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tips and advice - prom queens

Prom Prep
No prom queen should tackle this event without a plan.
Don’t Wait for the Date
To ask or not to ask? That is the prom date question.
Your Carriage Awaits
Yeah, right. How to arrive safely and in style.
Prom Post Party
“Party smart” doesn’t mean “party pooper.”
Limo Etiquette
It's time to look like a pro.

Prom Prep

If you haven’t already, it’s definitely time to start planning for Prom. For some of you, panic sets in every time you think about the big night. Not to worry. We have plenty of information to help lead you through the pre-Prom fog. Let's start with three key factors.

The Money. Prom can be expensive. To have an awesome, stress-free Prom, you need to figure out your budget now. Whether you plan to throw down a little or a lot, knowing how much you have to spend and where you are going to spend it is a must. Make a list of everything you want to buy for Prom, from head to toe.

The Dress. It's all about the dress. Next on your list is to start looking for the right one now. You'll want the best price, the best look and plenty of time for any alterations. Face it, dresses are made to fit a certain body type and we're not all supermodels. Give yourself plenty of time to find a dress that fits you perfectly.

The Date. Got your eye on a guy? Don't wait on him to ask you to Prom. If you've got the guts, take the initiative and pop the Prom question. No one you're really interested in? Go stag. Going to Prom with a bunch of your girlfriends can be just as fun.

Don't Wait for the Date

Who says you have to have a hot date for Prom? We don't. One thing you do have is options.

Girl Groups. Be part of the trend. Prom-goers everywhere are bucking the guy-asks-girl tradition and are going with a group of girlfriends. Chances are, your dance card will be full all night long. And it has its perks: no one feels left out and everyone can split the bill for the limo, dinner, after-party and more. If this suits your fancy, then you be the coordinator. Invite everyone over for pizza to plan the details.

Do the Asking. Don’t waste time waiting for the guy in your English class to get a clue and ask you to Prom. Take the chance and ask him. If he is dense enough to say no, then it's his loss.

Your Carriage Awaits

Arriving at Prom in style is something everyone wants to do. Whether it's the family station wagon or the newest Hummer limo, be proud of your ride. And, don’t leave this task entirely up to your date. Help him. If there's a particular mode of transportation that you would prefer, talk to him about it. He may be hot, but he's not a psychic. But arriving in style also means arriving safely. After all, if you never get there, no one is going to care about how you were going to get there. No matter what type of transportation the two of you pick, there are a few important things to remember.

Breath Check. No, we're not talking about whether he needs a breath mint. We're talking about making sure your date hasn't been drinking. Take the pledge to stay alcohol- and drug-free on Prom night together. If your best laid plans take a turn for the worse, you must take action. You can be subtle and still make sure that your ride is safe. Never feel uncomfortable refusing to ride with someone who has been drinking.

Damage Control. If you suspect that your date has been drinking, offer to change things up a bit and you drive to your next destination. If he insists on taking the wheel, pull him aside and explain that you can't ride with him for your safety – and his. Not to mention the safety of others on the road. Suggest piling in with other friends. If he still refuses, then tell him that you will be arriving fashionably late with a different driver and possibly a different date. Take care of number one – yourself. Then tell an adult if your date does hit the road with alcohol in his system. It could save his life.

Post Party. So everything is going well, it's time to leave the after-prom party, but your date is nowhere to be found and you have to get home. Don't worry. Have a friend or a family member be your back-up ride and be ready to drop everything in a moment's notice to pick you up, if needed. That way you get home safe and sound. And you get a jump start on reliving every detail of your Prom night, except the part when your date pulls a Houdini.

Ladies, you are smart. You didn't get to this point on your good looks alone. Prom is a blast and the last place not to use your good judgment.

Post Prom Party

Now that you've made the decision to actually remember your prom night by remaining alcohol- and drug-free, it’s our turn to give you some party pointers to keep your night going strong. After all, you aren’t going to be another alcohol-related statistic. Here are some ideas to ensure that your party will be on the top of the post-prom party list for all of the right reasons.

Fun and Games. Plan group activities. It sounds crazy, but we all secretly love them. Put a new spin on Twister!

Eclectic Invites. Variety makes life spicy. Invite a bunch of different people to your party. This way, everyone will have someone to hang with. And who knows, maybe people will go home having met a new best friend or love interest. Just because it’s prom night, doesn’t mean it’s too late to make new friends.

Party Pics. As the hostess, you can’t be everywhere at the same time, but cameras can. Place cheap, single-use cameras all around the party so your buds can take pictures. Remember to get double prints or a picture disk so you can pass them to all of your friends.

Thirst Quenchers. Make sure you have lots of non-alcoholic drinks on hand. And have fun with it; do a tropical theme and serve Nada Coladas. Don’t forget the little umbrellas. They make everything taste so much better.

Music, Music, Music. Good tunes set the stage. If the music keeps people dancing, guests are guaranteed to have a great time and are less likely to jet to another party. No people – no party.

Neighborly Love. Don’t forget to tell your neighbors that you are having a late night party. Hey, even invite them. You are never too old or too young to get your groove on.

Sober Eye for the Drunk Guy. Above all, keep an eye on your partygoers. Make sure they aren’t sneaking off to drink or take drugs. You want to be sure your friends get home in one piece.

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