Getting ready for prom isn’t like getting ready for any old party, it’s The Prom! Whether you’re most excited to get glammed up in a prom dress, or are just excited to dance the night away with your friends, prom is a great excuse to put in the extra effort and really do it up. It’s a lot to organize, from the outfit to the afterparty plans, so start with a prom checklist!
From the moment prom is announced, it’s time to start planning and ticking things off your prep list. Scroll on for everything you’ll need to consider.
Prom Checklist
1. Assemble an awesome crew and set the vibe.
First, and most importantly, you need to find an awesome group of people to go to prom with! Some people might choose to go with their partners, while others will be going with their friends to enjoy the special night. No matter who you choose, make sure they’re someone who you love hanging out with and want to make a special memory with to cap off the school year.
Whether you go in a group or with just one or two other people, be sure to chat beforehand about what you plan to wear. If you want to match, choose a specific vibe, color, fashion era, etc. to keep in mind while you shop.
2. Shop for the perfect prom dress
Prom 2022 fashion is all about long, slinky silhouettes, spaghetti straps, and feminine details like ruffles, embroidery, and tule. Prom dresses in solid colors and delicate fabrics like lace and satin are trending, and ethereal flowy skirts are the perfect romantic touch for an evening of magical fun. If you’re not a dress wearer, there are plenty of prom jumpsuits and rompers featuring beautiful fabrics, colors, and silhouettes suitable for an evening as special as prom.
Don’t forget to finish off the prom fit with a pair of shoes, and accessories like a simple crossbody purse and jewelry. If you want to carry a cute clutch instead of wearing a bag, just be sure not to put it down and get swept away onto the dance floor!
3. Prepare a prom emergency kit
Not much can go wrong at prom, but just to be on the safe side, create a mini prom emergency kit! Put all of these items in a small ziplock bag, or in a small pocket of your bag or purse for easy access in case you need a refresh or fast fashion fix.
Must-have items:
- Extra bobby pins
- 2-3 Safety pins
- Mini deodorant
- Tide To Go pen (or your favorite stain remover)
- Lip gloss, lipstick, or lip balm
- Oil-absorbing sheets
4. Choose a place to get ready
Now it’s time to decide whether you and your crew are going to get ready together, or separately. If you choose to get ready together, choose somewhere with plenty of space to spread out, and of course, lots of mirror access so everyone can get enough time to adjust their look. Ideally, you’ll get ready somewhere close to your final destination and/or the restaurant you plan to go to ahead of time.
5. Make pre-prom restaurant reservations
It’s important to eat something before you go to prom since you need plenty of energy to dance, socialize, and party your butt at the biggest school event of the year! Choose somewhere with food that everyone likes but isn’t too heavy. Something like sushi, tacos, or even a burger joint would make great options.
Just be sure to consult with your friends/prom date to make sure everyone will have an option and remember to call ahead to ask about reservations.
6. Choose a pre-prom photographer
Before you can head off to prom, your parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and possibly neighbors will want to take photos of you! To make sure your photo-taking session isn’t too chaotic, and everyone gets a good photo, try making one person the designated photographer.
Everyone else can snap pics as they please, but the designated photographer will be the person everyone looks at in group photos. This way, you’re guaranteed to get at least one set of photos with everyone looking in the same direction at the same time.
7. Make after-prom plans
You probably won’t be quite ready for the festivities to end by the time prom is over, which is why you should plan ahead for something to do afterward. Getting ice cream, eating late-night pizza, seeing a midnight movie, or having a sleepover at one person’s home are all fun ways to extend the party!
Did this prom checklist help you? Show us your perfect prom outfit on Instagram or TikTok @lulus using #lovelulus! Still shopping for your dream dress? Head to our Prom 2023 Shop!
This post was originally published in March 2022.
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