Turning 18 is one of the most memorable days in a girl’s life. This is why this special event calls for immense preparations and some families even go the extra mile to make sure the big day will go as planned. Most debutantes also choose to stay hands-on from the planning until the execution to make sure their dream debut celebration comes to life.
It’s a once-in-a-lifetime occasion, so don’t be afraid to go all out with the preparations! Are you ready to throw your best birthday bash yet? Here is a complete checklist of all the necessary things you should put together to ensure you won’t miss out anything for your debut.
12 Things You Need to Prepare for Your Debut
1. Budget
Before you decide on anything else, you need to benchmark your budget first. Make sure to consult with your family regarding the spending plan. This will help you narrow down your options in considering all the other elements of your coming-of-age party. Ideally, the initial budget should be padded by around 10 percent so as to give room to cover unforeseen extra costs.
2. Guest List
You can now begin to determine the number of participants that you wish to invite based on the set working budget. Finalize the headcount before you move forward to planning catering services and the event venue. Start counting from family members followed by relatives, close friends, and classmates. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to plan out the 18’s! The list of people who will take these special roles should be included in your invitation. Normally, the number of invites in a debut celebration range from 100 to 200. Here are the classic 18’s that shouldn’t go missing on your list.
Selection of Special Attendees for the Traditional 18’s
18 Roses
The 18 Roses signifies the woman’s readiness to enter the world of romance. The debutante gets to receive the roses from 18 men in her life and they take turns to dance with her. Usually, the father is the one who’ll give the first rose and the second to third are from the siblings if she has any. These are preceded by male cousins and close friends. The 18th rose often comes from a special someone in the debutante’s life – could be her boyfriend or a suitor.
18 Candles
The 18 candles symbolize the bright future that awaits the maiden. As per tradition, eighteen wise women are selected to give their speeches of advice as they hold a lighted candle. These candles are then placed next to the cake for the debutante to blow after all the addresses. Usually, the mother is the first to express her message, followed by the aunts, female relatives, best friends, and so on.
18 Treasures
Unlike the previous classic 18’s, the debut’s treasures can come from either gender. They are to offer a gift to the celebrant and they’ll a short speech from them should justify the reason for picking such items. These 18 treasures represent the significant instruments that the debutante will need on her journey towards womanhood. It is important that the celebrant picks the people dear to her since these treasures are meant to be cherished for the rest of her life.
3. Theme
Now that you’ve finalized the guest list, you need to decide on the theme before you can eye for prospect venues. The theme will set the mood and ambiance of your event so make sure to plan it well. May it be boho, fairytale, modern or pastel, your guest should know what to expect. This way they’ll be guided with their attire preparations.
You can also search on the Internet and if you need inspiration. If you find it difficult to choose from a myriad of theme suggestions, remember this one simple trick. Think of your personality and let it shine! Remember that this celebration is made just for you so go for a concept that best suits you and your interests.
4. Date and Venue
When preparing for the big day, one of the most important considerations is the date and venue. For the schedule, you need to think of a day in which most people are most likely free and will have the chance to attend. Also, place careful thought on the season – does the big day fall on the rainy period? If yes, then you most likely need to look for a covered venue (indoors) to make sure the weather won’t ruin your party plans.
In terms of location, one of the crucial questions you need to answer is: will it be able to accommodate the number of guests that you set? You can have your party in a private hall, clubhouse, restaurant, or even your own house so long as the attendee will all fit inside the venue. Note that it should also include a bathroom, kitchen, proper ventilation, and electrical outlets to make your guests comfortable during their entire stay.
Another thing to keep in mind is the theme. Will the venue support your desired mood or motif? Choosing the right debut location will certainly help in creating an impact on your guests and ensuring that your vision comes to fruition.
5. Stage Design and Decorations
Your venue alone cannot breathe life into the theme that you set. You need to supply it with decorations that will enhance the atmosphere. For instance, if you picked a fairytale motif, you might need to fill the place with floral decorations, shining elements, chandeliers, and elegant furniture. The stage should also be well-designed since this will be the center of attention in most parts of the program. If you want to save yourself from the laboring process of constructing the stage design, try checking out services that provide stage set-up and rentals.
6. Invitations
Your party invitations are important because they will guide your guests regarding the event. Here, details such as date, venue, theme and guest roles, and dress codes are indicated. Let your creative juices flow through the designs of the cards. Make sure to incorporate the event theme with the layout.
You can distribute these invitation cards either personally or via a courier. If you’re looking for more convenient options, you can also deliver your message of invitations through social media.
7. Program
The flow of activities should also be given enough attention. Preparing a program will help you monitor what else you’ll be needing and if you need to contact suppliers. It is also often included in the invitation cards so your guests will have an inkling of what to look forward to and how long the event will take. Debut program normally includes the traditional 18’s, speeches, presentations, and a few entertainments like dancing and song performances and even games!
In bringing the program to life, you also need an emcee or event host that will facilitate the flow of the party. Choose an event host with good oral communication skills and can make the party fun and alive. This way, you’ll ensure that the listeners stay attentive and won’t feel bored during the program.
8. Attire and Makeup
Gowns always receive meticulous attention when it comes to the 18th birthday celebrations. In fact, most celebrants hire a designer and stylist to bring their dream attire to life. Some even have different looks with two to three outfit changes for their debut.
If you’re aiming for such variety, you might want to opt for detachable gowns so it will be easier for you to slip on other clothes. It is recommended that you have your dress sewn at least 4 to 5 months before the big day. Make sure to match your shoes and accessories with the accent of your gown.
You might also need to hire a stylist to do your hair and makeup. If you have a specific look in mind, try showing it to your team so they’ll have beauty inspirations to follow.
9. Food
Probably one of the greatest motivators for people to attend your party, the food that will be served on your debut should be enough to fill their empty stomachs. Some families usually choose to hire a caterer so as to save them from the stress of preparing food in large volumes. Another advantage of it is that catering service providers normally provide chairs, tables, utensils, napkins, and service. If you decide to avail of their service, be sure to inform them of the headcount as well. Keep in mind that it is better to have excess food than run out of it. Provide your guests with some good food experience and they’ll surely leave the party feeling happy and satisfied.
Aside from the menu, your cake should also be one of your top considerations. Whether it be a simple cake or an extravagant one, birthdays as grand as this one definitely won’t be complete without the debutante blowing candles on their cake. In fact, some celebrants even place paramount attention to it that they select layers of cake for their birthday. You can also opt for cupcakes if you’re tight on budget.
10. Lights and Sounds System
A party won’t be complete without some good music enhancing the mood of the crowd. Prepare a playlist that will hype up the audience and at the same time suit the theme you established. Then blast it up through a top-notch sound system to pump up the event!
In the same way, light effects also give life to the celebration. You can rent these lights and sound system. Some companies provide an operator in their package but there are also parties where the family of the debutante is the one handling the equipment.
11. Photography and Videography
Since the 18th birthday is one of the most important milestones in a woman’s life, some families make an extra effort to have the event documented.
For instance, debut photoshoot has now become a thing among celebrants where they often have both glamour and candid shots. These photos (or videos) can be inserted in invitations or projected during the event in one of the multimedia presentations. The entertaining clips can be shown on large screens, such as an LED wall, while waiting for the arrival of guests, during the opening or even when the people are having dinner.
Another form of event recording is the video taken during the event. There are some who hire videographers and editors so they can revisit every minute of the celebration in the video files. You can also put up photo booths so your guests can pose for the camera and keep copies of the photos as a remembrance.
12. Giveaways
Lastly, don’t let your guests leave empty-handed. Give them some form of souvenirs so they’ll have something to remind them of your special day. Aside from aesthetics, it might be better to provide them with something useful.
Common Debut Giveaways
- Perfume/Cologne
- Small Pillows
- Keychains
- Shot Glass
- Notebooks
- Hand Sanitizers
If you’re currently preparing for your debut, make sure that you keep this checklist in mind so you don’t overlook anything! And as you go along the planning, remember to enjoy the journey as well. Consider this as your welcoming point to womanhood where you’d learn to make life choices and make decisions based on what you truly want to achieve. And if you need a hand in your preparations, you can always count on reliable service providers that can cater to your event needs, whether it be in food, program, or lights and sound equipment.
Looking for lights and sounds rentals for the grand event? Contact us now!
