Perfect Prom Resource

PROM COMMITTEE: 10 Tips 4 Hiring Prom Pros

To pull off a successful prom that will be talked about for years to come, you'll need to have a Professional team.  That means bringing together key prom pros >  photographer, DJ, & caterer - to create the perfect Prom night. Handling all these folks can get kind of crazy, so read up on our smart tips for working with Prom vendors (We have lots of articles on this Blog so Bookmark us!)

1. Don't Procrastinate
Spring isn't just prom season - it's also a big time of year for weddings, graduation parties, Project Graduations & other special events. There are only 4 weekends in a month, and only so many QUALITY vendors to go around. To get your top choices, you'll need to start early. If your prom is held on a weekday night, you'll probably have an easier time, but you shouldn't let that hold you up, because the trend has been changing the last 3 years to weeknight proms!

2. Delegate the Prom Planning
Instead of dragging your entire prom committee to every florist, photographer, or DJ in town, create prom - subcommittees to do each task. Once you've decided on a Prom budget, the subcommittees should decide what vendors to pursue. All sub-committees should create checklists & questions to bring to each appointment to make sure they're getting the same info from everybody. Once all the information is collected, the subcommittees should pick their top 3 choices and call for a full committee vote.

3. Network with friends
Do you have friends at different schools who attended an awesome prom? Could they not stop talking about how amazing their photos turned out, or how awesome their Club DJ was? Use friends as contacts to get in touch with the students or faculty who planned their school proms. They'll be more than happy to provide you with vendor recos. But beware of friend of a friend (or teacher) referrals they are not unbiased! 

4. Go with a Pro
Professional associations are a great way to track down names and numbers for vendors in your area. As an added bonus, you know that the folks you're contacting have some sort of professional affiliation or accreditation. (NOTE: Associations just mean they take their business more seriously - most associations DO NOT hold members to standards - SO ask your questions!) Some national organizations that may be useful are Wedding and Portrait Photographers International, The National Association of Mobile Entertainers NAME (representing DJs across the country), American Disc Jockey Association, ADJA, and the American Institute of Floral Designers.

5. Shop Around
Whether you are hitting the phones or you're just getting started, cast a wide net. It can't hurt to give every vendor you'd like to consider a quick phone call. One who might be too pricey on paper might actually be a better Value. Remember you do get what you pay for! If you're searching locally, don't discount the fact that some of the folks you visit might be alumni of your school -- and just might be willing to cut a deal for their school.

6. Do Your Research!
When you've narrowed your lists to your top choices for each service, obtain and check references if necessary! Though it may seem like a tedious chore, most prom pros agree that this is the most crucial step. If the vendor can give you the names of other schools who have used the company, that's ideal. Otherwise, ask about other events that hit a similar demographic -- sweet 16 parties, graduation parties, and so on. Then get on the phone to find out who really delivered the goods! (NOTE: This method is usually skewed because vendors will NOT give you anything but good clients to call so research by Google, BBB, Twitter & Facebook as well to see if any complaints arise!)

7. Ask for Help
You will have some questions about hiring vendors, so don't be shy about asking a parent, teacher, Blog, Twitter or school administrator for help. Don't discount the usefulness of their experience & advice. Remember your choices affect 100's maybe 1000's of your peers attending the Prom so make sure you make choices that they will be happy to pay their hard earned money for!  (NOTE: Do NOT let a controlling Prom Adviser make all the decisions for you or force you to use their Boyfriend or husband for the DJ etc!)

8. Read the Details
Before hiring any vendor or signing a contract, be sure you've gotten all of the details that could affect your budget's bottom line. Cancellation policies, costs for additional time or services, & any extra fees need to be figured out in advance. If you are uncertain about any of the policies, just ask!

9. Always Get it in Writing!
If you're paying someone for a prom-related service, you'll need an Adult to sign a contract. Before you put your name on anything, have more than one committee member (and possibly a teacher or another adult) read it over thoroughly. Make sure the contract spells out all of the basics, and includes all of the pertinent info like: who, what, when, where, & how. Anything you have agreed on verbally needs to be there as well. Don't consider anything too obvious to be included. Double-check that the date, time, and location of your prom are correct. If anything looks weird or incorrect, don't sign the contract until it has been fixed!

10. Go with Your Instincts.
If a vendor gives you bad vibes, pay attention. An Older wedding DJ who doesn't seem to have any rapport with  your committee will fail to motivate prom goers on the dance floor, and a weird photographer who makes you feel uncomfortable is probably going to make other teens feel the same way. After all, you're all going to need to work together to make sure your prom is a success!

(NOTE: Meeting Vendors in 2010 is not always necessary, especially if that is not the actual person that will be at your Prom!  Most Vendors use Fax, Email, Websites, Video Conferencing, Skype, Twitter, Facebook, & Myspace to communicate. Why? This lowers your overall expense.  If the vendor needs to come out and sit with you that costs them gas, travel, tolls, time and all that is usually figured into your bill!  Also on another note if the vendor owns or rents a location like an office this will automatically raises your price because that vendor has a higher overhead than one that does not have the office.  So in 2010 that warm fuzzy feeling will cost you more and not guarantee you more.)

Cher!

For Prom Professionals that handle Decor, Photography, & Disc Jockeys Click this Link

Article Adapted from: KatWood

Show Your Parents a Limo is the Responsible Ride to Prom!

Some of us thought (myself included) when we were teenagers that it was a fun idea to really have a celebration and have a few drinks before, during or after our Prom.  It looks so glamorous on the commercials, in TV shows and movies.  Of course as I got older I realized that teen drinking often leads to long-term problems like alcoholism.

The other factor I didn’t consider is that it The Limo or Party Bus chauffeur is the "responsible adult" in the eyes of the law.  And the chauffeur is responsible enforcing the law for the minors on board.  Our chauffeurs have a special Commercial Driver's Licenses that can be revoked for allowing minors to drink.  So their entire livelihood is dependent upon sniffing out any minors trying to sneak vodka in a hairspray bottles, or water bottles, or flasks (yes - we've seen it all).

Limo companies just cannot allow alcohol on-board when everybody in the group is under 21.   Period.  If a company does allow underage drinking, they will soon be out of business.  It is not worth risking the chauffeur's entire livelihood to allow a teen to get drunk - or even sneak a few drinks.  And trust me - it is not that difficult to smell alcohol on people.  There is a rumor - which is false - that vodka does not smell when you drink it.  They are right - vodka doesn't smell – as long as it stays INSIDE the bottle with the lid screwed on.  Once you drink some vodka you can easily smell it on your breath.

Young people's bodies do not know how to process alcohol the same as more experienced drinkers.  That is why you hear so often of kids in college dying from binge drinking at sorority or fraternity parties - their bodies just can't process the alcohol as fast as it is being consumed and they lapse into a coma and die.  Most experienced drinkers pass out before they get to the state of coma or death - so they stop consuming alcohol.

So the minute our chauffeurs suspect alcohol has been consumed - the ride has to be over - parents or police are called and we leave everybody where we are at once we discover the alcohol.  Dinner location, Prom location, etc.  We cannot be responsible for a teen going into an alcohol induced coma or seizure while we transport everybody back home. 

 We don't want to ruin anybody's night.  Our business is to help make people's special events memorable and fun!  So please young riders in our Prom limo AZ this season - follow these rules!

Teen passengers, & parents commit to the following:

• No alcohol or other intoxicants or cigarettes are allowed in the vehicles.
• All packages may be inspected by the chauffeur and may go into the trunk of the vehicle.
• The privacy partition remains open at all times to allow supervision by the chauffeur.
• The chauffeur will notify the parent listed if alcohol or drugs are detected.  If the parent(s) are not available, the authorities will be notified.
• The chauffeur will immediately terminate the ride - passengers need to be collected by parents, and all monies will be forfeited.
• Only passengers listed on the Teen I Promise contract are allowed transportation in the vehicle.
• Any unusual spills, soiling or damage to the car caused by the passengers will be charged to the person(s) booking the vehicle.

Written by Guest Author From: In The Scene Limousine

Cher!

New Kind of Prom 2011 Style!

With the economy in shambles EVERYONE is looking to save money & get a better value for their spent  cash!  That does not mean cheap out -- it merely makes individuals think outside the box!  Great things can change when you start to think outside the box and move forward!  Proms & School Dances are stuck with an "old school" (no pun intended) mentality but most are charging in excess of what a 5 star restaurant would! Which is good if they actually put the quality and money back into the event!  Very few do.

Our suggestion is hire a company that specializes in Privatizing your Prom & Other School Dances! 

High school proms have become more like another class rather than like a party. Every year, government school administrators think up new rules to restrict the behavior of students who attend school proms. Strike back against the government's party rules, by organizing and attending a PRIVATE prom that will keep your teachers, your principal, and their ridiculous rules out of your social life. 

A private prom would be organized by a Company that only throws teen events, without your school's assistance. Therefore, your school administrators would not be able to enforce the school's disciplinary code. The prom would simply be a more elegant & elaborate weekend party.

At current school proms, teachers are more concerned about security than about the music. Proms regularly have three levels of security which include off-duty police officers, hotel security, and teachers. All of them regularly inspect the bathrooms, check the parking lot for people that are hanging out, and implicitly discourage all wild behavior & close dancing. Step out of line and you'll be asked to leave the prom and possibly suspended.

"Of course, the use of alcohol is always prohibited at any school event. Individuals involved in these behaviors may be prohibited from taking part in the ceremonies on graduation day, as well as facing suspension," said a letter sent to parents of seniors at Birmingham High School. Montclair High school recently had an entire Limo arrested and processed for arriving drunk at 2009 Prom. These events would also be alcohol free because lets face it everyone is under age, but parents would be notified for violations!

Here are some rules enforced at CURRENT Public & Private School proms:

1. At any school dance, each student may invite one outside guest as long as he or she is responsible for his conduct and almost all schools make you sign a "guest" pass which is like an elementary school permission slip.
2. The mode of dress set up by the group sponsoring the dance shall be strictly enforced.
3. Students exhibiting conduct unbecoming a student of High School will be asked to leave.
4. Students will not be permitted to leave the building during the course of the dance. Students may leave at 10:00 p.m. but will not be allowed to return.
5. Only students in junior and senior homerooms are eligible to attend the prom. Outside guests must be registered with the Prom Committee (and a guest pass, lol).

These rules are more appropriate for a prison than for a party. Do you know of any other party that forbids people from leaving? Why must people register their outside guests?

You won't have to worry about suspensions at a private prom. Private facilities want your business and they want to make sure that they also host the next year's private prom. It will actually be difficult to get kicked out of a private prom, because the owners would not risk future business by ejecting a wild, though peaceful, student. And even if you do find a way to get kicked out of a private prom, you won't have to face additional punishment at school on Monday.

Other things that get put ahead of students good time: Decor, Balloons, Invitations, Food - all on the List before Disc Jockey!  Now to us a Prom is a elegant school dance!  So the first and most important decision should be your DJ entertainment for the evening!  With a Private Company like AClubProm.com running your prom we understand this and the entire theme, and event revolve around great Club DJ's!

Private proms would be an all-day and night event. Many students who attend current proms are forbidden from renting hotel rooms at the hotel that is hosting the prom. But if you attend a private prom, you and your friends could rent a hotel room where you could hang out before, or after the prom.

Private proms would also take one less punishment out the your principal's arsenal. Routinely,  schools control the behavior of students by threatening to bar them from the prom. We wrote about a student in Kansas who ran naked through his school auditorium and now will not be able to attend the prom. His fellow students protested the punishment by staging a parade. However, the ultimate protest would be to organize a private prom.

Gradually, you & your fellow students should privatize all extracurricular activities. Then your  administrators would never be able to ruin another school dance, kick you off the baseball team or bar you from the prom because private companies who don't take orders from the schools would run these activities.This will also prevent 2 other issues embezzlement by prom advisers (see other articles) and saving to help fund school slush funds for cappuccino machines & couches in the teachers lounge.  Get your moneys worth today, YOU DO PAY FOR IT!!

Start fighting back now by making your school's prom the first privatized activity. If you do not have experience organizing parties, then call AClubProm.com. Stay away from Wedding DJ's, party planners, rave promoters, and hotel staff - why you ask?  They have no idea how to plan a prom!  They would take the job on and possibly get you the same or worse results!  AClubProm.com could organize the entire prom with or with out your students!

And don't let your teachers or administrators stop you. You have the freedom to embrace the free-market by organizing your own prom. There is NO laws stopping you from calling AClubProm.com right now and making this the year that makes a difference!

  Some Schools have already done this! Check it out:

A School you may have heard of in Georgia is having segregated Proms (STILL!) how you ask, Parents pay for the one Prom and organize it outside of school, and Just invite the students they want to attend!

Also what about the tons of Homeschool Proms across the country, No school to run them - all Privatized!

Prairie High School Jr. Sarah says: she does not plan to comply with any of the new rules."I as well as many other students will just not go to any of the school dances, we'll have our own dances," she told ABCNews.

Lastly AClubProm.com these guys got sick of dealing with administration ruining school dances & Proms and started to pay out of their pockets to host clean fun events for students!  They can also still come and Run your current Prom within the school but at a much higher success rate!

Now the Ball is in your court will you do it the way its been done forever just because? or will you drag your Prom out of the 1960's and make a difference?

Make the Call now! http://www.AwesomeClubProm.com >>> 877.PROM.123

 

Cher!

Smart Prom Budgets!

Budgeting for the prom -- it's a dirty job, but somebody's got to do it. You'll want to keep track of every last penny to assure that your costs are being covered and that you're maximizing your funds. Though the average cost for different services varies greatly from state to state, our tips and sample budget allocations will help you get started.

Site: 24%
This cost can range from free (if you're holding the prom in your gym) to well over $2000 (if your venue is a swank hotel ballroom). Other variables that can affect your cost are the timing of your prom (Wednesday - Friday nights are the most in demand, which may up the price), the popularity of the site, and what's included (any added amenities, such as the use of additional rooms).

Food: 22%
The cost of your food depends on the number of prom goers and the nature of your menu. If you are having a sit-down dinner, this expense should be covered by ticket sales, since how many meals you'll need directly correlates to how many tickets are sold. At an absolute minimum, expect to pay $20 to $25 per person for a basic meal (such as chicken). If you are having a buffet dinner or only hors d'oeuvres, your cost per person may be somewhat lower. To stay within your budget, be sure you don't go overboard with menu choices -- anything that's out of season (like fresh fruit) or from out of your area (like some seafood) is going to cost extra. When you're figuring out your food bill, don't forget to budget in any additional costs for waitstaff and rentals (table linens, flatware, and so on) -- plus tips!

DJ: 16%
Music is crucial to prom, so you're probably going to want to hire a professional to handle it. The bare minimum is likely going to be about $900. Your cost will vary depending on the popularity and demand for a certain DJ, how long you'll need him or her, sophistication of the equipment, and any extras they brings (lights, glow sticks, Plasmas, a fog machine etc). Don't forget to budget a 20% tip! Most Prom Disc Jockeys cost between $1200 - $1500 across the US. Try Awesome Club Prom to help Host your Event!

Decorations: 12%
Whether you're going DIY or purchasing ready-made pieces, you'll need a budget for your decor. Before you buy, figure out what you can borrow. For example, if you want thousands of twinkling lights, look no further than the attics and basements of friends and family -- there's bound to be a lot of holiday lights there. If you plan on having floral centerpieces, put aside money for these as well. The type, size, and complexity of floral arrangements times the number of tables or spaces will enable the florist to estimate the cost. If you're using flowers, be sure to choose blooms that are in season -- otherwise, you'll exceed your budget in no time.

Tickets & Programs: 9%
Selling prom tickets will make money, but if you have tickets professionally printed they're going to cost money. Don't forget to budget in the cost of printing your tickets, programs, invites, and anything else you hand over to a pro. How to save? Print materials yourselves on high-quality paper purchased from an office-supply store. If you decide to go with a professional printer, choose matte stock and a single color of ink to save some dough.

Favors: 8%
The cost for favors depends on what you choose. Personalization (with your school name, your prom theme, the date of your prom) will cost extra, but the more favors you need, the less expensive each individual favor will be. Just be sure to order enough so every prom-goer can take something home!

Photographer: 6%
Though prom goers will have to pay for their own prints, they won't be footing the entire photographer bill. Your budget is going to have to cough up some cash to pay for the photographer's time, any assistants they will need, the number and types of equipment brought along, and any other extras (say the photographer creates a backdrop especially for your prom, for example). This is likely to cost around $400 to $500, but fees can vary considerably depending on the photographer.  Also New options have emerged, where your Disc Jockey may have Amateur or Professional Photographers on staff - just make sure they are selling you the correct services!

Security: 3%
If your site does not have its own security personnel, you may want to hire a couple of guards (better safe than sorry!). Cost will vary based on how many security people you'll need and for how long. Talk to a faculty or administration member to find out what your school policy is before making your move.

Income: Should Cover 100%
Enough about spending, it's time to make some money! In addition to whatever funds your school's  activity budget may have allocated for the prom, you'll also be working with income from fundraisers, donations, and ticket sales. Keep close track of all the cash that comes in. A good idea is to allocate income in advance so that you know exactly what it will cover -- for instance, selling X number of tickets will pay for the catering, this fundraiser will take care of security, 40 percent of your activity fund budget will go toward the site rental, and so on. This can also help with planning fundraisers -- you'll know exactly what your sales goals are and how that money will be spent.

Guest Author:  KatWood

Sweet Sixteen Parents "Notes"

Parents!

Stop and think.  Who are you doing this for?  Hopefully your interest in planning a Sweet 16 birthday party is to celebrate this major milestone in your son or daughter’s life.  Make them the center of attention - the Guest of Honor!

 If you lose sight of this as you plan for their party, you may find yourself screaming “you never appreciate the things I do for you!” Let your teen make choices right up front.  Begin by asking them:  “What kind of Sweet 16 party do you have in mind?”

A Few Questions to Think About while Planning!

“Shall we invite just our close relatives and a few friends, or do you want a huge party?”  (Start a list right away to give you an idea of how many people you plan to invite.)    

 “Would you like to have a joint party with a friend?” You can POOL your money to throw a more extravagant event, DO NOT do this to save Money !! (It is very common & really doesn't work you just have 2 disappointed girls now instead of one!)

 “Do you have any ideas for a theme?” Themes are popular but not necessary!

 “Where would you like to have the party? - At Home? A Venue? Restaurant? Night Club etc...”

 “What kind of food would you like to serve? Finger foods are a great affordable selection since teens are there to dance  & have fun not eat!”

“Would you like to have a Photographer & A Photo montage on a Plasma or Screen??” - -This is very popular these days! A Paparazzi style Photographer & a Thru the Years Montage!

Select items to display that put your teen in a good light.  They may be funny, but don’t put out photos they don’t like, because they are always feeling vulnerable and impressions are very important!

"Would you like a Hot Club Disc Jockey? or the Cheesy Wedding DJ?" The DJ at a teen event will either make or break your daughters event!  Choose wisely & make sure you both have the same vision for the DJ's or the entire party could be ruined!

As you progress with your party plans, be sure to keep your teen involved in the decision making process.  Let them help select or make the invitation and the invitation list.

Always remember ... this is their Sweet Sixteen birthday. Help them celebrate!

Cher!

The Hottest Club DJ's & Photographers Here!

Prom Official Definition!

In the United States a PROM, short for promenade, is used to describe a formal dance held at the end of an academic year. 

The British synonym for the North American event would be Valedictory Ball, Leavers' Ball, Leavers' Dinner or informally Leavers' Do, closer to the Australian description (see below.) In Canada the terms Grad or Formal are most common and the event is usually only held for those in their graduating year of high school or middle school.

While proms at smaller schools may be open to the entire student body, large high schools may hold two proms, a junior prom for those finishing their 11th grade year and a senior prom for those who are finishing their high school or middle school years. The name is derived from the late nineteenth century practice of a promenade ball. The end of year tradition stemmed from the graduation ball tradition.

Boys usually dress in black tie (a dinner jacket and bow tie), sometimes with brightly colored cummerbunds or vests, though any sort of formal wear can be worn. Traditionally, girls gave boys matching boutonnieres to be worn on the tuxedos. Girls traditionally wear formal gowns or dresses adorned with a corsage given to them by their date. Many boys also match the color of their tie to their date's dress. Often, boys and girls will dress according to the theme of the prom - e.g. pastel suits for a Miami Vice-themed prom.

Common prom activities include dining, dancing with a Disc Jockey , the crowning of a prom King and Queen, and socializing. In some cases, high school students accumulate funds for their class prom  through fundraisers over the four years they attend their high school. High schools in or near large cities may rent ballrooms at expensive hotels or, to be unusual, venues such as a pleasure cruise boat & Club Style Dj's. Many students group together to take limousines to their proms. Often costs are cut by using the school gym, which challenges the decorating committee to somehow mask the gym odor and drab surfaces. Music played during the dance portion of the event is normally the genre(s) most popular with the attendees.

Some high school students feel that the prom is the most romantic night of their lives. They may go in a group that includes a person they have known for years; other times, students just try to find a date that they like. Many find it to be just as fun to attend with friends, not worrying about the dating aspect of the prom. The occurrence of inappropriate conduct and occurrence of violence or alcohol/drug abuse is common though discouraged.
Some universities and colleges have proms as well, depending on the size of the graduating class in a faculty or department.

NOTE:  Please Remember that A Prom is by definition a Formal School Dance! Make sure you make entertainment an Priority when you make your budget, or your event will be another boring cheesy dance that cost a whole lot more.

Cher!

For the Hottest Club DJ's Around Check this site out!

Planning a Crazy Super Sweet 16 Party

Planning a Super Sweet 16?

Ideas for an over the top Sweet 16 party

 

Planning an MTV style bash?  Want an over the top, blow out Sweet 16?  It will be awesome, but can be a lot of work.  You should seriously consider hiring a professional event planner for your event or an entertainment company that provides planning assistance.  They will be able to manage all of the different vendors for your big day.  Here are some elements of the party you will need to consider during your planning.  Having a list of ideas will certainly help you & your planner plan the party of the decade!

 

Location! Location! Location!

 

Start by choosing a cool location for your party.  You can work around your theme, if you're having one.  Are you a movie buff?  Rent out the lobby of a local theater.  Love dancing?  Rent a dance club for the night.  Here are some ideas for fabulous party locations

• Hotel - many have fabulous ballrooms

• Night club

• Theater lobby

• Outdoors - if your home is big enough, use a tent. 

• Museum - most will give you access to all the exhibits

• Mansion - see if a local historical society will rent one

• Auto dealership - you're turning 16, right?

• The Mall - seriously, you can rent out space in the mall after they close

• Barn - great for a Western/Cowgirl theme

• Sports stadium

Sweet 16 Invitations

 

No ordinary boring invitation will do here!  The invitation will set the tone for your party, so they need to be great!  There are great options out there now for invitations that play music when you open them or that light up.  Make a DVD virtual invitation that guests have to watch to get the details.  Or send a box with your invitation and a treat - candy for a candy theme, etc. 

 

You can have your invitations hand delivered as well.  This can be like a mini event!  If you're having a princess theme party, then have a knight deliver the invitations by horse and carriage.  Having the party at a car dealership, then have someone deliver the invitations in a sports car. 

 

Sweet 16 Decor & Party Supplies

 

I'm a big fan of Up-lighting at a party.  You'd be amazed at all the options out there and how much lighting can increase the feel and ambiance of an Sweet 16.  Your Entertainment/DJ can help you wash the walls of a party room in as many colors as your like.  You can have your name projected onto the ceiling in a monogram or moving across the walls and dance floor.  Each table can have a light directed over it as a spotlight.  They even have tables that light up and change colors.  Go all out with lighting.  You won't regret it!

 

For a very modern party element, choose an area to set up a club VIP lounge.  Rent couches (to match your theme/colors) and set them up along with small tables, cool rugs and lamps.  This will turn into your event's VIP area.

 

  Life size cutouts of you in different poses around the room are great fun and make for great photo ops. Or enlarge photos of yourself at have them hung around the room. If you have a

Movie or Hollywood theme you can have cutouts of movie stars around the room as well!

 

  Use your centerpieces & theme as inspiration for other decor.  If you're having a tropical theme, have rented palm trees and Tiki huts around the room.  If you're using balloons, then fill the ceiling with floating balloons.  You get the idea - it's just as important to decorate the room as it is to decorate yourself!

 

Sweet Sixteen Table Decor

 

You will, of course want a beautifully set table at your party.  Choose linens that match the  colors of your party.  Floor length linens are a must for your tables.  Chair covers add elegance too & will wow your guests as they walk in the room.  Ask your event planner about spandex linens that stretch over tables and chairs.  Very New and Clubby!

 

No paper goods allowed at this party!  Choose linen napkins & use real dishes & silverware.  Add a fun napkin ring to your napkin like a bling necklace your friends can then wear.

 

The sky is the limit with centerpieces.  Use something that reflects the theme of the event and you!  Flowers can be gorgeous, but aren't the only way to go.   There is no reason you can't do balloons.  Just use a larger bouquet with an assortment of fun shaped balloons and Mylar balloons.

 

Sweet 16 Menu

 

You and your caterer can come up with a fabulous meal for your party.  You'll first want to decide if you're having a sit down meal or stations.  For a formal event, sit down is nice, but stations are always a great way to get people up and walking around.  Plus they will give you & your guests more time to dance!  Make sure either way you have plenty of servers (and stations, if you're having them) so people aren't waiting for their food.

 

Along with plenty of servers, make sure you have more than one bar available.  Set up a light up bar it's cool -and have a signature drink that your caterers invent just for you!  Non-alcoholic of course, but still served in cool glasses. 

 

Light up Martini glasses and other LED bar-ware is hot!  (I'd also put a light up coaster at each place under the water glass to help make the entire room glow.)  It's these small touches that will make your event extra special.

 

Dessert

 

Here's another great place to go all out.  Start with a fabulous theme cake.  This isn't the place for an ordinary sheet cake.  I'm talking about a wedding cake style theme cake that is all about you!  Look online for ideas and bring them with you when you go for a tasting. Here's a picture of a great example of a Princess theme cake.

 

Set up a dessert buffet around it that you're guests won't possibly miss! Cakes, cookies, Chocolate Fountain, the works. 

 

A candy buffet is also great fun.  Fill assorted size jars with a variety of candy.  You can choose candy that fits your color scheme or just go all out and buy all of your favorite sweets.  Set out plastic bags and scoops and let your guests fill their bags.  Or give out a personalized bubble jar for your guests to fill with sweets.  The jar serves as a great favor and a reminder of your big day.

 

DJ & Entertainment

 

The DJ will either make or break the event, so make sure you get a young one that is good! .  You'll want a great Club Style DJ for your event.  Hire a great DJ who can bring dancers, lighting and a big screen or better yet Plasmas to show videos.  Many can even show a live feed of everyone dancing at the party.  Your guests will love being on camera.  Most Disc Jockeys can supply you with an assortment of dance floor giveaways like glow jewelry, LED wearables, hats & glasses.  It doesn't matter how formal the party, as long as there is dancing, these "cooler" items will be appreciated and used! Stay away from the cheesy plastic hats and cheap leis that you see at weddings.

 

  Be sure to have your entertainer plan to bring their photographer on staff, so they can capture all the fun and display it on the Plasmas Live and online to keep the memory alive!

Now, if you can swing it, get a big name singer or artist to perform at your event.  Your parents may want to surprise you with this, so make sure to drop hints about who you love!

 
For a theme party, you may want to add extra themed entertainment.  If you're having a Fashion theme, then why not put on a fashion show.  Or, if you're using an Arabian nights theme, go all out and get a belly dancer to perform.  For a luau, hire people to serve drinks in grass skirts & dance.

Also lets not forget to do a "Thru the Years" custom photo montage of baby photos, family & friends - make use of those screens & plasmas!

 

Sweet 16 Favors

 

You're guests will already love your party, but be sure to thank them for coming with a special unique favor.  You can theme it to your party or choose something that's very popular right now.  Whatever you choose, have it wrapped & set at each place for your guests.  Or, have someone assigned to pass them out at the party. Here are a few ideas:

• 4x6 Color Photos of Guests as they arrived with a Custom Frame (Your Name & Date?)
  

• Gift cards for music downloads - for their Ipod.  

• Coach key-chains - they are turning 16 too!!

• Personalized Sackpacks.  Very cool

• Gift cards for the mall - for your mall theme party.  A gift card is always a great gift.

• Personalized rhinestone bags - give out one to each guest with their initials or their full name! 

Please Re-Tweet this and Leave us Comments or Ideas below!

Cher!

Super Sweet 16 Club Style Dj's & Uplighting here!

Article adapted from other sources

Planning your Type Of Prom Dinner

Prom Dinner Options:

There are basically 3 options for food at your Prom; a sit down dinner, buffet style, or pass arounds. The facility you choose will usually have set menus from which you may choose. They will make minor changes for you if you like, but for the most part you choose from their menus prepared specifically for high school proms. (Ask about special diet situations, such as, vegetarian.)

The smartest option is usually a buffet, because most students don't eat much & it gives your guests more time to dance.  If a hall does not execute a sit down meal properly it could take up to an hour for them to serve everybody!  We have seen it happen especially when halls are understaffed and have crowds over 300, where half the room is done eating and the other half is not even served yet!  This puts quite a damper on a prom because the half that finished wants to dance but the catering staff will not let the DJ open the dance floor until everyone has been fed!

Your student committee will usually have pretty strong opinions as to what they want, so let them choose,  as long as they stay within the budget. You will find that at most places the difference between the cost of a sit down dinner and finger foods is small, so you might as well go with the sit down dinner or buffet. 

Note: If you do pick a Buffet Have your DJ call 3 or 4 tables up at a time so that it stays under control.  If you have any meal have the DJ play the rock and other non-danceable requests during that time. Also if your photographer needs table photos dinner is a great time to announce them (the 1/2 that has not been served food yet!!)

Unlimited soda should be included in your price as well as dessert. Don't be afraid to negotiate. You are the representative for your school, and facilities expect you to ask lots of questions so that you get what you want.

Cher

Your Sweet 16 Checklist!

Sweet Sixteen is a once in a lifetime moment in your life.  What better way to celebrate it, then with a Sweet 16 club style bash!  Here are some great ideas and a helpful checklist to assist with planning YOUR party to remember!

Checklist for your Sweet 16 Event:

   1. Determine number of guests to invite.
   2. Choose a theme & Call Club Style DJ's (NOT WEDDING OLDER DJ's)
   3. Choose a party location (home, banquet hall, etc.)
   4. Choose a party menu and Catering company
   5. Purchase invitations and mail out at least 4 weeks prior
   6. Purchase decorations and party favors or have your entertainment Company do it!
   7. Choose party attire & Find a Dress
   8. Schedule appointment for salon for morning of party for hair/makeup
   9. Order birthday cake and catering if applicable.
  10. Ask friends and family to help with decorating and set up
  11. DJ Should Arrive at least 1 hour prior to event start.
  12. Salon for hair and makeup
  13. PARTY!

Other great tips and ideas:

    * try a theme: Lounge, Club, Hollywood, luau, bowling, fiesta, pool party, a psychedelic 60's bash, or even a Mardi Gras theme!
    * Serve non-alcoholic cocktails garnished with cherries, orange slices, and the like
    * Hand out feather boas and tiaras to girlfriends as party favors
    * Hire a Young BUT Professional Disc Jockey, that is insured & has radio edits of the music you want.
    * Hire a Semi-Pro Photographer for great candid shots for your scrapbook!
    * Hire a professional to teach party guests a particular dance, ie: Bollywood Indian, Salsa, Belly Dancing, Hula Dancing, etc..
    * Hire a Photo booth, Photo montage, fortune teller, Caricature artist, Zapp Photos, Plasmas, MTV Videos, or even a henna tattoo artist...
                                                                 

* Order a cake using an image from when the guest of honor was a small tot.
    * Serve finger food, such as, chocolate covered strawberries, seven layer taco dip, pot-stickers, mini pizzas.
    * Have a blender handy for making up non alcoholic drinks and smoothies, garnish with mini umbrellas and fruit.
    * Forget your camera! Let the Semi-Pro photographer do their job! What a fun scrapbook it will make with the Great Photos they take!   

*Uplighting is Huge at Sweet 16's now! They are colored lights that are placed around the room splashing light up the walls in various places!
    *Monograms of your name in Lights is another idea that can personalize your Sweet 16 party! Ask your DJ for other ideas as well!

Links to Possible DJs
Links to Photographers

Cher!

How to Plan a Successful Prom or Homecoming

The biggest social event of most teens' high school careers is the Prom. Indeed, the Prom has become so important over the years that it has become a mini-industry of its own. With almost $1.8 billion spent on prom-related purchases and regular reporting on the industry from Wall Street analysts, the Prom is indeed the paramount high school social event.

With respect to planning, a typical Prom breaks down into the following areas that require attention.

Venue
The venue is by far the first thing you want to take care of. All other things flow from the choice of venue. You cannot set the date, hire entertainment, hire security, or plan a budget until your venue is set.  A good rule of thumb is to start looking at your possible venue choices as early as possible, and no later than at the end of September before your spring Prom. Early planners will usually get the dates they want, while Prom committees that start the planning process later in the year usually have to juggle their schedule to accommodate the venue they want or stick to their date choice and settle for a venue of lesser caliber. Looking at venues even a year ahead of time is not inappropriate, especially in areas where there is competition for the best sites.

Entertainment – Very Important!
The subject of entertainment is greatly misunderstood when it comes to budgetary planning. The mistake some groups make is to blow their budget on the venue, décor, and food, and not have enough left for quality entertainment. This is the biggest mistake that a Prom committee can make, as the choice of entertainment will determine the quality of the evening.  If your DJ is great, people will say they had a great time. If the entertainment is bad, your teens will remember the event as a dud. I've seen plenty of Proms where the food was not up to scratch but the attendees still considered it a success because of the quality of the entertainment. I've never seen an event with good food and bad entertainment that was considered a great time. Clearly, the entertainment choice is your most important choice, with the venue close behind.

Décor
The décor choices you make have only one major limiting factor: finances. If your budget allows you to create a virtual movie studio, then by all means go for it. If your budget is more limited, then you must figure out what part of your budget you can spend on decorations and make sure you do not exceed this amount.

Food
Food is usually tied to the venue, in that almost all hotels and banquet halls have either an in-house catering department or a preferred list of caterers. As with décor, your limitations are primarily financial, with special consideration being given to nutritional concerns. Use your free school resources-your school district will usually have someone on staff who is knowledgeable about dietary issues and can advise you on subjects such as vegetarian meals or special dietary restrictions that some students may have. Your main decision about food will be whether to have a sit-down dinner, a buffet-style dinner, or just serve appetizers and desserts. Local custom usually dictates your choice in this area. In areas where most people favor restaurant dining before the Prom, it doesn't make sense to spend the money to serve dinner. Also Buffets allow more time for dancing!

After-Prom
In the last two decades, schools have begun to run after-Prom parties, where all Prom-goers are locked into the school building or other community building for the evening to enjoy a variety of activities such as dancing, casino-type games, movie rooms, fortune tellers, caricature artists, breakfast, and raffle-type events. (At the 2004 After-Prom at Kennett (PA) HS, they even raffled off a brand new car!)
Indeed, in schools that sponsor such events, they have almost eliminated Prom night drinking fatalities, but just remember that almost as much planning goes into this event as the Prom itself.

Security
Some sort of a security team is always a good idea at your Prom. My best recommendation is for your group to hire off-duty police officers and have them show up in uniform. A good show of force will eliminate a lot of the problems before they even start, and for those problems that still occur, the officers are there to solve them.

Finances
The major overriding concern of every planning decision you make will be whether you can afford to do it. After fund raising efforts by your class, the major source of revenue for Prom expenses is your  ticket sales. When making decisions about cost, you need to
decide whether or not the incremental increase in the price of the ticket is worth the expense.

For example, let's say you have 500 people coming to your Prom. You have a choice of an okay DJ company for $750 for the night or an amazing DJ company for $1,500. Your incremental ticket price for the okay company is $750/500 = $1.50 per ticket, and for the amazing DJ company it would be $1,500/500 = $3.00 per ticket. Base your decision on whether the increase from one cost per ticket to the next is the best decision for your group.

**Always Remember A Prom Is a Formal School Dance - so make all decisions based on that one fact! Flowers, Centerpieces and other possibly non essential items will not make or break your prom!

Guest Author: JacquesJordan