Getting ready for your upcoming debut party? Basics first! Sometimes, debutantes forget even the simplest of things! So before anything, read these super simple guides regarding your debut essentials. This will definitely help you get a step ahead in your debut planning.
Invites
Still sticking to your motif, choose the invitation that is simple, elegant, and proper for the occasion. Do not rely on electronic invites such as the Email. If you are confident however that your guests check their email regularly, you may do so, just be sure to get a confirmation by calling them to ask if the invitation was received. However, a hard copy of your invitation is still the best way to invite people. After all, this is also where you can showcase your own creativity!
Inviting through SMS or texting may be quite impolite. Remember, you are the one asking them a favor to attend your party. Texting should only be used for confirmation purposes.
Carefully prepare the list of names included in your program. Make sure names are not misspelled. And be sure the people included in your program know what to do. Send your invitations at least two weeks before the event itself. This way, your guests will not set other appointments on your big day.
Your Motif
Motif is usually reduced to the color that will dominantly be used in the party. But really, motif is more than just that.
When choosing your motif, you may consider your favorite color, which is the conventional way of doing it, but to make your party much more interesting to become a real event to remember, you might want to think of a whole theme, rather than just a color.
A theme is a guide to what the most of your party will be about. It may range from something romantic like renaissance to something more magical like fairy tales. It’s all a matter of imagination and creativity, and of course, personality, that motif, which you think is you.
Once you have set your motif, everything else becomes easy.
Music
Choosing your music is like choosing the mood of your party. Just remember that it should not clash with your theme. If you have a Pocahontas theme, the most suited music would be Pocahontas Original Soundtrack. But who’s dictating? You are always free to be creative! Don’t stick to conventions. Choose the music you love most. Wouldn’t you want to remember your special day with a beautiful music?
For your 18 roses, you may pick a song for each and every dance. The song should suit the man you are dancing with. You may request a friend to sing your favorite song during dinner or ask the dj to play your most memorable song while parading around your guests.
Program and Entertainment
The program of your party is important in keeping your guests entertained. Remember, it is your party. You’re the star! But you are also the hostess, you have the responsibility to make the night as enjoyable for them as it is for you.
Most often, the right performers, and emcee do it all. To entertain your guests, you can abuse your talented friends into making them sing your favorite song for instance. In this way, you are giving an opportunity for them to showcase their talents. Parts like the Cotillion de Honor require a great deal of preparation however. It may take months of preparation before you can produce a perfect Cotillion de Honor.
It would also make your event more interesting, if you include special segments, or the “not usual” segments. But always take note of your theme.
Dress
Depending on your motif, you pick the dress that you think will bring out your best, that which will make you feel confident.
Most of the time, we feel confident when we’re wearing something that we think brings out our best figure. So consider the whole design of your gown, more specifically its cut. Be sure that it fits you perfectly well.
Deciding if a gown fits you perfectly well or not is more than just checking if it’s tight or loose. It’s really a matter of feeling. When wearing it makes you feel confident and comfortable, then it must be good on you.
It is easier to choose an outfit knowing what you really want. You can shop for ideas and designs in the mall and gather them into a collective of what design suits your taste.
Hair and Make-up
Hair and make-up may be the most crucial little detail, because hair and make-up can definitely transform you.
It is very important that you feel comfortable and confident with your hair and make-up, because how you look would more or less direct your mood the whole evening.
It would be helpful to experiment with your looks before the big event itself. This way you more or less know what looks good on you.
Accessories
Choosing the right accessories would come in easy as soon as you get your dress. Accessories play a big role, especially when you have chosen a relatively simple gown. Most of the time, the right accessories do it all.
If your dress can stand on its own, then simple accessories are best to be used to avoid overdressing and exaggeration.
Most well dressed people are the ones who keep it simple but undoubtedly elegant.
Bag
A bag is important to keep close the important things you need, those, which you think, you cannot last a single night without. However, carrying a bag with you during this very important occasion is just optional.
For some people, a bag is not an important detail. But you wouldn’t want a wrong bag to ruin your almost perfect debut, would you?
Your bag must definitely match your dress. If it matches, then it’s the perfect bag.
Shoes
Your shoes may not even be visible during the whole night of your party, because of your long dress. But it still is important to have the right shoes, just in case.
In picking your shoes, the thing to consider, aside from style, is of course comfort. No debutante would want a hurting foot after dancing with the eighteen roses.
Your shoes should blend with your dress. It should be in harmony with your gown’s color or detail. If not, it should match your bag. Be sure to ask opinions from your family and friends about your whole outfit so that during your debut you wouldn’t worry about it at all.
Souvenirs
Souvenirs are remembrance, memories, reminders of your event. To achieve the real purpose of souvenirs, do not just give away something that has always been given away. Pick something special that matches your motif. Pick a souvenir that you think will remind your guests of your memorable day with them. Think of something even more creative to give your friends or family who have helped you a lot in organizing your debut. They will appreciate this token so much that they wouldn’t get tired of helping you at all.
Hi Debut Ideas! I’m planning for a New Moon (twilight saga) theme debut, how can I make it unique? for example, what to call the 18s and how will the program flow, how to decorate my venue, party favors and others. I’ll be having it this Feb and the maximum no. of guests will more or less be 100. Thank you and hoping to hear from you soon:)
Hello. I’m going to have my debut next year. But we are planning a year ahead, because I don’t want to be rush. Because I want my debut to be bonggacious and unforgettable one 🙂 for the meantime, I wanna ask you some suggestions and opinion 🙂 Can you help me with the theme, gown and programs? Thanks.
Please Help Me! I’m having a Debut the first week of December and I really really don’t know what are needed. Could you please send me a checklist for a Debut? Like what are most important things and what I should take care first. Please Help!! =D
~ Raven
Hi Jhoan, it’s best to choose only one than to put in everything you want chopseuy-like and end up getting lost. I love that idea of yours — 18 happy endings. I think Hollywood and Fairytale theme really clash so you have to choose only one. Fairytale would be my bet because it’s a very fresh theme for a young person like you. If you have more time to prepare, maybe you can pull off Hollywood theme party / red carpet theme. Just make sure that your guests cooperate by being in their best attire for the evening. happy planning!
hi dhen,
it’s up to you. we have provided some ideas in this site so that you can get some ideas and choose from among the themes we have provided. choosing a theme for your 18th birthday party really depends on your personality and taste 🙂
Hi Cora,
For the music, maybe you can include Enya in your playlist. You can also explore the OST of the movie “Penelope” starring Christina Ricci — http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojiU1NYLlhQ — they can be a good background music. The souvenirs for your Enchanted Evening party can be cute little boxes with fairy dust inside. then just include a quote that says :
“Thank you for coming to my birthday you’re indeed a friend so true! Here is a box of pixie dust you can wish on, I’m giving this to you.”
Something like that. It doesn’t have to be something useful. Since you are having a wonderful magical evening, anything can become a souvenir, as long as you put some enchanted literature with it. The secret really is making your guests feel that everything in your party is as magical as your imagination.
Happy Birthday to your daughter! Hope we have helped you in any way.
I hope this article can also help — http://debutideas.com/?p=1354
Hi Mhing!
Usually, themes should be selected first before the color motif. But since you have chosen a color already, I think it would fit the Alice in Wonderland Theme. Give aways can include little teacups, trinkets, different kinds of hats (Madhatter) and playing cards keychain
Hope this helps!
Hi Eds,
18 Roses would be perfect for a Vampire themed (Twilight-inspired) debut because the Red Rose is one of the most dominant elements in vampire movies. 18 Candles are perfect too! I suggest you don’t replace 18 Candles because they’re the most visible elements in vampire films.
For your invites, I suggest you send wax-sealed old-school enveloped invitations
Maybe you can also splatter red paint all over your letter, suggesting that it’s blood and it’s time to gather all your blood sucking friends — something like that.
Hope this helps!
Hi Debbie,
Choosing an outfit depends on your theme. And since you have a tan skin, I suggest you choose a lighter color like white or pastel pink or blue. Wearing outfits that are lighter will make your beautiful skin color stand out! It shows that you are very proud of your skin and that you’re very confident about yourself.
Happy birthday!
Hi Maron,
Hmmm… maybe you can have a huge TV made from styro that can be displayed on the stage! You have to be in that TV of course because it’s like your guests are watching your show! You can have 18 TV Personalities greet you (here, your 18 friends will dress like someone from the TV show they’ve chosen. One friend can dress like Sheldon from Big Bang Theory and greet you a very happy birthday in their character, one friend can be Rachel Berry from Glee and she can greet you with a song, or she can also be in Rachel’s maldita character) and 18 TV Shows (here your friends will make a small speech about what TV show they think you can star in / fits your personality).
Hope this helps! 🙂
Hi Miana,
That’s a great theme! You can be in a princess outfit and wear shades at the same time (the character of Ann Hathaway is an unwilling princess who doesn’t want to completely get rid of the culture she grew up in).
Or you can also wear a school outfit and have glamorous shoes, hair and make up at the same time!
The invitation can be a scroll invite or the usual invitation they have in the movies when women get invited to a ball.
Or something unique….
Just make sure that these elements are present in your “Princess Diaries” themed birthday / debut party:
Royal, Elegance, Youth and Playfulness.
Have fun planning! 🙂
Hai debut ideas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!My debut will be this coming 12 of december 2010
i really need your advice if what should be my give aways for my debut…i had already decided my motif of blue and pink together with the theme of Butterfly themes…is it ok????????????????i’m hoping for your urgent reply…thanks a lot
Hi Karen,
It really depends on two basic things, your theme and your budget. Since you have pink and blue as your color motif, you can buy party favors on those colors. Look also for butterfly cellphone trinkets, keychains, figurines, bracelets, etc. You can also have a CD of your favorite music with a butterfly front cover. If you want to splurge, there are so many things to choose from and this is how you choose click here. You can have edible party favors along the lines of cupcakes with butterflies on top and that would really be awesome and cute. There are also those preserved butterflies made into paperweight which you can consider. You can also go for butterfly shaped chocolates and save lots by doing it yourself, or have a pastry basket adorned with beautiful pink and blue ribbons. The possibilities for party favors are endless and these are just some of it. Hope this helps. Happy planning.
Hi Tricia Roxas,
I’m just wondering what type of dance you are fond of ‘coz maybe you can look for a dance movie on that category and then make that as your inspiration. If you are into the hip hop dances, movies like Step-up 1 and 2, Save the last dance, How she move, among others, might help you. If you are into ballet, The Company, and ballet and tap dancing White Nights.. Oh and don’t forget Flashdance and Dirty Dancing. You grand entrance would be like a dance off of the girls versus the boys afterwhich spotlight will be on you coming out of the stage with a dance. Hope this helps. Have fun planning your debut.
Hi Kimber,
I have watched Magkaribal a couple of times and I can say that the gowns and stage design for their runway shows are great. Make that as your inspiration in converting your venue into a fashion runway. Have a platform at the center where you and your friends could walk on for your mini-fashion show. A carpet placed at the middle could also make for a nice runway. If you want to create a sort of drama, have a fashion show stand-off script where supposedly your friends are fighting over who has the best designs and you will emerge victorious in it. Remember what Gretchen said about fashion “Out with the Old, In with the New” or something like that. Well, you could probably use that phrase for your title. Hope this helps. Happy planning. I’m sure your party will be a success.
Hi Jaynie,
Can you post the link of the gown again? It’s not showing in your comment.
Anyway, hot Pink and black usually goes with Gossip Girl theme. Anyway, since the girls from Gossip girl love to party, you may replace 18 Roses with 18 champagne toasts or wines wherein your 18 Roses will first make a toast then dance with you. You can replace your 18 candles with 18 hats / 18 headpieces or 18 scarves. You may also want to try 18 Gossips where each friend will tell something personal about you. They will then make the guests guess whether such story is true or just gossip. For 18 treasures, you may try 18 fashion styles where they will give you some things that are fashion related like clothes, bags, shoes, etc.
Hope this helps!
Hi,
My best friend will be celebrating her 18th birthday on February 10, 2011. Her family and I are planning a surprise party for her. We wanna keep it keep simple and cheap, because there are only 50 persons invited. But we still want to give her, her 18 roses, and 18 candles. Oh and by the way the motif is semi-casual (for girls dress and heels or wedge while for the boys are polo and jeans ) since the venue will be on a private resort.
Any suggestions on how we can accomplish this?
thanks
hi!i’ll be celebrating my debut this coming april and the theme i want to work with is korean drama…but i don’t know how to do it because it’s kind of weird and new…please help me!thank you in advance!God bless!
hello debut ideas . what is the perfect debut theme for my celebration ? im planning it in Plaza Ibarra instead in Glass Garden . thank you .
Hi Jerriene (ailabyuesomuch@yahoo.com.ph),
Plaza Ibarra is such a beautiful place. Maybe you can have a Filipiniana-inspired debut party. Or maybe a VINTAGE THEME! That would be awesome in pictures with lovely colors and nostalgic dresses! 🙂
Hope this helps and happy birthday!
Hi Cherry,
I think this is fairly doable. Make sure the 50 guests are all in it though. If any one of your guest lets out a word then the whole surprise will be ruined. If it is in a private resort, you may as well have a beach themed or a bohemian inspired party with maxi dresses for female guests and cool khaki shorts for male guests. That way, your friend will not be suspicious that a party is going to happen in your “swimming weekend.” Rename the 18s according to the theme that you choose. Hope this helps.
i’m planning for my coming debut this march 14 but i will celebrate it on march 12 because when i celebrated it on my exact birthday maybe only few will come with my special day because it is a school day and at the same time it is our final exam..can you help me plan my debut..for i just have a budget of 50 thousand..what can my budget afford?
Hi debutideas! I’ll be celebrating my 18th birthday on March 5 and we had just started organizing the event. It was kinda late because i had a hard time convincing my parents to let me have a party. haha. Anyway, the theme of my debut is Black and White Party. It will be held in a Pool Area. Do you have some ideas on how i can use the pool? And I’m thinking of wearing a red dress instead of a gown. Do you have some designs that you can suggest for the dress? Thanks in advance! =)
hi debutideas
your site is really great!
I am planning to have my party in a resort or let’s say I want it to be a pool party, but the thing is, I don’t want it to be in tropical theme. Instead, I want it just to be simple, maybe I’ll wear a simple gown or cocktail dress and then same as the guests. I want it to be in a resort so that after the party, I’ll have my friends stay overnight to have more fun.
Can you suggest some pool resorts near manila with good function halls or garden??
I’ll wait for your reply!
thank you and God bless!
Hi there 😀
Well, I am planning to have a Korean themed debut. I am a half Korean but most of my friends do not know. I am not sure of where is the best place to celebrate my debut. So, can you give me some ideas or recommend me some places? I am avoiding venues where there are swimming pools though. There’s no budget limit at all. Also, are there any other tips for a Korean themed debut? Like, decorations, food, invitations, give aways and such? Also, if possible, what can be done instead of the 18 roses? And I am not sticking to only the traditional Korean but also K-pop and K-dramas.
Thank you in advance 🙂