Prom Planning 101: A Practical Guide for the Big Night
Prom season is here, and while the night is all about making memories, the weeks leading up to it can be very stressful. From budgeting to picking the perfect outfit, planning the night takes time, effort, and a good strategy. Whether you are going with a date, a group of friends, or just by yourself, making smart choices can help ensure a fun and stress-free experience.
To get the full picture, I talked to three seniors: Emma Jelane and Matthew Wilds, who looked back on their prom experience from last year, and Laila Springob, who also went but is taking a different approach this time. While Emma and Matt shared what they learned from last year, Laila talked about how she is planning ahead and what she’s doing differently this time around. Their insights cover everything from setting a budget to creating the perfect timeline, so you can enjoy prom without last-minute panic.
Budgeting: Spend Smart, Not Big
Prom can come with a hefty price tag, especially when you add up the outfit, accessories, and the ticket. But many students looking back believed that not every expense was worth it. “I wish I didn’t spend so much money on shoes,” said Emma Jelane, a current senior at Leonia High School that had the opportunity to attend last year. “It’s so irrelevant—you take them off the second you get there.” Others agreed and had similar thoughts, focusing their spending on items that had more impact throughout the night.
Matthew Wilds, another senior who attended the 2024 prom, kept his costs low by having the ticket paid for him, his only focus was his outfit and corsage. “My suit and corsage were the only things I paid for,” he said. “The tux was all black, and I just matched my bowtie to hers.”
Choosing the Right Date: Friends Over Formalities
Deciding who to go with can be one of the toughest parts of prom prep, you don’t want to end up not enjoying your night or even looking back and thinking “why would I ever”. Many students say chemistry matters way more than formality.
“Going with a friend makes a huge difference,” said Emma. “If you really wanna have a good time, make sure you and your date are really good friends. Don’t go with somebody you think you’re never gonna speak to again.”
For others, the decision can be very spontaneous. When Matthew was asked he decided to just go with the flow and tag along. Others, like Laila Springob ‘25, are planning ahead to make the most of the night: “I’m going with a date and my friends—kind of the best of both worlds.”
Finding the Perfect Fit: Comfort Meets Confidence
From different color schemes to comfort, picking the right outfit is probably the most personal part of the prom prepping experience. Emma said she started with a vision: “Focus on a color scheme that you want—that’s how I found and picked the right outfit.” Laila is still deciding, but she said her choice will reflect her personality: “I want my dress to suit me and be something I feel the most confident in.” And while trends matter, so does practicality. Matthew kept it nice and simple in a black tux, with just a matching bowtie to coordinate with his date, some would say boys have it easier when it comes to prom.
Beauty Prep: Picture-Perfect All Night Long
Hair, makeup, nails—beauty prep is a whole strategy on its own. Emma shared some must-haves: “Setting powder and setting spray. When you’re outside taking pictures beforehand, you do NOT want your makeup to be off after three seconds.”
Laila is keeping things in-house: “I plan to do my own makeup and hair because I enjoy doing it and don’t trust other people.” Meanwhile, Matthew took a low-maintenance routh with a fresh shave, haircut, and even a subtle nail glow-up: “Clear gel. It looked clean and nice.”
Don’t Forget the Essentials
When it comes to surviving the night, the little things make a big difference.
Emma’s top three: “Slides or socks—those heels are coming off after two seconds. A purse to keep your phone in, and sweatpants or something to change into after.”
Laila agreed on being prepared for foot pain, and also recommended lip gloss and perfume for quick touch-ups. Matthew wished he had brought a couple extras too: “I would probably recommend taking chapstick and I wish I brought a nice pair of glasses that match my tux for the pictures.”
Some other essentials to stay prepared could be either a charger, such as a portable one, a camera isn’t a need but it would definitely be nice to capture the moment, and anything makeup related that you feel like you would need to touch up throughout the night because it will be hot and you will be sweating, especially if you are taking pictures outside beforehand.
Timing: Build a Realistic Schedule
The biggest prom-day mistake? Definitely underestimating how long things take.
Emma said her timing was way off: “I started getting ready two hours before—it needs to be three or four. And leave your hair in clips and hairspray until right before you walk out the door.”
Matthew mapped out his prep after school, starting off by hanging up his tux before he went to school: “I went home, shaved, showered, did my hair, and got dressed. Then I went to take pictures.”
Laila is already expecting some chaos, she thinks the most stressful day will be the day of prom rather than the days leading up, “because everyone will be rushing to get ready and take pictures before.”
The Prom Debrief
At the end of the day, prom is what you make of it. Whether you go all-out with glam and accessories or keep it lowkey with a few close friends, what matters the most is enjoying the moment. Everyone I talked to had different approaches, but they all agreed on one thing: planning ahead makes a huge difference.
One fun detail? A lot of people don’t make it through the whole night in their “perfect” outfit. By the end, heels are off, bowties are loose, and most are in sweats or slides—proof that comfort always wins in the long run.
So take the advice, make it your own, and remember : prom is just one night, but the memories can last way longer—especially if you plan smart.
Picture Credit: Canva