How To Plan When You’re On The Prom Committee

If you’re a member of your school’s prom committee, congratulations! It’s a big responsibility, but it is definitely worthwhile. While there’s ton of fun when you’re planning prom, there’s also room for anxiety since there’s so much to organize. Here are some things that you don’t want to forget when you plan prom.

Create a Budget

The first thing you need to do when planning prom is decide how much money you can spend. Ask the school if they have a budget for prom; some will offer a set amount each year, while others don’t have a prom budget at all. If you plan on spending more than the allocated funding for prom, you’ll need to set up a few fundraisers – like a bake sale – throughout the year to make up the difference. Ticket sales will also help pay for prom, but if they’re too expensive, some students may not be able to attend at all.

Choose a Date and Venue

Before you can truly begin to plan prom, you’ll need to pick a day to host it. Most proms take place on a Friday or Saturday night during May or June to ensure that the majority of students will be able to attend. After you’ve narrowed down a few potential dates, it’s time to find a venue. While many schools host prom in the gymnasium, you can also host it at another location. Research local banquet halls, golf clubs, or any other place you think would make a cool prom setting and ask if they’re available for one of your potential dates.  Make sure you get a written quote for your event and what the venue has to offer your committee.

Pick a Theme

Once your venue is secured, you can start brainstorming themes. There are timeless classics like “A Night in Paris” or a Masquerade Ball, but there are plenty of other options to consider. Check with your venue to see if they have decorations you could borrow to complete your theme. You could also make your own décor, or buy some new supplies to complete the look depending on your budget.

Organize Food or Refreshments

When you plan prom, you’ll need to decide whether or not to host a dinner. This depends on the budget, the time of the event, and other factors. You can choose between a fancy dinner with servers or a catered buffet. Alternatively, you could also choose to create a refreshment table with punch and light snacks to keep everyone energized.

Get your “Very Important Adults” in Order

While prom night is all about you and your classmates, you will still need to have chaperones to make sure everyone is being responsible. Chaperones can be parents, teachers, older siblings, or just about anybody else that is trustworthy and willing to take on the task. Besides chaperones, you’ll also need to look for a band or DJ to play music that will keep you dancing and a photographer to capture important moments.

Select Party Favours and Prizes

Party favours are a physical reminder of one of the most memorable nights of your life. When you plan prom, choose something reminiscent of your theme or school to give everyone, like a water bottle, keychain, or  “swag bag” full of smaller items. Crowning a prom king and queen is a common tradition, while some smaller schools like to create personalized rewards for everyone in the graduating class. Whatever you choose, make sure that the selection process is fun and fair.

Written by: Kristal McLean

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