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.. my cuz wants to have a hawaiian debut.. do u have any ideas for this motiff? 😀 Thank you.. 😀
Hi Evelyn,
Hello Evelyn!
If your cousin is opting for a Hawaiian inspired debut party, choose an outdoor venue, better if it’s with a pool. Create Leis made of real flowers and foliage or made of colorful silk flowers. You can also light up tiki torches on the entrance, just like the ones you see in Survivor. you just have to make sure that the torches are safe of course 🙂 You can look for tiki torches at specialty shops like Ace Hardware.
Have your ushers stand at the door and greet everyone “Aloha” with a Lei. This gesture not only welcomes them, it also gives them the props they need for photographs in case hey forgot to wear a Hawaiian attire. These leis are perfect for photo opportunities. But of course you have to tell the guests through your invites about the dress code. The guests need not wear a formal attire. they can wear shorts and white polo (for men) and sundress (for the ladies).
You can have someone play the Ukelele to serenade your guests as they enter or your DJ can play reggae music like the songs of Bob Marley.
Create a luau. You can hire ukelele and guitar players and fire dancers too for a more authentic Hawaiian atmosphere — whatever fits your budget. For the 18s, your cousin can have 18 Leis (as a replacement for 18 roses), 18 tropical drinks (for 18 wines), which can include unique recipes of Hawaiian cocktails and punches, and 18 treasures.
You can do some thorough research about the Hawaiian culture and what else you can apply in your cousin’s 18th birthday celebration.
Happy Planning! 🙂
Hi,
I’m yhe…
I read all your comment&suggestion …. and i think you are great.
I need your help, I am the emcee of my friend debut this march…
Can you give me some sample of introduction line or words that i may use..
And some script that may help to make the program dont look boring.
thank you so much.. God Bless
Hi Yhe,
It is nice that you are hosting your friend’s debut party. I’m sure you would be great considering you know her personally, you probably have so much to say. The good thing about you as a host is that you can tell some experiences you shared with the debutante, good or even embarrassing ones, that will make it exciting, funny, and not boring. We have an outline of a program that may help you in constructing your own script. Program Flow. We also have a sample technical script that you may use as a basis. Hope this helps and happy birthday to your friend.
Thank you so much…
i tried my best..
god Bless
what color is the best for a debut? please help me..
Hi Debut Ideas!
My debut is still next year but as early as now I’m already thinking of a theme. So I was planning to have an around-the-world ish theme
’cause I love stuff like air mail, stamps and things like the Eiffel Tower. However, I’m sort of not sure yet because i don’t want it to be too literal because I also like vintage stuff, fashion and music. Any ideas you can suggest?
And I’m having the debut at the Century Seafood, so any ideas on how to enhance the place?
Thanks so much!
Hi. i am planning to have a butterfly themed party but at the same time I want it to be magical… what can I do? Can I have butterflies during my entrance?
Hi! i really like your website.. it gave me a lot of ideas! but one thing that keeps bugging me is my motif.. my venue is a hotel bar by the way but i want to keep the formality of the event.. so i was planning to have a black party… but my motif is black and purple… so my idea is to wear a purple gown and the guests will be wearing black dress/gowns/suit with purple accent.. like girls can wear black cocktail dress with purple accessories etc… so i was just asking for an opinion if my ideas were okay or not.. i mean does it look like someone just died or something… i hope you can help me… =(
Hi Steph,
Yes you most definitely can have a butterfly release at your grand entrance. This will totally be an awesome sight and would be great for a Butterfly inspired party. This would also create some sort of magic that you are aiming for. Look for suppliers of butterfly release on our suppliers page for quotation on butterfly releases. Hope this helps and happy planning Steph.
Hi Akin,
There is really no best color or theme for a debut. It really depends on how you plan it. A simple pool party can really be memorable if you plan it perfectly. It also depends on the debutante’s personality and usually debutante’s infuse their favorite color. Usually pink is used because girls really are drawn to the color pink. you can combine it with lavender or fuschia for a more dynamic color combination. But if you want a more mature color, combine it with dark brown or some darker shade of pink. You can also have a white and black party or a white party. That will also be cool. Hope this helps and happy birthday.
Hi Gayle,
I think the Around-the-World theme is a great idea. You can name your tables according to countries that you would want to visit in the future. You can gain inspiration from the movie Around the World in 80 days where the fashion is elegant and vintage.
Make your invites like a postcard complete with stamps. The photo on the post card will be your pics in different national costumes.
If you could have a cardboard cutout of the Eiffel Tower in the entrance of your venue or a picture of the Eiffel Tower printed at a tarpaulin for your photo booth, that would really be great. Hope this helps and happy birthday Gayle.
Hi Marie,
In our culture, sometimes wearing black during birthdays and weddings is something that is frowned upon most especially by elders. You should explain to them though that black is not a color of mourning. You want your party to be formal, elegant and classy and a black party will achieve that. The formality of an event can also be achieved by your invites, how you plan your program and decorate your venue, so meticulously plan that as well. Hope this helps and happy birthday.
Thank you very much for your advice… could you also help me on how to decorate the venue that will match my black party? ideas will do.. thank you very much!
Thanks for the suggestion! 🙂 I was wondering though, do you have any idea for the backdrop and where to get one? I was looking at your directory and there are only balloons and draping…is there a company that has backdrops?
And I was planning to have an exhibit outside the venue, b/c I am also an artist. How can I incorporate this with my theme (around the world)? 🙂
Thanks again!
Hi Gayle,
What I can suggest for your backdrop is to pick some nice photos on the internet of hot air balloons or airplanes. You can also have some scenic spots of your favorite countries. Rent out a projector screen and have that played over and over. For a more dynamic backdrop, you can have a video of a hot air balloon in flight. If the stage of your venue already has a white wall, focus the projector on the white wall. If it doesn’t you can buy cheap ironed white cloth. That will serve as your screen. The white screen that usually comes with a rented projector is only 60 x 60 inches or 70 x 70 inches. If that size is okay for you then just use that. Try looking for projector rentals in the net. I forgot to place some in our suppliers page. I found these. You could try calling them. http://mediamonsters.multiply.com. Hope this helps and happy birthday Gayle.
For your backdrop, you can life-size balloon
Hi! 😀 I was wondering if it is possible to have “the time machine” themed party 😀 I don’t really know how to do with the stuff. like the dress, food and other stuff 😀 so yeah.. you would be of so much help. 😀 thanks
hi! kinda nervous… c0z im going to celebrate my debut 2 weeks from now…all things are set…except that i cant just still decide of what is the best theme 2 have! T_T We are going to celebrate it on a resort, a garden with a pool itz like that.. but the pool is not going to be used.. So how would i handle it??? Aside from the one i read, we could put some petals of red roses and floating candles…And also my favorite color is green, but i think its not bagay to the concept that im thinking.. I want the glam style in old hollywood mixed with the masquerade theme…or the masquerade theme alone? Would you mind if youll explain to me further of that masquerade concept? of what should be the style of dressing ( both me and the guest), the decors, color, accessories,,and etc. And ahmmm..pls also suggest a catchy line that fits to that theme?? Lastly, if masquerade theme would be ok, is there any other names that you can suggest for the 18s..
Sorry if i have so many questions…I just cant really think of what am i going to do to solve these problems..Hope you can help me! 🙂
THANK YOU SO MUCH!
HOPING FOR YOUR REPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! THIS WILL REALLY A BIG BIG HELP!
GODBLESS!
hi.. can i ask for a cool motif? my favorite color is yellow
hello! i love your site:) may i ask what possible ideas for an ‘alice and wonderland’ theme (venue, decor, dress,etc)? and may i know what is the standard budget for a debut? thank you:)
hi there
im having my debut on dec
i know it is 8 months away from now
but i wanna plan it as soon as possible
cn u suggest a theme for me??
that’s fun not so formal coz i dont wana wear a ball gown
Hi debutideas. 🙂 I’m planning to have a debut on October. I think it’s too early but I want everything to be perfect. I’m having a Masquerade Winter Wonderland theme and I don’t know yet where is the perfect venue for this theme, the gown, the decorations, the floral designs, the cake, the invitations, the souvenirs almost everything. I know it’s difficult that’s why I’m asking help now. I’m living at Quezon City area. I think my guest will be around 125 people and I have a tight budget, Can you please help me? THANKS! 🙂
hi there im turning 18 on dec. i know it is 9 months away but i want to plan it sooner
para organize lahat 🙂
i want my party to be not that formal kc ayw kung mg wear ng ball gown
what would be the headline if i use the hollywood theme?
and what is the best souvenir for that?
Hi Midnight,
Masquerade balls are called such because these are parties or other festive gatherings of persons wearing masks and other disguises, and often elegant, historical, or fantastic costumes. So in its strictest sense, masquerade balls are really elegant parties with masks and costumes. However nowadays, parties that lets you wear masks alone can pass up as masquerade parties. We have an article about old glam Hollywood that may give you some ideas on how to pull off a Hollywood themed party. Click here. If you want to incorporate it into a masquerade theme, you can ask your guests to imitate a certain Hollywood celebrity example: Marilyn Monroe, Judy Garland, Audrey Hepburn, Madonna, Cher, etc. and then provide for them a mask at the entrance or distribute the masks along with your invites and ask them to bring it to your party. I saw this picture of a black and white party where the guests are wearing white and black masks and I think this could also work for you.
Source: http://blogs.ft.com/
For your 18s, try 18 masks where your 18 roses will remove his mask to reveal his face, place it back and then dance with you. You may try 18 candelabras for your 18 candles where your 18 candles are placed in cute candelabras. You can try also 18 wines for the 18 wishes where your 18 wines will make a speech and make a toast before drinking the wine. And 18 gems, 18 jewels for your 18 treasures. Hope this helps and happy birthday!
Hi! Im Daine Valerio. My friend advised me that I should be starting to plan my party since it’s 6 months away na lang.
Hmm, I’m thinking of a KIDDIE THEME with sort of SPONGEBOB THEME party. My reason? That day will be the last chance I would have to act childish since I am stepping in to womanhood. I also think that it’ll be fun if my guests are wearing child-like clothes. But, I still want to have the 18 roses, 18 candles, etc. In what way do you suggest it to be done? Also, in this theme, what should I wear? NOTE: I don’t want to wear a gown. It’s just too traditional 😀 Is it just fine that I can play any music that I want? I mean the latest RNB hits and likewise, despite my theme? Of course I will also include some spongebob songs. How will I make my invitations?
Thank you so much for the pieces of advice you will give.
Thanks! MUCH MUCH!