A rave theme is a very unconventional approach at a debut party. However, if you play your cards right, you might just end up having the best debut ever.
Venue. It would be such a delight if you could rent a bar since these venues are already set up for this type of theme and so you don’t need to worry much about decorations. However, if you would not be able to rent a bar, don’t fret. A little pinch of imagination would do the trick. Your plain venue can be transformed into a raving atmosphere. The place should be dark enough to emphasize the lighting effect that you will set up. When you’ve already figured out how to darken the venue, it is time to scout for suppliers of lighting effects. Choose a supplier who can give you the best deal for more lighting effects as possible. Remember that you are creating something out of nothing. Believe me, this will make all the difference.
Throwing a rave party needs four basic things. Lights, sounds, drinks and party people.
Lights. As mentioned, your venue should be dark enough so as to enhance the lighting effects that you will set up. For lighting effects, you will need the following: Strobe lights, glow sticks, mirror balls, LED spotlight, black lights and laser. Fill the venue with glow sticks to add to your lighting effect and string them together in order to create different shapes. Include a glow bracelet into your invitation and ask your guests to bring it to your debut party. Make your party by invitation only and only those wearing the glow bracelets are allowed inside the venue. Position pseudobouncers at the entrance of the bar. It will add to that bar atmosphere that you are aiming for.
Sounds. A good DJ is a must for this theme, and so is good music and an excellent sound system. The combination of techno, trance and progressive music usually works best with rave theme parties. Browse through the net for these types of music. There are so many good DJ mixes to choose from, but check out DJ Tiesto and DJ Sasha’s mixes as an example. If you have a favorite song in mind that you would like to be included, brainstorm with your DJ the list of songs so that he can arrange the list in order to create a playlist that flows well from song to song. Be sure to specify any special music tracks you would like the DJ to play and when it is to be played. After all, it is your party, so it is your choice.
Drinks. There must also be drinking and toasting in order to create a rave theme, but it need not be alcohol. You do not want your crowd to be too rambuncious. Serve plain iced tea instead. You can also serve shandy which has only 0.5% alcohol, just enough to let their guard down.
Food. For a total Rave Theme, it is optional to serve hot viands unless your guests are expecting dinner first before the rave party starts. Lean more toward foods that are served cold to keep your guests cool as they dance the night away. Also foods that are sweet to provide them with the energy for a night of dancing. Examples of these are shakes, ice cones, ice creams, popsicles and smoothies. You can even have a dessert bar of sorts with foods served in little glass containers (panacota, chocolate mouse, fruit cups, coffee jello). You can also serve fruits and marshmallows dipped in chocolate on a chocolate fountain.
Party people. Invite people that you know really knows how to party. They will create that energy in the dance floor that would encourage nonravers to join in.
Other things to consider are the following:
Dress. In a rave theme, you have two choices. You can wear a gown during the program proper and then change to a more comfortable yet elegant cocktail dress later, or wear a dress that you can party on but chic enough to stand out. If don’t plan on having a program, you should opt for the latter.
Shoes. Wear comfortable shoes that goes well with your dress. Bear in mind that you are going to party all night so comfort is your primary consideration.
Some more cool ideas:
Invite and party favor rolled into one. Make your invite your party favor too. Select trance and dance songs and burn it on the CDs. Design the label of the CD (which will serve as your invite) through CD/DVD label design software that can be downloaded on the internet. Print it and stick it on your CDs. I’m sure your guests would love hearing your CDs over and over that they’ll be psyched, excited and ready for a night of pure fun.
Laser light show. For a more out-of-this-world rave theme, have a laser light show. I’m sure your guests will enjoy watching it as well as dancing with it.
Special effects. A fog machine will surely create a dramatic effect for your grand entrance.
Remember all these and your guests will definitely have something to rave about.
hi! i’m having my debut next week. ano po bang pwedeng ibang names ng 18 candles,treasure,and roses if my theme is rave and glam? THANKYOU!
Hi shiela,
For a rave and glam theme, you can probably use 18 neons, 18 lighters, 18 spotlights, or 18 raves (rave reviews about you – speech about your good qualities) for your 18 candles. 18 dance moves, 18 hunks for your 18 roses, or 18 bubbles, 18 wines, 18 toasts, 18 champagnes still for 18 roses but they will make a speech, toast and then dance with you. For 18 treasures or gifts, try 18 glitters where they will toss glitters before presenting you your gifts, or 18 glam styles where they will give you a gift pertaining to a style that suits you best, (dress, bag, makeup, etc), make a speech about it and then give it to you. hope this helps.
wala din po akong idea para sa invitation. ano po pwedeng gawin?
ano pong pwedeng give away for this theme? na hndi nmn gnun kamahal š
Hi Ryn,
Pwedeng Glowsticks. alam ko tig 10 pesos each lang yan š
š thanks. pero anu pa po kaya iba pwede? hmm? ..
Hi, I’m totally into the idea of having a rave debut! However, I’m having a hard time in finding a good bar/club that is not so much expensive to rent ’cause it’s such a hassle to decorate a plain venue. Do you have some venue suggestions? š
Hi Marjorie!
We think you can definitely combine rave and theme and we think these two themes complement each other. Maybe you can be the mother robot or something — your dress having more glitters and shiny metallic fabric than others. You can move like a robot althroughout your debut (if you’re game! haha) But seriously, having a futuristic rave party means you have to make sure that your venue and your clothes are shinier than ever! To stand out, you can wear headband that has antenna or something. You just have to stand out from your guests if you want them to be in costumes too! You can substitute your 18 roses with 18 Spare parts and your 18 Candles with 18 Light-Emitting Diodes (LED)
Hope this helps and happy planning! š
Hi, Iāll be celebrating my birthday this Feb and i still donāt know how the party will go. I like a rave party . It will be held on a bar.
I donāt know how to do it tho, the flow of the program. I have traditional 18ās . Iām planning to put games instead so that the guests could interact with each other. How should the flow of the program be?Thanks.
Hi Ayhi,
For a Rave theme, the programs are usually informal, because this is basically a dance party of some sort. Limit you programs to just the introduction, grand entrance, 18s, cake cutting, your presentation (song or dance number from you) and games interspersed in between sections. You need not have a cotillion. A substitute for this would be you and your friends in a modern dance number. Hope this helps.
Hi, again. Thank you for the idea. š Can you make me a Technical Script for that email it to me. Thanks again,
Hi Ayhi,
We have the debut technical script here — http://debutideas.com/?p=979
Just do a little tweaking then you’re on your way!
Happy planning!
thank you! on what part of the party i will put my video presentation and the dining?
Hi im celebrating my 18th birthday at home it’s a house party so can you help me kasi gsto ko sa may program š HELLPPP.
Hi Kimmy,
If you are looking for a program, we have one here — http://debutideas.com/?p=48
Happy planning!
Hi! Please help me….I’ll be having my debut on june already. I’d really like a rave party…pero dinner first…But i still don’t have a venue. š
Hi Lady Lyn,
We have a page for venues that you may want to look into. Venues. Rave party is really an awesome theme because you and your friends can party all night long and really have a very good time. And yes, dinner is really served first before the dancing part which usually comes way later like probably 9 or 10ish, so you have time for a program before the dancing starts. Hope this helps.
Hi Tricia,
Having a concert-rave party is a great idea for your debut! It will definitely be a fun party! For a rave party, the music is one of the main factors that you have to take some time to consider. Make a list of all the music that you want played that night. If you’re planning to have a concert-type program then line-up songs that your guests can dance and party the night away with. You can either rent a band or a DJ to help you with your theme.
As for the flow of the program, you can do your 18s in between sets. Instead of having a traditional coutillon, why not have everyone do a dance number?
For decorations, nothing says “rave party” then having great lights!
Set-up mini stages or ledges where anyone can come up and dance. Provide glow sticks or mini-flash lights at the entrance to get people in the mood for dancing. If you can, get LED lights spelling out your name and hang them all over the place. It might be best to have cocktail tables and chairs instead of a traditional sit-down arrangement. However, make sure there is enough seats for everyone! Put up comfy sofas or couches along with huge bean bags and carpets where guests can chill out and relax in between dances.
For your souvenirs or invitations, you can give out CDs with your favorite dance songs. Every time they play the CD they will surely remember the fun they had in your party!
Happy planning and have a blast on your debut!
Ello! Just wondering. How long does it usually take to plan a debut? Months and months before? lol I turn 18 next year.. 2ndMonth
hi debut ideas! wow this site is such a big help. i love your ideas. BTW i am planning to have my debut in a bar/club just like MTVās Sweet16. But the prob is, my parents wonāt allow me. They want my debut to be formal and traditional. So now Iām really worried that I wonāt have my desired party. Can you give me tips on how can I apply my āParty Animalā theme to my parentsā āClassic and Boringā theme. I really really need help. Iāve been planning my debut since I was in HS but now that itās near,I think my parents will ruin all of my plans. Please help me, TIA and more power!
hi debut ideas! wow this site is such a big help. i love your ideas. š BTW i am planning to have my debut in a bar/club just like MTVās Sweet16. But the prob is, my parents wonāt allow me. They want my debut to be formal and traditional. So now Iām really worried that I wonāt have my desired party. Can you give me tips on how can I apply my āParty Animalā theme to my parentsā āClassic and Boringā theme. I really really need help. Iāve been planning my debut since I was in HS but now that itās near,I think my parents will ruin all of my plans. Please help me, TIA š and more power!
Hi Jean,
If you still want to have a Party Animal theme yet still please your parents, I suggest you combine the two. Have your decorations, invitations and souvenirs be base on the theme you want but incorporate the traditional 18s in it. Instead of having the entire night set-up for dancing and fun, have your 18 roses and treasures also. In this way, you can have what you want, which is a Party Animal theme, and what your parents want. Hope this helps!
Hi Cay,
Planning a debut is pretty easy especially if you already know what you want. Once you have chosen a theme, then everything else will be a breeze because you already know where to base the from. You can spend months to plan a debut party, but a good 3-4 months will do. It might take longer if you have yet to find a venue. So, my advice is to secure a venue first. Hope this helps!
Hello! I will be turning 18 next year,JUNE.I’m still having a hard time whether if I will celebrate it or not.If I will celebrate it,I want it to be elegant but simple.My mom told me that if I won’t be celebrating,even a simple party, WE will spend the money on a trip out of the country.Of course, as a teen, I really want to know if celebrating it would really make a difference in my life.I am not that slim,so I don’t like wearing gowns.Your opinion is highly appreciated. Thank you in advance!Have a nice day
Hi Sofia,
You can take the trip anytime you want but having a party on your 18th birthday is once in a lifetime. That is what we tell debutantes. Debuts need not be expensive or formal. Just a gathering of your friends and family, having fun will do. You can choose a theme that is not really formal so that you don’t need to wear a gown. You can even divide your mom’s budget so that you can have both a vacay and a bday party. Hope this helps.