Prom is an event many teens look forward to as part of their high school career. It’s an opportunity to get dressed up and party with friends.
Most high schools host their proms in the spring, and it’s important for students to prepare for the event ahead of time, especially if they’ll be hiring any services such as a make-up artist, hair stylist, or limousine.
What Is Prom?
Prom is a formal event for high school students that typically includes dinner and dancing. This particular dance is open to upperclassmen (juniors and seniors) only. Some schools host junior and senior proms separately, whereas others combine them into one event.
Prom may take place on the school’s campus or at another location. Some unique prom locations include riverboats, botanical gardens, zoos, aquariums, and museums.
Though some schools have eradicated the practice, it is common for there to be a prom court. After nominations are finalized, students can vote for whoever they think should be prom queen and king. Some schools also have a prince and princess title for juniors, as only seniors are usually eligible for the king and queen titles.
Though prom is an event hosted by the school, students who want to attend must purchase a ticket. This ticket can cost anywhere from $20 to $200. Even though students often host fundraising events for prom, the event can be rather costly to host as the school must hire caterers, rent a venue, and find a DJ.
When Is Prom Season?
Prom season occurs during the end of the school year in the spring. The exact date of the dance is variable, but most schools host prom in late April or sometime in May.
According to the pros at Sherri Hill, if you’re planning to attend prom, you’ll want to go shopping for your formal attire before the end of April. Some students like to go big with prom and rent limos to take them to and from their destination. If this is your plan, you’ll want to be sure to call in advance, as many limo companies will be receiving such requests during prom season.
If you’re planning to get a haircut or have a stylist do your hair and makeup, this is also an appointment that you should book ahead of time. Prom season can be busy for these types of businesses, so it’s good to call up to a month or more in advance to ensure your preferred stylist can fit you in.
What Happens At Prom?
Prom consists mainly of dinner and a dance. It is common for dinner to be buffet-style, especially if the junior and senior classes are large. Smaller classes, however, may have something akin to a sit-down dinner, though you may be limited to picking from three or so different dinner options.
Before prom, you might get together with your friends or your date. It’s not uncommon for friends to spend time getting ready together; girls often like to hang out and help one another with their hair and makeup.
Even if you get ready alone or visit a salon, many students get together with their friends and take pictures either at someone’s house or at a local park. You may take even more pictures outdoors once you get to the prom venue.
Once you’re at prom, you’ll be able to enjoy dinner, dancing, and any other activities the venue has to offer. It’s common for prom committees to decorate the venue so that there are photo opportunities; there may also be actual photo booths.
If the prom is held at a unique venue, you may be able to explore what the venue has to offer. For example, if prom is held at an aquarium, you may be able to tour some of the exhibits. Some schools may go the extra mile and hire caricature artists or other entertainers for students to enjoy at prom.
After prom, many students do go home and go to bed, but some may stay together to hang out longer. This might involve catching a late-night movie, going bowling, or just hanging out at a restaurant that’s open late. After-prom sleepovers are also common.
When Is Prom Season? Preparing for the Big Night
Prom season is an exciting time of the year for many students. Not only are they hyped for the actual event, but some of the preparations, such as picking out formal attire, can be a lot of fun, too.
Most proms are held in late April or sometime during the month of May. It’s important to prepare ahead of time, especially if you plan to hire a makeup artist or rent a limo. This way, you can ensure you’re able to book an appointment and get ready for your big night without stress.
