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 !
can you help me. cos ill be having my debut this coming april 2011.
i need help becasuse i want it to become glamorous and modern
i want my theme .. something about fashion. cos i love fashion. ty
Hi coleen,
Try a fashion inspired theme or a runway inspired theme. A mini runway show is a must for this theme though. It can be substituted for your 18 candles so instead of them just giving a speech, they will walk the runway, strike their fiercest pose and then make a speech. It can also be substituted for the 18 roses if you’re not into dancing where you and each of your 18 roses will walk the runway and then pose at the end for a photo. You can also make your fashion show a part of your grand entrance where some of your friends will walk first and then you will come in last with a different song and spotlight to boot. Your can ask your guests to be in their finest and of course the debutante will be in her sparkling best with a gown that will definitely standout. Make the stage like a runway click here for pictures. Serve cocktails before the party starts so that your guests can mingle and talk to each other. Hope this helps.
Hi Mae,
Sorry for not replying sooner. We have an article that you may want to look into Pool party and it also discusses there ways to use the pool as a decor. Also we have gown suggestions on our debut ideas facebook page Happy Birthday Mae.
Hi Mary Rose,
Sorry for the late reply. I’m sure by now you’re all set for the big day. Debuts need not be expensive. The important thing is sharing that day with the people that matter most in your life. Making them feel loved by you and you are grateful that they are there when you need them. Have fun and happy birthday Mary Rose!
Hi Irene Joyce,
Vintage dresses seem to have lots of laces in them, so go for gowns that have that. The fun thing about Bohemian is that they don’t necessarily conform to standards set by society. So, in essence, it is stepping out of design standards and making the party your own. Infusing your own personality into it. Infuse colors into your party. Boho is experimental in their design style and choice of color. Boho dresses Hairstyles For give aways, you can give away hair pieces like these click here or bandanas. For 18s try 18 retro, 18 vintage, 18 chic, 18 memories, 18 classics. Hope this helps.
Hi there! I’ll be having my debut on April. I have chosen Villa Leonila at San Pedro Laguna as my venue. The thing is, I’m planning on a MUSIC AND PHOTOGRAPHY themed party. What do think could be great ideas for the 18s? And what color could be its motif ?(weird but I do not really have just one favorite color) And also, what could be a good color for my gown? Please reply soon. Thanks!
Hi Romilyn,
We can’t really say what color would be your motif seeing that your theme is a bit vague. It all still boils down to what you really want. You can have a colorful party since photography can be about colors as well and choosing colors that really stand out in photographs (pick three hues). You can also have a black and white party (like the black and white keys of a piano) for the music part. For the 18s, you can have 18 ebonies for 18 roses and 18 ivories for 18 candles. You can also have 18 fierce poses, 18 cameras, 18 pictures, 18 shots, 18 polaroids, etc. Hope this helps.
I really need help for my debut! I am planning to have like a Korean themed debut and I wanted to ask you guys for some great venues to choose from. Gardens to be specific. I can’t think of any gowns/hanboks to wear, and it really worries me. Plus, there would also be dance numbers so a dance floor is definitely needed. Also, I can’t think of how my souvenirs and invites would look like so if you have any suggestions, I would really appreciate it.
Hi I’m Clarisse. I’ll be having my debut on November. I chose Paradiso Terrestre in Molino Cavite as the venue. Right now, I don’t know what’s the best theme fitted for me. I’m choosing between a Princess, Butterfly or Rock Princess theme. I also don’t know what motif to be use, It’s a hard thing to do for me but some colors coming on my mind is silver and aqua blue or purple and silver or maybe honeysuckle pink ang gray. I hope you can help me to decide 🙂 Thanks and God bless.
hello debutideas. im having my debut on June 19, 2011. And my parents were planning for it as soon as possible.. what would be the perfect debut theme for my party?:) i want an extra ordinary party that will be memorable for my special day! Thankyou in Advance More power! Godbless!
Hey! Answer back. need your response 🙂 Thanks ! More power! 😛
Hi Ailyn,
When planning your debut, or any party for that matter, it is best to always go for a theme that fits your personality. Choose a theme that both you and your guests will enjoy, or for something different choose a theme that is totally out of character. This will surely surprise your guests! If you love the beach, go for a beach-like party. If you’re more into whimsical stuff, select a fairy-like theme. You can explore our Ideas & Themes page to give you an idea on some great themes for your debut. Hope this helps!
Hi Jojo,
You can check out our list of venues to help you find the perfect venue. However, if you are looking for a garden area you may want to ask stores that sell plants and garden items if they can rent out their place. In this regard, you do not need to bring in too many plants in the space. If you also know someone who has a great garden or backyard, you can hold you debut there as well. Aside from saving on the expense of renting out a space, it will be a lot more comfortable for everyone.
As for what to wear, Korea has beautiful traditional gowns or handbok. You can choose something truly traditional or something that is a little bit more modern, but still Korean-inspired like the dress below.
For your invitations, you can use flimsy paper and style it to resemble the way Korean’s pack their food, as seen below:
If you can find one, Korean dolls are great souvenirs for a Korean-inspired party! If they are too difficult to find, you can always give a bottle of authentic kimchi or metal chopsticks. These items are inexpensive and can easily be found.
When it comes to planning a themed-party, researching about your theme is your best weapon. Research on traditional and non-traditional items that Korea is known for. Hope this helps and happy planning!
hello debutideas. i choose Modern Fairytale Theme for my Debut Theme. What do you think would be a good substitute for the 18’s?. And also a headline or tagline? and how about for souvenirs? wew. thanks again:)
Hi Kate,
We always tell our debutantes that the best theme is one that fits their personality because there is no use having one if you are not comfortable or satisfied with your theme. 🙂 We have several great ideas on our website. You can check our Ideas & Themes page. Once you have chosen a specific theme, choosing your gown, decorations, invitations and fixing the program will be easy! 😉 You can always write back to us if you need help in planning your party. Hope this helps!
Hi there, my name is ghel. My sister will be having her 18th birthday this june and we are planning to throw a victorian inspired debut party for her. I would really appreciate it if you can give me an idea on what are the other possible “18s” for the party ? what they can be called like 18 roses, candles and treasures. and also what can be the type of music that can be played during the 18 roses. thanks a lot =)
thanks for the info mate, you made my day
hello there, my Debut will be due in 7 months time but I haven’t decided on what theme I am going to do, my venue is a social club where there’s a bar inside it. But I want my debut to be elegant but has a twist on it to reflect on myself as I am a jolly person. can u please suggest what theme is suitable for me? .. oh and by the way my preferred motif is red.
Hi Ghelle,
For 18s of a victorian theme, try 18 pair of gloves, 18 tiaras, 18 diamonds for 18 wishes or 18 treasures, 18 candelabras for 18 candles, 18 bouquets for 18 roses. You may have different types of love songs for each 18 roses. 18 roses music. You may also have just one waltz music where your 18 roses fall in line and take turns for a dance with you and you may call it the grand royal dance. Hope this helps.
Hi Debut Ideas! First of, I really want to thank you for I have accomplished my preparations easily because of your site. I really got a lot of ideas. Thanks. Btw, can you tell me the significance of the 18 shots? I’ll have my debut this coming July 1! Thanks 🙂
Hi Eloisa,
Well, we are glad to be of help to you and other debutantes with your party planning. I think 18 shots is just a variation of 18 wishes where they give a speech and then toast afterwards, in this case, shots (from a shot glass). Hope this helps and happy birthday Eloisa.
Hi
I have been looking for a website about ideas for debut, I found your wonderful website : )
I’m just wondering about ideas for my debut. it will be held on september 2011.
I wanted something elegant and feminine. I like something like nature theme or could you give me another themes.
My favorite color is green, I would like to combine it with gold for my color motif. Is this a good combination?
Thank you and more power…
Hi Debut Ideas!
My debut is on September 15? I soo Love pink/red. But they are so usual. Could you suggest 2 color combination?
Another thing is the song that I will be singing to my friends, relatives and family. May you suggest a song? Thank You. You response is very much appreciated.
I badly needed a best plan to come up for my sister’s debut…I want it to be modern and i just want it to be simple…as of now i cant come up of a better theme that will suit her…I want it to be different…ugggh…
oh and i forgot…i want it to be held in a garden…
Hi Judy,
It depends on what your sister will most probably enjoy. It should also jive with her personality. I’m sure you know her well. When I think of modern, I’m drawn towards parties in bar, more like a “Gossip Girl debut party” or probably a rave party. Garden parties on the other hand are more romantic and dramatic. hope this helps.