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.
Hello! I’m having my debut this month and I’m still finalizing the details. Too much for a rush, but I know you can help me. 🙂
The theme is called Enchanted World (from the Disney movie starring Amy Adams and Patrick Dempsey). However, I’m having a difficulty on thinking of ideas to incorporate the theme into the party itself. I have already decided on the attire, which will be all-white and semi-formal. As for the music, the decorations, the souvenir items, and the program, i absolutely have no idea how to make them “enchanted”.
I hope you can share with me your brilliant ideas soon. Thank you and more power to your site. 🙂
Sincerely,
Kacie
Hi! I’ll be celebrating my debut this March 2010 at Plaza Ibarra. But I’m still not decided on what theme I will be having. I really want my theme to be fairytale-like (princess type..etc.). Please give me more ideas?:) Any suggestion where can I get a cute invitation that will fit to my theme?
thanks a lot! 🙂
hi! im thinking of having a magic show party around february and for the dancing part as a glow in the dark. do u have any other suggestions as themes. my venue will be on a garden style.
Hi Angelica,
A Fairytale theme is a great theme to have especially since your venue is just so divine. Imagine you going down on the staircase in your princess like gown. There are a lot of fairytales that you can base your party on and if you’ve decided on what fairytale you like, it would be easy for you to plan your party. If you want a Cinderella inspired theme, you can have an invite with a silver carriage on its cover. You can also have a scroll invite. Placing some catchy words such as enchanting night, magical moment, etc. will surely make your guests look forward to your upcoming party. You can also have an invite with a phrase like “awaken the princess into her deep slumber this March 2010” (sleeping beauty). We have a list of suppliers for invitation in our suppliers page under Invites. http://debutideas.com/?page_id=802#invites. Most invitation suppliers have a variety of templates for you to choose from. You can probably change some wordings here and there so as to make it personalized. Hope this helps and happy planning.
Hi Kacie S,
Enchanted is a very nice movie indeed and it is a great theme to have. You can have a sort of grand ball for your party. Have a grand waltz with one waltz song instead of different 18 roses songs. Party favors can be tiaras, necklace, bracelets and fairy wings for the females and keychains, hankies or bow ties for males. Cupcakes and wand-shaped chocolates would also be a good party favor. Hire facepainters to paint your guests’ face with butterflies, flowers etc. Fill your venue with flowers of different colors and your stage with an arc of flowers and leaves. Hope this helps and happy birthday Kacie.
Hi, my debut will be on february 2010. I would like a Greek Mythology theme. But i also want it to be like a concert type so it won’t be boring. Instead of doing a traditional grand entrance where one only walks, i am thinking that i will sing for my grand entrance. I am thinking of singing “Queen of the Night” by Whitney Houston but i would also like to have other options. Can you suggest songs that I can sing during my grand entrance?
Hi Jean,
You can have “A Night of Enchantment,” Fairies theme, or “Pixie’s Magical Night” as your theme where fairies and other magical night beings abound. The glow in the dark dancing part is a great idea because it will look like fireflies dancing in the night. You can have 18 pixie dust wishes for your 18 treasures/wishes, 18 dance of the fairies for the 18 roses and 18 fireflies for 18 candles. Hope this helps and happy planning.
hi, im planning to have a las vegas/casino/pokernight theme for my debut. or something classy that will use the color red and gold, etc. what can you suggest more to make my party not the “boring” type. i’ll be having it on feb2010. im also looking for a design for my gown, programme flow, invitations and please email me if you know anyone/org/company who designs a themed party (venue) much better if its cheap and affordable, thanks!
can u pls help me in what color combination would fit if it is red?
thank you.
🙂
wat is the best theme for the color white,black and red motif?
hi! po .. please help me on my debut pogram. flow 🙂
Hi Karrie,
The Grecian theme is a good choice. Most debutantes perform during their debut party because this is a chance for them to showcase their God-given talents. A concert party would be so entertaining and I’m sure your guests would love it. I think Queen of the Night is a good choice for a song with a Grecian theme. After all, you are the goddess of the night. Another Whitney Houston song is also nice I’m every woman or Dancing Queen by Regine or Abba. Hope this helps. Happy birthday!
i’ll be celebrating my debut this summer and i would like to have a japanese themed party or something unusual but i don’t know how to do it:( instead of the usual 18 roses, 18 treasures i want to change it to somethign more japanese -y :))please help me:D
hello, I’m Jhen..I have read some of the articles on this site but still im confused..But anyway, i will suggest this site to my friends who will be celebrating their debuts.. Going back to my problem, my debut will be on February 2010 but my mom wants to celebrate it by March.. the only thing settled was the venue and caterer..it is going to held at a resort somewhere in Laguna.. I need suggestions regarding the theme, motif, invitations, give aways and everything.. Honestly, i dont have an idea..I need some help and advice from an expert like you..please help me! I want it to be simple but unique and something memorable 4 everyone..
pls.. pls.. help me.. Thanks a lot!.. more powers.. 😀 and God Bless..
Hi Jhen,
If it is going to be held in a resort, would it be like a pool party? There are a lot of themes specific for pool parties in one of our articles. http://debutideas.com/?p=694. You might want to gain some ideas there. If you have a specific theme in mind, it will be a lot easier to plan everything. What would you want to do for your party? Do you want a beach themed party or a hawaiian theme perhaps? Do you want to fill your venue with colorful balloons or flowers? Does your resort have a garden? If so, you could also have a butterfly theme, fairies theme, etc. Pick a theme first so we can go over ideas for invites and give aways easily. Hope this helps and happy planning.
Hello Debutideas.
This is Jude, I got a problem, and I really need your help. My debut is coming on June 11, 2010.
My dad is hesitant about my debut, he doesn’t want to spend “too much” on it.
So this brought me to be too focused on the budget, I can’t even come up with a theme!
So I’m okay to go with simple party. But somehow I want it to be unique and fun somehow.
Food and band are what I only got so far, and everything is left undecided. Got any ideas?
By the way, I’m from Manila, and I’m still looking for a good affordable venue.
(My mother is suggesting our available private lot on our compound, is it alright?)
Thanks! More power! 🙂
Hi Anne,
Red is a very strong color to have so if you are going for a statement, red is really the color to have. You can mix it up with gold for a more royal effect, much like a princess’ gown with gold trimmings. You could also go for red and black for a night of elegance. If you combine red with pink, baby pink or fuschia, or any lighter shade, you will be able to make red a little subtle. Hope this helps. Happy birthday!
Hi ces,
You are Anne too right because you have the same email address. Anyway, when I think of white, black and red, it reminds me of this Tim Burton inspired cake that I saw on the internet that was really very lovely and strange at the same time. It is colored red, white and black. So you may wanna try that. It is very elegant indeed and a little formal. You can also have a roses theme where you could decorate your venue with lots of red and white rose bouquets, red and white petals scattered on the stage and table tops. Clusters of red, white and black balloons would also be a nice decor. Red, white and black motif also makes me think of Moulin Rouge. You could also go for a masquerade theme and it will also be perfect for a red, black and white color combination. Hope this helps and happy birthday.
Hi,i have read a lot of responses from you and i think you can help me out with my dilemma. The thing is my debut would be this coming feb and still i am not fully decided on what theme it would be. I mean im choosing between fairy theme or the princess type (fairytale) theme. If i choose the latter one, the cotillion de honor would be called the royal dance and the 18 roses would be like 18 charming princes etc.. im having troubles with 18 candles (lovely princesses any suggestions?) , and 18 toasts. Please help me out.
if ever i would pick the fairy theme i dont know how to name the 18 roses candles etc and the cotillion also.
i’ll be celebrating my debut this summer and i would like to have a japanese themed party or something unusual but i don’t know how to do it:( instead of the usual 18 roses, 18 treasures i want to change it to somethign more japanese -y 🙂 )please help me:D
hi my debut is next month feb 2010, the venue will be at gazebo royale, its a traditional debut i dont have a theme, but i also want a memorable grand entrance..everything is ready and i still think that something is missing,, help me with my debut.. and i ask my caterer if she can give me some freebies.. would you suggest some? please help me thanks…
Hi Alisca,
For the fairytale theme, try 18 enchanted princesses or ladies, 18 fairy maidens, or list 18 princesses’ names and give them each a different name. You must choose first what princess you would like to be, for instance, if you choose Cinderella, then Cinderella will not be included in your 18 candles princess names. Here is a list of fictional princesses you can choose from. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fictional_princesses. For 18 wishes, why not try 18 happy endings. Hope this helps and happy birthday.
Hi Summer,
A Japanese inspired theme is a very beautiful and simple theme to have. I sometimes call it as cherry blossoms zen inspired theme. For you 18 roses, you can try 18 cherry blossoms. You can also substitute 18 white roses instead of red roses as the zen theme usually makes use of the color white and black or white and chocolate brown. For 18 candles, substitute 18 Japanese lanterns. For treasures, try 18 hidden treasures, 18 buried treasures or 18 origami boxes. Hope this helps and happy planning.
hello, my daughter will be celebrating her debut on feb. 2010. i would like to ask a sample of debut script, of how the program will flow.
thanks so much. susan
your ideas are great, what would be the perfect entrance song for my daughter? is it “She” by Elvis Costello or Johann Pachelbel’s Canon in D? I plan to have a fog machine effect when she enters the door, is that okay? then the music whichever is appropriate?