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 i’ll be having my debut this sept 2010 but i still dont have a theme 😐 i need help please. you see, im kinda leaning on the roaring 20’s vintage like kind of thing simply coz i like the suspenders, pinstripes outfits and all. but i dont know how to go about it from there
Hi Clariz,
We have an article about Alice In Wonderland theme party that you may be interested in. Click here. Hope this helps.
Hi Mheco,
For a masquerade theme party, here are some party favors that I can think of. You can give away earings, bracelets, scented candles, candle holders, cologne, lotion, bath soap, shower gel. These party favors are elegant and would be appropriate for your masquerade theme. You can also have paper mache masks that will also serve as an invite or a thank you card with your thank you message or party info written inside the masks. This will be super affordable because you don’t need to make a separate invite or thank you card as this will double as your invite or thank you card. You can also have a photobooth with a very elegant backdrop for you and your guests to pose on and the picture that will be printed will serve as their souvenir. Hope this helps.
First of all, I want to tell you that I really enjoyed reading your responses to the other debutantes’ questions. They are very helpful and they gave me lots of ideas. 🙂
Anyway, my 18th. birthday is this coming second week of July. I thought of having a debut because I do not want to have any regrets in the future for not having it. I did not realized until today how unprepared I am if I am to have the debut exactly on my 18th birthday. My parents told me that I could just have the debut 4-5 weeks from my birthday so we could have enough time to prepare for it. The other reason for having the debut later is my Mom will be very busy for the next few weeks that she won’t be able to help me prepare if I were to insist on having the debut on my birthday. What do you think? Would it be okay to celebrate a debut 4-6 weeks from my 18th. birthday? What would be the pros and cons of that aside from having more time to prepare? I would really appreciate your reply. Thank you very much. 🙂
Hello..I love your site it really help teens in planning their debut party. Pls help me also not for me but for my sister in law. Her birthday will be on September we had 2 months and a half to prepare…she like her theme to be in formal but at the second part of the party she says she and her friends would change in swim wear because the party will be held on a resort. But I don’t think it matches the party?! and it does not fit the weather since it is a rainy season! Can you help us in the theme…I like it to be simple and beautiful. Her parents are not around because they’re working abroad and her guardians is her lola and her tito and tita. So how would be the arrangement for the program if her parents are not around? And the father and daughter dance who will take the place of her father? She has a brother which is my husband…will her brother take the place of their father or the first dance for the 18 roses?? Thank You!
Hi Cassie,
You may try Bohemian themed debut party. This is especially great for beach and pool parties. It is so practical to don boho (maxi) dresses on top of your bikinis so that when the program ends, you and your guests can just easily slip away from your dress for a swim. Since her father will not be around for her birthday, you can omit the father and daughter dance. This is a special part of the program that only the father and daughter should share so I think nobody can really take the place of the father in this instance. In order to honor her guardians though (her brother, tito) they can be her first or last dance during the 18 roses dance.
Here are some pointers for a Boho inspired debut party. For hairdo:
Source: http://www.misquincemag.com
or just let it flow like this:
Source: http://remotecontrol.mtv.com
For the outfit, you can go for the maxi dresses Boho style:
Source: http://vogueidea.files.wordpress.com
and these:
Source://3.bp.blogspot.com
Ask the guests to wear a Bohoish outfit which is similar to this:
Source: http://www.polyvore.com
or these:
Source: http://3/bp/blogspot.com
For party favors, you could give away bandanas for the male guests and hooped dangling earrings and these lovable Boho headbands for female guests:
Source: http://www.polyvore.com
Hope this helps.
Hi Mushy,
The cost of a debut depends on you actually. It depends on what you want for your party. It also depends on the suppliers that you are going hire. Naturally if you go for expensive suppliers, your debut will be expensive. However, there are budget debuts that some hotels are offering. But, I think it is still going to be cheaper if you plan it ahead of time, scout for the best suppliers within your budget and do some of the labor yourself (party favors, invites, etc). Hope this helps.
hi,,i need a introduction piece,,coz im the one who will be the host of my cousins birthday,,can you give me a help,,for her introduction ,,tnx
Hi Trixie,
It is nice that you know the debutante personally because that will be major advantage in that you can tell some trivia or nice to know things about the debutante for the most part of the program which give your guests more info about the debutante and probably get to know her more through it. For introduction, you can probably talk about some of her achievements, her good qualities, her likes and dislikes, her pet peeves and then talk about her dreams and aspirations. Hope this helps.
can you give a example of a introduction so that i have a idea how i start,.,tnx
hi,.,im celebrating my debut sooner,.,i need a speech that im going to speak after the party,to thanks to all my visitors and guest..for coming,.,can you help me
Hi trixie,
You can pattern your intro here in our sample script. Click here for Debut technical script.
Hi Sxzharr,
Moulin rouge is such a nice theme to have. For your 18s, try 18 can-can dancers for your 18 candles. Your 18 candles will dance the can-can first before making individual speeches. For your 18 roses, try 18 sitar players (or guitar) where you and your partners will dance with songs played by a sitar (guitar) player. You can also have 18 red hearts. 18 red roses, 18 boas, 18 feathers. For 18 treasures, try 18 gems, 18 diamonds or 18 satins. Hope this helps.
hi! could you give suggestions on what color of dress should i wear on my debut? which is a butterfly-themed party. 🙂 thanks in advance.
hi iam goin to an 18 candle party for my friend and i have no clue what to say bc iam one of her 18 girls i need help shes been my best friend but havent seen each other in years and dnt have alot of memories together i need help with a speech please help me
hi
i just want to ask kung ano po ung gngwa sa 18 cheers and 18 balloons. coz i will be having my debut po nxt month. thanks :))
hello
I need help im a emcee on a debut of my cousin kindly help me what will i say to introduce a debutant and some flow of the program thanks
Hi eliza lagasca,
We have a sample debut technical script that might help you. Since you know the debutante, it will be easier for you to inject some trivia in it to make your spiels interesting. Throw in some funny stories about the debutante or even inspirational ones like the debutantes dreams or goals. Hope this helps.
we will be having our dinner party on october . it is an arabian inspired theme . can you suggest ideas for the setup and the costumes .. can you also give a flow of a programme for a dinner party? thank you :]
Hi debut ideas! I’m quite having a hard time to plan my 18th birthday next summer. although, it’s still far, my mom insists to plan for it already. she told me to take care of the invitations but I really don’t know how to start it.. I am a great fan of Taylor Swift and I kinda like to have some Taylor Swift touch.. 🙂 Can you please give me ideas on how to put a Taylor Swift touch on the invitation and the program proper? Thanks a lot. 🙂
What are other terms for 18 candles in a hollywood themed debut? 🙂
Hi Celine J,
For 18 candles, try 18 Awards or 18 Statues (Grammy or Oscar or Emmy) for your 18 candles (where each will make a speech on why this award was given to you, etc). Try also 18 Clappers where they would say “Lights, camera, action” before they make a speech. You can also have 18 movies where your 18s will pick a movie that best describes you. You can also have 18 spotlights where the stage is dimly lit and then your 18s will be on the spotlight at the center of the stage where they will make a speech. Hope this helps Celine and happy birthday.
Hi Gina,
You can choose to talk about the following:
– Gratitude to parents
– Gratitude to guests
– Gratitude to friends for always being there
– Now that you’re 18, you promise to be…
– Share the most significant events during your first 18 years on earth
– Share your dreams and your plans for the future
– Share the most significant blessings you have received / Share why you feel so blessed
Now that you are 18 years old, people may have expectations from you, such as becoming more mature with your decisions. You can talk to your guests about any important event or announcement that you may want to share. Of course do not forget to thank your guests for coming and your family and friends for always being supportive.
Hope this helps! 🙂
Hello, can you give me an idea for the layout of invitaions for a grecian inspired party? Thank u!
Hi! My debut theme is Hollywood. I am wondering what could be the best step in making the entrance really GRANDE as I go down the stairs while everyone avenges the startling moment. I want to take your advice on how to make every moment not just breathtaking but memorable as well. Thank you.. your advices are highly appreciated in advance. =)