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.
Hello Debut Ideas!
My debut party is on March 5, 2010. And its gonna be a fashion night party. I have 18 catwalks. But i dont know what to do in catwalks.. blahh blahh. any ideas about 18 catwalk? Thanks so much!
can you please help me? 🙁
Im celebrating my debut 2 weeks from now.. and I’m planning of a Hollywood party… but I’m having a hard time for the attire of the guests, games, and also the decorations because the function room is kinda big. Thank you 🙂
hello!I’m celebrating my debut on feb 12,2011,,can you please give me an example for a welcome speech which my parents will speak for it?thanks!
Hi Jennica,
As much as I want to make a speech for your parents, I think they know you better and a speech that is more personal and heartfelt is the best speech ever. So probably an outline of how to create a speech would be what i can give. First off, they will introduce themselves. Probably a history of how your were born, was it a very painful birth or something like that. Then growing up how are you as a child. Your childhood memories, good memories when you are growing up, your talents, your accomplishments, etc. Were you different from any other child, your peculiarities, your good traits. Then your parents’ dreams and wishes for you. Hope this helps.
Hi Chesca,
We have some games that you may want to look into. Games. For a Hollywood theme, I believe this theme is all about glitz and glamour, so ask your guests to dress to impress… be in their best attire.. be glamorous and elegant. For the venue, you may hang posters of your favorite movies or movie stars just so your guests are drawn to those posters and not the big empty function room. Hanging drapes at the ceiling will also be a good idea. hope this helps.
Hi April,
Taylor Swift is famous for her music as well as her music videos. Every MTV is different so what I would suggest is you choose from among those MTVs where you will get inspiration from. An example would be the MTV Love Story depicting Taylor Swift as a priincess, a Romeo and Juliet story. Hope this helps.
hi, I’m going to celebrate my debut on march 19,2011 can you please give me some ideas for the games i’m having hard time thinking what games to play for my friends??
Hi Vie,
Hope this link could help! http://debutideas.com/?page_id=851
Happy planning! 🙂
hi
i’m planning a debut party for my sister the problem is our budget is just 20,000.00 only. we want it to be simple and presentable. how can i prepare a debut for my sister?
Hi Nhessa,
Since you have a budget, you might want to take advantage of the budget planner that we have in our site in order to keep track of your expenses. Think of what item you really want to splurge in and then go from there. You can DIY invites according to her theme so that you will only need to buy supplies such as paper, ribbons (or whatever supplies you will need to decorate the invite) and ink for the printer. Ask a friend or relative who has a decent camera to document the event. It is highly likely that one of your relatives or friends will have a DSLR camera which takes beautiful pictures. You and your sister will deal with the developing and scrapbooking later. For the venue, you will save immensely if you do it in your home or garden. You will save so much since you don’t need to rent out a venue. Buy some cheap fabric (drapes) to decorate the venue and create a clean wall. Ask the help of a tita to cook one recipe and then another friend to cook another etc. This will save you tons of money as caterers really take up most of the budget. The rest of your budget will be set now for her outfit (gown) and giveaways… and oh.. having a theme will help as well because you are focused on a certain design style so your decorations and giveaways and table setup are not all over the place and will look like it was done by a professional. hope this helps.
Hi Anj,
Hope this reply still helps. Watch some videos in youtube about runway shows. The Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York is particularly interesting because they have very nice stage designs that you can copy. You and your friends can watch how the models walk and just do that for your minifashion show. You can make your stage into a runway or place a red carpet at the center for you and your friends to walk on. Happy birthday Anj.
hi. i was planning to have a party this october and i have no idea of what to wear, give he hairdo, the programmes and all that stuff. but can you me a BIG advice for this and tips of course. that would be great. THANK YOU 🙂
Hi Aejay,
First of all, to make it easy for you to decide on things, you need to have a theme for your party. Do you want a beach themed party or just the classic formal ala “awards night” debut celebration? If you can choose your theme as early as now, you will be able to choose your suppliers carefully. The type of hairdo, the makeup, programme, invitations, etc. will all follow as soon as you find out what you really want and how you want your party to make your guests feel. From hereon, we can give you any specific advice as long as you have decided on this matter.
Good luck and advanced happy birthday!
WE ARE PLANNING DEBUT PARTY FOR OUR NIECE CAN YOU SUGGEST AN AFFORDABLE VENUE + PACKAGES (WORRY-FREE) NEAR PARANAQUE CITY (PHILS) …APPROX 100 GUESTS..THANK YOU SO MUCH..I WILL APPRECIATE IT MUCH IF YOU WILL SEND ME IN MY MAIL..GOD BLESS..
oh, by the way..the celebration would be on JUNE 3rd..thanks..
Hi! I just want to ask how to sequence my 18’s? I have 18 flowers, 18 candles, 18 thousands, 18 treasures and 18 toasts. Thanks for your help! 🙂
Hi Kim,
Traditionally, it will be the 18 flowers first followed by the candles, the treasures then the toast. However, if you want to do something a little bit more different you mix things up a bit. Since the candle, treasure and toast are essential speeches from closed friends and relatives, it may be too much for your guests if you have them right after the other. It might be a good idea to interject games, numbers, etc in between just to break the ice or the monotony. You can also interchange the sequencing of your 18s. This is your night! You can do whatever you want! Hope this helps.
Hi Cris,
There are several great venues in and around Parañaque to hold an event. You can check out our listing of venues to help you along the way. If you are looking for a package set-up, you may opt to choose a restaurant that offers party venues or function rooms. On the other hand, if you don’t want a restaurant set-up, you can always pick a location who specifically rent out their space for parties or events. Most of these venues have preferred vendors or caterers so you won’t have to worry about looking for one. It might be a good idea, though, to ask these venues if they allow an outsider or vendor not on their list to caterer for you, if you already have a caterer in mind. Hope this helps!
Can you give an example of script to introduce 18 toasts, 18 thousands and 18 treasures??
Thank you for your help. 🙂
hello .have a great day! i need your piece of advice about my 18th birthday , this coming april 25, 2011 .. whats the best theme or dress code in my birthday? please reply! thank you! more power and Godbless :))
Ola April!
Advance happy birthday! 🙂 The best theme or dress code for your birthday is something that is close to your personality or something that you are comfortable with. If you are the type of girl who likes to dress-up then go ahead and choose a glamorous theme party! If you are more of a chill-type of girl who just likes to kick her shoes and have fun then select a theme that will reflect that. Choosing a theme for your debut (or any party for that matter) will depend on what you think is comfortable and right for you. You can also check out some this list of themes to give you some ideas on your big day. Happy planning!
hi! i’m going to celebrate my 18th birthday on August. And i want to have a debut that will only cost less. Any suggestion for a theme? i just want a simple party. THANKS! 🙂
Hi! . My daughter is having a debut ! Exciting…. She plans to have the 18 roses and candles. Also , a dance number maybe 1 traditional like waltz and 1 modernmaybe hiphop. However she can only find 12 people (including herself & escort) . I’ve read it should be 18 pairs. Can it be done this way or it is awkward ? What do you think.
Hi Nette,
Traditionally, the dance or the Grand Cottillion Dance for the debut is for 18 people – 9 females and 9 males – paired off, and is not for 18 pairs. However, if she still wants to have 18 couples she can still do so. Her “court”, as what is called of these pairs, is not exclusively for her close friends. She can choose to have cousins or nieces and nephews (who are old enough) in the list. Hope this helps!
Hi Charmine,
Any theme you choose will not be a problem even if you have a budget. The key is to be creative and imaginative. You can hold the party in your own house and spruce up the place to go with your theme. You do not even have to hire a caterer for food and drinks! Just have family and friends contribute a menu for you, as a gift, of course! 😉
A simple white party is an excellent, fun and inexpensive theme. Decorate your venue with all white. Use tea light candles or floating candles as centerpieces. Combine a white floral arrangement with the candles and you have an elegant centerpiece for your table. You can use inexpensive white flowers like baby’s breath or aster. Put in a few sprigs of green leaves and it will look fabulous!
Drape white cloth over the ceiling to give an elegant look. Candles can also be lit around your venue for ambience. This is particularly pretty if your party will be held at night. A couple of huge mirror balls would also look great on your venue.
Your invitations do not have to be too expensive either. It can be quite simple with a beautiful border.
Or you can have one that is more elegant and intricate
This is just one idea and you can carry these suggestions on any different color you choose. You may want to have a Green Party or a Pink one – the choice is up to you. Happy planning!