The prom isn’t about that one night in May.  It’s also about the journey there.  A lot of excitement and a lot of questions start to surface way before that special evening.  We have some advice to share to get you there in style.

Group dates, okay or not?

Haley:  Prom dates can be hard to come by especially in a small school.  So is it acceptable to go with a friend or group of friends?  Yes.  Going with an actual date is fun but it can be restrictive too.  You can dance with whomever you want, whenever you want and there isn’t the pressure of being sensitive to one person’s mood the entire night.  Sure, you may not have the romantic prom picture you always dreamed of but

Should underclassmen ask upperclassmen?

Kaitee:  It’s called the Junior-Senior prom for a reason.  The Juniors and Seniors will ask you if you they want you to go.  Of course, if you have already asked, I’m sure you’re an awesome individual and that upperclassmen is excited to go with you but it was his/her job to ask you.  They were invited first.  One exception to this “rule” I can think of includes if you are already dating an upperclassmen.  He/she should have asked but maybe you go everywhere together and it’s just an automatic.  The rest of you freshmen and sophomores–watch yourselves.  Prom asking–not your job.

Do you think your date should buy your ticket?

Lide:  I don’t but my date insisted he do so and when I found out, I thought it was so sweet and it added to the excitement.  But still, I wouldn’t expect it from everybody because guess what?  It’s $70.00!

Is borrowing a dress okay?

Haley:  Borrowing a dress is smart.  Dropping a lot of money on a dress you are only going to wear once doesn’t make sense especially if it’s not your prom.  Consider networking with your older friends to find a dress that wasn’t worn by another person just the year before.  If you are one of those girls who has been thinking about your prom dress since you were 5, junior year is the year to splurge and then consider passing it on a couple years later to a non-junior whose looking out for his/her budget.

Show the dress?

Lide:  Many consider it bad luck for the groom to see the bride’s dress before the wedding.  I don’t know if that applies to prom dresses but I already showed my dress to my date.  It was just to make sure he knew the color it so he could rent a matching vest, tie, or corsage for my wrist.  So, if you are too lazy to give him a swatch, just show your dress.

Your wheels…

Kaitee:  A limo is classic but in recent years firetrucks and even a helicopters have shown up on the scene.  And, of course, because we are in Galway,  tractors.  Limos are cool but tractors are often free.

What should you expect from prom?

Lide:  Honestly, I have no idea.  I come from Spain and we don’t have proms over there–we don’t even have dances. 

Does the location of the prom matter?

Haley:  Prom is about everything and everybody being beautiful and having fun.  That fun includes dancing.  So the the dance space must have enough room for everyone to feel comfortable moving.  I find it kind of disgusting when there i s a guy I have never met before dancing next to me and I can’t get away from him because there isn’t space.   As long as the dance floor is BIG, everything else can be made to look beautiful using decorations.

What are you doing AFTER PROM?

Kaitee:  After prom was originally created to prevent students from making destructive decisions after the prom is over and yet few are ready to go home and let the night end.  It has become more than just a safe place to go.  It’s fun and there are a lot of prizes to be won.  Community organizations go out of their way to make sure it’s a party and a half.  But, there are those of you that host or go to a party after the dance.  All those parties may not be sketchy and if you’re comfortable with the risk and you will be accompanied by some good friends, go ahead.  Just remember the After Prom is a guaranteed good time without any risk of being sketched-out.  Make good decisions.