When it comes to getting ready for prom, it’s easy to fall behind. You don’t want to be that person scrambling to catch up and making all of your appointments at the last second.
Use this calendar and checklist to make sure you are prom ready in time!
Note: Many of the items in the countdown are steps needed for both the guys and girls, but the ones highlighted with a G are girls only and the ones with a B are guys only.
Without further ado – let’s start our countdown to prom!
4 Months To Go
- Make a Budget and Start Saving. You want to make sure that you have enough money to spend and that you spend it on the right things! Talk to your parents to see if they’re willing to chip in on anything and how much they will contribute. If you need more money – figure out a way to get it – whether it’s working a few odd jobs, babysitting, or having a garage sale.
- Get a Date! Make sure that you ask, or get asked, pretty early so that you can start making your plans together. Don’t forget – he needs to coordinate with her dress and the flowers need to match.
- G Start Looking For the Dress. You need to start browsing magazines and the Internet, or visit your local prom and department stores. Some companies can take up to 8 weeks to deliver a dress and you might need alterations on top of that!
- Consider Joining the Prom Committee. If you want to help plan one of the best nights of your life and have a say in the theme, location, DJ, favors, and arrangements – you might want to sign up for the prom committee!
3 Months To Go
- GOrder Your Dress. If you haven’t already ordered your dress, now is the time to do it! You don’t want someone else to snag it before you do.
- G Accessorize! Now that you’ve picked out and ordered your dress, it’s time to find matching shoes, jewelry, handbag, and undergarments. There are a lot of great choices out there, but make sure that your shoes are comfortable (you have a lot of dancing to do!) and that your undergarments work with the dress. If you’re wearing a strapless dress, you’ll need a strapless bra. If it’s a formfitting dress you may need to buy a thong to avoid unwanted panty lines.
- G Locate a Seamstress. If your dress doesn’t come with free alterations, you’ll need to find someone to do them for you. Ask around and find one that is reputable. Check out his or her work to see if it’s good quality, and make sure they have time to do the alterations once your dress comes in!
- G Pick a Hairstyle. Now that you’ve chosen your dress, it’s time to find a compatible hairstyle. You can visit a local salon for a test run, or just browse magazines and the Internet to find something flattering. If you want to do an updo you’ll need medium to long hair, so start growing it out now!
- Take Care of Your Skin. The last thing you want is for your face to break out right before prom, so it’s time to start taking care of your skin now. Find a regimen that works for you to ensure a healthy glow and no unwanted blemishes.
- G Get Your Hair and Nails in Shape. Start giving yourself regular manicures and pedicures so that your nails are long, strong, and healthy. If you bite your nails, stop! You’ll also want to make sure your hair is in great shape and get regular trims (every 6-8 weeks) from now until prom to tame the frizz and split-ends.
- Get Healthy. Now’s the time to start a healthy fitness plan if you feel you need to lose any weight. The last thing you want to do is crash diet or develop an eating disorder right before prom so you can fit in your dress. Instead start eating fewer snacks and fattening foods, and perform some daily physical activity. Not only will you lose weight – you’ll feel more energetic and your skin and hair will be me much more healthy too!
2 Months To Go
- G Make Your Appointments. It’s time to schedule your appointments for the day of prom. You’ll want to do it early because everyone will be making appointments for the same day! You need to make one to get your hair done (the morning of prom) and you might even consider getting a professional manicure and/or pedicure that day or a few days before.
- G Reserve Your Tux. It’s time for you to get fitted and reserve your tuxedo rental. You’ll want to get a tie, vest, and/or cummerbund to match your date’s dress, so make sure you know the color or ask her for a swatch of material. You may even want to take her with you to help pick a great style.
- Brush Up on Your Etiquette. If you’ve never eaten at a fancy restaurant or gone to a formal party, you’ll want to get a book or search the Internet on manners and etiquette. That way you won’t be overwhelmed when you see multiple forks at your place setting!
- Make Your Prom Plans. Talk with your date and friends to figure out how you’re going to get to the prom, where you’re going to have dinner, how you’re going to get home, and what you’re going to do before and after the prom.
- Discuss Your Prom-Night Plans With Your Parents. Your parents get the final say on what you can and cannot do on prom night, so make sure both you and your date get a final approval!
- Make Your Reservations. Now that you’ve made your plans – someone has to make the reservations. Assign various people in your group to reserve the limo, dinner, etc – and get a verbal confirmation once it’s done.
- Buy Your Prom Tickets. The tickets usually go on sale a couple of months before the day of prom. Make sure you or your date picks them up!
- Stick With Your Healthy Plan. Make sure you’re still eating well and exercising regularly!
4 Weeks To Go
- G Pick Up Your Dress. Pick up your dress if you haven’t done so already.
- G Get Your Alterations Done. Make an appointment for your alterations if your dress isn’t fitting properly.
- G Break In Your Shoes. Wear your shoes around the house to break them in. That way you can have a great time at prom instead of complaining about your feet!
- Order Your Flowers. Girls you need to order your date’s boutonnière, and guys you need to order your date’s corsage. You may want to coordinate the same type of flowers and get them at the same florist.
- Confirm Your Appointments. Call your appointments to confirm that you are still on their record for prom day!
- Revisit Your Healthy Plan. Are you getting the results you want? If not, step it up a notch – but only if you’re still being healthy.
2 Weeks To Go
- G Get a Haircut. Now’s the time to get your looks in place. Get a haircut now so it doesn’t look so fresh on prom night.
- Finalize Details. Talk with your parents and friends to make sure everyone’s clear on the plans for the evening. You may even want to put together a seating chart for dinner so that you get to talk to the best people all night!
- Organize Your Supplies. Buy anything you’ll need for the evening that you don’t already have: calling card, clear nail polish, camera, film, etc. Also make sure you have your tickets, ID, cash, and credit card ready.
- G Consider Waxing. You may want to consider eyebrow, lip, underarm, or even bikini waxing to get rid of any unsightly hairs!
- Talk to Your Date. Tell him what your parents will expect, and how to talk to them. Make him or her feel comfortable with coming over. Also talk about any issues you feel might come up after prom.
- Talk to Your Friends. Discuss anything that you need to clarify with your friends… drinking, driving, partying, and any other topics that you won’t want to argue about and spoil prom night.
The Last Week
- G Try on Your Dress. Try on your dress one last time to make sure it fits in all the right places!
The Day Before
- G Pick Up Your Tux. You’ll need to pick up your tuxedo.
- G Get Purse Ready. Put together your purse, and gather a change of clothes if you need it for that evening.
- Sleep! Get a good night’s rest, as hard as that may be.
Prom Day!
- G Pick Up Corsage. Stop by the florist in the morning to pick up her corsage.
- G Pick Up Boutonnière. Stop by the florist in the morning to pick up his boutonniere.
- G Go To Appointments. Get to all of your appointments on time so that you don’t feel flustered and rushed.
- Get Ready. Give yourself plenty of time to get dressed, get ready, and meet your friends and families on time. Take plenty of pictures!
- Have a Great Night!
After Prom
- G Return Your Tux. You’ll need to return your tuxedo the day after prom. Don’t forget!
- Get Your Pictures Developed. Get your film developed and share copies with everyone.
- Thank Your Date. Don’t forget to thank your date for a lovely evening!
Image Credited: SXC
