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 give me unique tokens for a “enchanted” debut. Thanks
Hi Maron,
It seems that time travel is your thing. The thing to do I guess is to choose which time period you would like to showcase and then capitalize on that. For instance, if you would like to return to the 1950s, the era of the petticoats, showcase 1950s fashion in your party. If you are into the flower power, era of the psychedelics, ala Austin Powers, make your decorations colorful. How about old Hollywood glamour, that would be really cool too. Hope this helps. Happy Birthday.
Hi Debut Ideas,
I will be celebrating my 18th birthday in November. I just wanna ask what theme suits well on the kind of debut I am planning for. My debut would probably be a “birthday concert” but the kind of songs I’ll be singing are the like of Don’t rain on my parade and New york, new york. So those are not the typical pop music. I’d like to fit what I am gonna sing to the theme of my debut. Also, most probably, I am gonna have additional 18 thousands and songs to the typical 18’s. What words could substitute those that go with the theme? I am thinking old hollywood would be a better choice or movie-ish or masquerade party. Do you have more themes to suggest that may suit well to my party? And oh, may an aphrodite-grecian party be incorporated with it?
Thanks a lot! 🙂
Hi Kay,
Tim Burton’s Alice In Wonderland is one theme that is going to be great. Tim Burton has a certain style that he exudes when he does his movies, the unique appearance of his characters, the stage decors, etc, and so you may want to show that in your decors, souvenirs, invites and dress. For the venue, a garden would be most appropriate. Design your stage with oversized flowers and foliage (click here for picture).
Create your own Mad Hatter Tea Party. Your guests should come in styled hats like the ones that the Mad Hatter made for the Queen. For your dress, be inspired with these beautiful blue gowns that we have on our facebook account. Hope this helps and happy birthday.
Hi Ghed,
A Masquerade Winter Wonderland would work best in an indoor venue, especially in the month of October where it usually rains. You want to be on the safe side. I think your theme is great. You can have a white party in keeping with a Winter Wonderland theme. Create a white stage with silver and white paper cutout snowflakes, white drapes, pseudosnow, white branches, etc. For your gown, wear something in sliver, white or turquoise for an ice princess look.
source: http://www.rossetti.vispa.com
Here are some other gown inspiration that you may use for a Winter theme. Create a color combination of silver and white or turquoise or aquamarine with these different styles.
Source: greenweddingshoes.blogspot.com
A Masquerade party will not be complete without masks, so give away masks along with your invites to let your guests know what theme you have and ask them to bring it to your party, or ask an usher to distribute them at the entrance of your venue and this will double as your party favor. Hope this helps and happy birthday.
Hi Kayce,
It is better to plan ahead of time so that you are able to attend to every detail of your party and book the suppliers that you like. For the headline, you can go for “Kayce Goes Hollywood” with a sort of tabloid effect
source: http://www.popandroll.com
“Glitz and Glamour on Kayce’s 18th” , “All that Glitters, Kayce at 18.” “Tinseltown Celebrates Kayce’s 18th” “A Box-office Celebration Starring Kayce.”
For souvenirs, you can have star-shaped chocolates or cookies with your name on it that will resemble the star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame. You can also have a photobooth with props of director’s chair, megaphone, clapper, etc. Hope this helps and happy birthday.
hai my debut will cblbrt ds comng nov 8 pls help m to plan 4 my program and tema tnx..
Hi Jaycie,
I think your choice of songs are those found on plays on Broadway, so I’m thinking of a Broadway theme. You can either showcase just one play, for instance “Phantom of the Opera” and incorporate a Masquerade theme to it or you can have all plays you like by making each table a different Broadway musical, for instance, putting playbills of each play to each table centerpiece.
For your 18 roses, try 18 diamonds and you and your 18 roses will dance to the tune of Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend from the play “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” where you will change partner for every stanza of the song. You can also have 18 Broadway songs and dance to that. How about 18 masks where your 18 roses will first reveal who they are by removing their masks as they are being introduced and then dance with you. For your 18 candles, try 18 Tony awards where each candle will describe why they gave you an award, for instance “Tony Award for Being a True Friend” etc. You can pick a song among Broadway plays that you and your friends can dance to and that will substitute for a cotillion. Hope this helps and happy planning.
Hello Debut Ideas! 🙂
I’m having a debut NEXT MONTH, and yeah, I know that it’s a bit late for me to plan. I hope that with your great ideas, I would be able to make my debut plans smoothly.
I want to have this main theme of my debut. Is “Ria’s Colorful Summers” okay? Guests would only wear something casual but they should wear something bright and summer-ish.
I won’t be having the traditional 18’s, but what I want to have are 18 gifts for the girls and 18 toasts for the guys. What other substitutions for “gifts” and “toasts” can I use would be appropriate for my theme?
What other suggestions could you give? 🙂
Thanks, and more power to your site. 🙂
Hi Ria,
For a summer theme, think of bright and lively colors. Turquoise would be a good color, aquamarine too would be spectacular for a summer theme. Actually any color would do as long as it’s bright and lively. You can have beach flags of varying colors surround your venue as well as your stage so that guests would have a feel of what your theme is all about. You can have fishbowls filled with sand water and floating candles instead of flowers. You could also have tiki torches lighted near your stage and use this for your grand entrance. That will be totally cool. We have articles on summer/beach/tropical themes that you may want to read on. They are similar to a summer theme in a lot of ways. Beach/Tropical theme
Here are some examples of substitutes for your 18s
You can substitute 18 toasts with 18 Summer Serenades where each will share a toast and then dance with you or have a speech. For your 18 gifts, you can have 18 Treasure Chests, 18 Jewels or 18 Gems. You can also have 18 Seashells where inside the seashells are wishes written on paper for the 18 treasures to read. For 18 gifts, you can also try 18 Cocktails where your 18s will make a speech, give a toast and then give you the gift. Hope this helps and happy birthday Ria
Hi Apple Joy!
You can visit this Link and see the various themes and ideas we have come up with. It really depends on your personality and budget. If none of these themes appeal to you, think of something that fits your personality and we’ll see if we can answer any question about that particular idea.
For the debut program and technical script visit these links:
Debut Program and Flow
Debut Script
Good day and happy planning! 🙂
Jam and Lizette
hi debut ideas .gud day..id like to thank you first for helping a lot of people like me in giving advices for free..a lot of luck to come and more power.im celebrating my debut this coming july 3, 2010 my venue is in a simple house with a pool on the side pls help me to choose a right theme for my debut and the right color..since it is a rainy day season..i hope you can help me with this..hope to hear frm you..thank you debutideas..god bless
Hi there. I am celebrating my debut on July. At first, I was planning to have a Breakfast-at-Tiffany’s-Inspired Black and Whte Party but my guests aren’t familiar with that so I changed it to just a vintage black and white party. Now, I am really having a hard time picking the right debut gown/ dress for me. One’s certain, it will be color red. Can you please suggest dresses/ gowns appropriate to that vintage theme? @.@ Thank You! 🙂
hi debutideas. I’m preparing a debut for my cousin she will be having a debut on december and her theme was Nature Elegance. Her colors are pale green, brown and white. Any ideas on this theme? can u please suggest anything that will be kris@18: ._________
and any words that will i put on my invitation?.However, I’m having a difficulty on thinking of ideas to incorporate the theme into the party itself.
hi,
can you give me some ideas about my debut?
Im going to celebrate my debut this july..
until now i dont have any idea on what to do on my debut,.
can you please help..tnx alot.:)
My debut party will be held next year. But I was thinking of ideas already.
As for the theme, is it okay if the theme is valentine? Because most of the background music that I want to play on the party are love songs and some pop love songs (like one less lonely girl…hot and cold….fight for this love….etc.)
As for the 18 candles, can i substitute it to 18 sticky notes, and these will be placed in a box made of recycled materials?
Thanks. Hope to hear from you soon!
Hi Dianne,
First of all, you may want to have a theme. Themes make a debut party interesting and easy to plan because you are focused on just one idea. Think of a theme that will let your personality standout. Something that you like, love, passionate about. This will make your debut party totally unique. Do you want a dancing party, a formal party, a costumey party, a pool party? We have lots to choose from so do read on and let us know what you come up with. Happy planning Dianne.
hi debutideas. I’m preparing a debut for my cousin she will be having a debut on december and her theme wa s A Midsummer Night’s Drema. What colors do you think ? Any ideas on this theme? can u please suggest anything that will be kris@18: ._________
and any words that will i put on my invitation? I want to change the traditional 18 to go with it the theme .However, I’m having a difficulty on thinking of ideas to incorporate the theme into the party itself.
Hi, Im thinking of a dance party or a pool party..
Im now searching for some private resorts that will suite my budget for a pool party. unfortunately
my parents didnt know if we can afford a party like that because of the budget and we can only accomodate few people.
so for now, i’m planning to have a dance party. can you suggest how is the flow of program? what do i need for that kind of theme..
thanks for entertaining and giving ideas.:)
hey there! 🙂 i’d like to ask for your help, im having my 18th birthday this coming july3. my theme is twilight-inspired. and i wanted it to be really simple yet very memorable. i want an alternative instead of using real roses and real candles? and about the invitations? can you help me? PLEASE! 🙂
hi, i’m celebrating my debut this august. do you have check list for what i need in my debut?
hello, i am having a hard time choosing a theme for my debut on october. i am thinking of an asian or oriental type of party but i cant find a gown that will fit on that kind of theme. i love flowers and pink and gray colors, can you please suggest themes for my party? and also can you give me some ideas on how to make my party unique from other debut parties? thank you very much and more power!
HI! I really found this site helpful, i’m panicking now actually. I would like my debut simple, but fun at the same time! It’s the first for my family so everyone is just giving their own ideas! i think i’m more worried about the performances and the decoration, and the dresses are, well, heh ^___^ I already told everyone that my fave colour blue will be the dominant color and white, your idea for theme now is making me self-conscious . . . i don’t want the party to look plain . . . 🙁 I want everyone to have fun!!! 🙂
thanks for the ideas! now i have more choices to pick from!
oh! n the debut is on winter -___- how to make that better?? i love winter though
hi! can you help me? im having a hard time looking for a cheap but elegant venue in manila that would fit for my Hollywood theme debut . 100-150 guest. pls. help me. and also caterers. thank you!
im also having a hard time looking for Hollywood backdrops, decorations or designs for the venue. pls. help me.