-book – you've got your free copy, right? Wedding and prom businesses are used to paying a fee for exhibiting at fayres, but you should charge a modest amount as there will be less people at your fayre than one which has hundreds of members of the public visiting.

Aim to get a good range of different suppliers – one of each type – i.e. a florist who is expert in prom corsages, a prom dress supplier, a prom transport company (who might want to bring a limo to show off so be prepared to answer questions about whether they'll be able to do this somewhere!) etc.

4. Arrange refreshments
You could ask parents and your year group to bake cakes to sell to add more money to the prom fundraising, and also ask your school what they do to provide refreshments at concerts etc. You don't need more than drinks and snacks.

5. Spread the word
Make sure you put up posters in school, have it announced at the school assembly and put notes in the registers for form tutors of your year group to read out to each form. If your school sends a letter out to parents, ask for the details to be put in it. Contact your local newspaper and invite them along to cover it as a story.

6. Tell us and we will provide goody bags!
When your prom fayre is arranged and everyone is booked, let us know through the contact page and we will send goody bags for you to hand out for free when people arrive. These are very popular as exhibitors will have leaflets and brochures to hand out as people go around the stands, and they like having a bag to put it all in!

6. Charge a small entry fee
You could ask for a £1 entry fee if you want to, with all proceeds going into the prom fund. If you want to do that, make sure you tell people in advance.

7. Make sure you help to clean up afterwards
If everyone on the prom committee mucks in it won't take long. The chairperson should take the time to thank the exhibitors and ask for feedback so you can leave advice for the year after yours!

Over to you

Are you planning a prom fayre? Got any questions? Ask in the comments below and we'll help.

I also love this time of year because all the prom shows are starting up.

So what is a prom show anyway?

Basically, a prom show (sometimes called a prom fayre) is an exhibition designed to help you meet local prom service suppliers and see what they have to offer. But that's only part of it; prom shows also get us all really excited about the rapidly approaching prom season.

What to expect at a prom show

Local prom suppliers companies (like local prom dress shops, prom transport companies, local make-up artists etc) usually have a stand to exhibit their services and examples of their work. For example, a local ball gown shop might attend, with racks of gorgeous prom dresses that you can actually try on. Make-up artists might give you a free make-over so you can see what they could do for you on the day of the prom. Prom transport companies might even take one or two cars to exhibit so you can see what you'd arrive in. You get the idea.

Sometimes there are extra events laid on, like fashion shows, competitions and so on.

Whether you're in the prom committee and responsible for booking a service, or simply trying to find something for your prom night, having the chance to speak to prom suppliers face to face at a relaxed event is a great opportunity. In the wedding world, the equivalent bridal fayres have been going for years, and there's a good reason: they're really useful and really fun too.

Northamptonshire prom people listen up!

If you live in Northamptonshire, we've heard about a prom show that's being held in Corby. It's the third year in a row for this event, and the organisers (Northamptonshire Newspapers Ltd) are lovely people, so we're sure you'll have a great time. The date of the Prom Show is Thursday 28th January 2010 at the Best Western Rockingham Hotel in Corby between 6-9pm.

It sounds like a great event; there will be numerous stands offering prom dresses and formal wear for the lads, prom photographers, plus hair and make-up experts, nibbles and non-alcoholic cocktails. The first 50 students (or school representatives) to register receiving a free goody bag – and I'm allowed to tell you that there will be a little something from us in there too!

But that's not all! There will be a fashion show, and everyone who registers on the night will also get the chance to win these great prizes in a free raffle prize draw: a prom dress up to the value of £300, courtesy of Bonnie Brides and Grooms, a £100 gift voucher courtesy of Ballgown Heaven, Uppingham, a gents prom suit up to the value of £225, courtesy of Panters Menswear and Formal Hire, Northampton, and a another £100 gift voucher courtesy of A Bride's World, Northampton.

N.B. The prize draw will be announced at 8.15pm and you must be present. If your name is called out and you are not present, you'll lose the prize and a new name will be drawn.

For the fame-seekers amongst you, a photographer and reporter will be there and coverage of the event and competition winners will be published shortly afterwards within the Evening Telegraph.

So if you live in or near Corby, put the date in your diary, you lucky things.

If you live somewhere else and have heard of any upcoming prom shows, or if you are an organiser of a UK prom show, please do get in touch to let everyone know. Simply put the details in the comments below, or get in touch through the contact form, we'd love to hear from you!