Crafting a balanced program for you dream debut party is not really as hard as it sounds. All it takes is a little imagination. There are endless possibilities in creating a program for your dream debut. A program can be as short as two hours or as long as until wee hours of the night. You can go as crazy as making everyone involved and participate in different aspects of the program.
The following is a basic Debutante’s program:
- Introduction of the Debutante, her Escort and her Cotillion Court
- Toast in Honor of the Debutante
- Welcome Remarks (by the parents)
- Invocation or Prayer
- Dining
- Father and Daughter Dance
- Grand Cotillion Waltz Dance
- 18 Roses Dance
- Presentation of 18 Candles
- Singing of Traditional Debutante’s Birthday Song
- Blowing of the Cake Candles
- Cutting of the Cake
- Presentation of 18 Treasures
- Games
- A Word from the Debutante
- Time to Party!
The debutante’s program can also flow like this:
- Arrival and welcoming of guests – guests are ushered to their designated seats
- Cocktails are offered to encourage guests to mingle – this takes your guests’ mind off waiting for your grand entrance
- After everyone settles in their place, the host makes mention of important people who graced the occasion (if there are).
- Drinks and appetizers are served
- Parents talk briefly about the debutante (about her achievements, goals, ambitions, etc.)
- Audio Visual Presentation of the debutante’s life from infancy to present
- Grand entrance of the debutante
- Parents talk some more about the debutante (optional)
- Toast in honor of the debutant
- The debutante makes a short opening remarks encouraging guests to enjoy the party
- Prayer
- Guests start their meal
- AVP of well-wishers
- Father and daughter dance (This may also be incorporated in the eighteen roses. Fathers are usually the first or last dance of the debutante)
- Eighteen roses (audio of speech while dancing)
- Eighteen candles (speech)
- Singing of birthday song
- Cutting of birthday cake
- Games
- Introduction of the debutante, her escort and her cotillion court
- GRAND COTILLION WALTZ DANCE
- Debutante’s thank you speech
- Party time!
Other variations may be the following:
* The host will have a talk, more of like an introduction and a short summary of the program, a little talk on what is in store for the guests so that they would be enticed into finishing and staying for the duration of the party and making the party a success. The host need not mention the juicy parts (those surprise numbers and whatnots)
* For parents who are shy to talk in front of a crowd, the host will do the introduction about the debutante. There will be a little talk before the debutante is introduced. Probably the host may interview some guests and probably ask them some unforgettable moments with the debutante.
* For the eighteen roses, each guy can give a note for the host to read while they are dancing. This can also be recorded and played together with the background music while they dance.
* Cotillion can be danced at the end of the program after which everybody may dance and which may mark the start of the dancing.
* The father or parents of the debutante will talk about the celebrant (you can make a Powerpoint or Flash presentation for everyone to see that has baby pictures or some important milestones of the debutante’s life)
* Father dances with his daughter as a separate part of the program.
* Escort/ bf takes debutante for a dance then everyone dance after some time
* Some also incorporate 18 wines, 18 treasures, 18 gifts as a variation so that most of the guests would be able to greet the debutante.
* Games are inserted on different parts of the program.
Here is a more detailed flow of program but the arrangement can be tweaked here and there according to preference.
- Registration / arrival of guests / receiving of gifts / cocktails
- Guests settle on their seats
- Introduction of the 18th birthday celebrant by the emcee
- Acknowledgment of the parents and other VIPs
- Introduction and entrance of the grand cotillion
- Grand entrance of the debutant and her escort (optional)
- Welcome remarks and toast by the parents
- AVP of debutante (pictures from infancy to present)
- Grand cotillion
- Invocation / prayer before meals
- Meals and pictorial
- AVP of well-wishers
- 18 Roses
- Father and daughter dance
- 18 _____ (any 18s here – 18 wines, balloons or whatever you like!)
- Games
- 18 Candles
- Singing of birthday song
- Blowing of 18 Candles
- Cutting of birthday cake
- Debutante’s thank you speech
- PARTY / Everybody on the dance floor!
So remember, in making your program, list first what part of the basic program you want to retain or delete and then you can make your own rendition according to your liking. Don’t make it too long but don’t make it too short either. Create a balanced program and be imaginative in adding your own flavor into it. A debut party well thought of is a debut party well remembered.
hi it’s not me how’s having the 18 bday but my cousin..she’ll be having her bday this otober 2010 just a month in time my auntie said kahit daw gawin nya by dec nalang daw ok lang naman daw kung gahol sa oras…anyways we don’t have a theme yet for her bday but my auntie wants her to have a dress with colors silver and red because nga daw BER month daw..please help us how to theme her bday in a budgeted event hehehehe i dont know how much the budget is pero sabi ni uncle ko medyo budgeted nga daw so please kindly help us thanks…please email me…thanks…
Hi there,
Just like to ask some few questions and ideas for a debut program. I was to be an emcee for a debut of someone whom I am yet to meet. Anyway, can you advise me the following:
1) Sample of a simple probably a sit down ice breaker at the beginning of the program to psyche up the guests and really charged up the atmosphere of fun and excitement. I want the guests and of course the debutante to really enjoy the night and have fun, be relaxed and for all the guests to finish the program..;)
2) Brief History of Debut celebration, its significance, its meaning, what it symbolizes…I want the celebration to really be purposeful and really memorable for the debutante
3) Any other brigt ideas you can suggest to make the event mon memorable and to keep all the guests glued until end of the debut celeb.
Thank you very much and hope to hear always from you for your future plan. event will be to no tomorrow and I have less than one day to really prepare my script, the guets list and and to get to know th the debutante immediately.
Thanks and best regards,
Isssa
good day. what can be a good idea for victorian era theme debut? for souvenirs etc..
Hi Andi,
For a victorian era souvenirs, i was thinking of ceramic wares like little tea pots or miniature tea sets or ceramic displays of a girl in a victorian dress or an angel. How about masks with intricate designs. You can distribute this at the entrance and your guests will wear this and then double as a party favor. Also victorian pendants or lockets would be a cute give away. Also try feathered ballpens or pencils. Hope this helps.
hello. i just want to ask for some suggestions for the introduction of 18 roses, candles, treasures and shots. thank you. 🙂
Hi Sonia,
Who will be introduced? The participants or the segment itself?
hi mel,
18 cheers and 18 toasts the same. May wine na itotoast ung friend mo. 18 Balloons naman parang 18 wishes siya kasi diba ang balloon pag pinutok nakakawala ung air. parang ganun din kasi sa wish, pinapakawalan ng friend mo ung wish nya for you. tapos at the end of their speeches, pinuputok nila ung balloons 🙂
Hi Sonia,
Who will be introduced? The participants or the segment itself?
the segment itself. 🙂 i can’t think of how can the host open those segments. please help me. thank you. 🙂
hello there, i’m planning a Glow in the Dark/Blacklight Party 3 weeks from now (Sometime in the2nd week of October 2010) I just came up with that idea (just now) because i think it’s really cool.
What can be the substitutes for the traditional 18 roses and 18 candles? And any suggestions for loot bags?
Your reply would be very much appreciated because i really feel pressured right now. 😀
Hi there Jill,
Wow! Your idea is great Jill. You can incorporate your blacklight party with the Rave theme. Also, a 80s theme would be fun too. For your 18s, you can have 18 glow sticks where your 18s will break the glow stick to light it before making a speech at the center of the stage. For 18 roses, it can be 18 stars where 18 glow-in-the-dark stars will be given to you before you dance. You can also go for 18 favorite songs or 18 rave dances and play your favorite dance music. For loot bags, you can put in of course glow-in-the-dark things like stars and stickers. You may also want to put in chocolates or candies inside as they will need it for a night of dancing. You can also have a photobooth with neon lights as backdrop and the pictures of your guests will serve as your party favor. Hope this helps.
Hello there! 🙂
as i read all the comments here, it seems that their questions are answered and they really like it much!
i will be celebrating my debut this coming November, and it seems that i doesn’t have any ideas yet? i can’t think of a theme that will best suits my personality, i’m this kind of person that is just simple. all i want is to have fun, i want to have that 18’s thing, my fave color is blue but i dont think blue will fit for a debut party, what do you think? ii want my party to be the best, but less expenses. how can i do that? can you give me some tips? 🙂 i want that everyone will enjoy the party.
HOPE you will answer my questions. more power :))
can you lend me some advice?
hi there!
My debut party will be on the 30th of October and I haven’t thought of designs on the venue to make yet! My theme will be about music and my motif is the combination of red and black. What would be the best design?
and please send me the best design for a gown or cocktail dress that matches my theme. thank you! 🙂
Hi Leigh,
Is it music in general? Pop music, alternative? classical? How about a black and white party and your dress will be in red to standout. You can have a piano theme inspired by the black and white keys of the piano. You can also have a musical inspired like the phantom of the opera or moulin rouge where the rich color of red and mysterious black abounds. You can showcase your talent in music by having a talent portion and singing some of the songs in these musicals. How about rave theme where you can play your favorite danceable music, hip hop or r&b, and you and your friends will dance until wee ours of the night. Hope this helps.
Hi Frey,
Well the usual attire or costume would be the chiffon sleeves with midriff and then chiffon pants. Take inspiration with Jasmine and Aladdin for the costumes. If your guests aren’t into something like that which I can understand, you can give out small chiffons to drape their faces with to adhere to your theme. Even if they are in a cocktail gown for instance like off shoulder gowns, having them wear the chiffon cover would totally blend them in. This is also a great design arabian inspired gown. The richness of the colors of Arabian textile are similar to that of a Moroccan inspired. You may find some elements here that you may want to use Bollywood theme . Don’t forget the carpet and ask your guests to pose as if the carpet is in flight (photobooth).
Would you be having a small number of guests? We have a debut program sample and script that you may want to read on and then tweak it here and there for parts of it that you don’t want to have. For instance, if it is just an informal dinner with family and friends, you may want to omit the cotillion or the 18s. You may just want an introduction and then some speeches of your parents, ninongs and ninangs, and friends. Hope this helps.
I’m having a debut next month (ouch, too little time to prepare)
I’m planning to have a tropical themed party, because I like the colorful and chill ambience of it. I was thinking, could I their dress code semi-formal? just so they won’t simply wear slippers and shorts?
Or maybe an explosion of colors theme, where the guest would be wearing semi-formal attires with bold and bright patterns.
I also liked your bohemian theme, but can I make it semi-formal as well? Or would that diminish the ambience of the party? Thanks 🙂
Hi Ayen,
For a tropical theme, guests are suggested to wear something that they wear at the beach which are beach shorts and white polo, maxi dresses and slippers because it adds to the ambiance of being in a beach (tropical). Your second theme would be much more appropriate for a semi-formal type of party because you can ask your guests to wear any color but black cocktails and polos. The bohemian theme also would be a great theme. Ask your guests to wear maxi dresses for the ladies and a somewhat grunge look for the guys. Remember that you can only suggest to your guests what they wear. You don’t have control over it. The success of the party lies on whether you and your guests enjoyed it. Hope this helps.
Hello! I’ll be having my debut in two months and I was wondering what could my court do with me besides a grand dance? I’m not allowed to perform a dance because of my religion but I was wondering if you had any ideas? I still would love to do something with them!
Also, (sorry for the bother for more questions) I was wondering what could I do with a Sanrio [or Hello Kitty] theme?? That’s what my family is preparing and I don’t want it to look too “kiddish”. I don’t know where to start with the music and such. Any suggestions??
– Thank you so much!
Hi! I will be celebrating my 18th birthday next year on March, and I am planning to have a GREEK MYTHOLOGY theme, well, I just wanna ask for an advice on how will i do the Cottilion De Honor dance,in order for it to be related to my concept:) thanks..Hope you can help me:))
Hi Cha,
As we keep on saying, debuts really need not be expensive because it will all depend on what you want for your party. Naturally if you hire an event stylist to decorate your venue, that would cost much more than when you do the decorations yourself or you look for a venue where the venue decor is included in the package or a caterer who will also put flower decors free for your chosen package. For the color blue, i’m drawn into the midnight blue thing with silver as highlights which would look like the sky at night. Or how about blue as in the ocean which can be a beach theme or tropical theme. A midnight blue cocktail dress would really look great or a flowy chiffon sky blue dress. Happy planning.
Hello! Good day! I’m having my debut on December and the motif is lavender and pink, then I’ll dress like Barbie, with all the glitz and glamour and all that stuffs. Now I’m wondering what kind of design I would choose for my invitation and the format of it. I also don’t know what souvenirs I would give out to my guests, any suggestions? Your reply would be a great help for me. Thank you!
Hi! I’m thinking of doing a vintage vogue party this January. Any suggestions for games and 18 substitutes? 🙂
hi, i want to know the role and responsibility of 18 treasure… what those they do in the said occasion?. thanx