Keep calm and plan for prom with our Ultimate Prom Prep Guide. We’re sharing five steps to help you prepare for the night everyone’s been talking about, including who to go with, what to wear, and how to get there—all with timing tips to keep you on track. Read on to see how you can enjoy the planning process with less stress.
When is Prom Season?
Prom occurs between mid-May and late June, depending on the high school. But the prep begins well before that—typically four or more months in advance.
When is Prom Season in New York?
In New York, and on Long Island, in particular, June is the most popular month for prom. Most high schools hold their events after finals but before graduation.
5 Prom Prep Steps for Success
1. Your Date
Deciding who you’ll go to prom with is the first decision to make as you prepare for the big event. Many teens feel pressured to bring a romantic date or crush, and while you can, it’s not the only option. You can go with a friend or a group of friends, and you can even go stag! It’s all about what you want out of your night.
Don’t let the expectations of others pressure you to select a date. Instead, go with the person or people you’ll have the most fun with.
Timing: Make your decision on who you’re attending prom with three to four months ahead of the event. That’ll allow you time to make all the other preparations.
2. The Dress
Shopping for your prom dress is one of the most exciting parts of prom prep. There are hundreds of styles to choose from, so when you’re ready to begin shopping, here are some things to consider.
Matching Your Dress
Prom is all about the photo ops—and matching attire is a traditional touch. Pick your dress first if you want to match your date. Then, your date can match their suit or tux to your gown. If you’re going with your bestie or a friend group, you can coordinate matching looks by picking dresses in a specific color palette, style, or fabric.
Dress Fit
It goes without saying that you’ll want a dress that flatters your figure and highlights your best features. But you should also think about how you’ll spend the evening. If you plan on dancing all night long, an ultra-form fitting dress might not be the best choice. Think about what you’ll want to do in your dress: Are you comfortable walking, dancing, and sitting down?
Dress Style
Dress trends change every year. If you love a trend and it suits you, go for it! If it doesn’t feel like you, it’s okay to pass. Classic styles are classic for a reason—they’re timeless. Simple, sleek gowns with floor-length hems are always elegant. Elements like lace and sleeves can add a contemporary twist.
If your prom has a theme, consider matching your dress style to it. Try a boho-inspired gown for an “Enchanted Forest” theme, beaded details for “Mardi Gras,” or decade-specific stylings for themes like “Old Hollywood” or “Great Gatsby.”
Dress Color
Prom dresses come in every color. If you’re unsure where to start, begin with colors that complement your skin tone, eyes, or hair color. Don’t feel pressured to wear a color because it’s trendy. Go with what makes you feel confident. If it doesn’t, keep looking because you need to feel your best to look your best.
Timing: Start shopping for your dress after you decide who you’re attending with and if you’ll be wearing matching attire. You should buy your dress three months before the prom.
3. Hair
Once you’ve chosen your dress, it’s time to think about your hair. There are so many different ways to style your hair, so it’s helpful to plan early. Pinterest is a great place to research hairstyles that compliment you and your dress.
Popular styles include soft natural curls, side-swept hair, braids, sleek up-dos, and sophisticated ponytails. If you’re not sure what’s best for you, your hairstylist can help you decide, and you can even book a practice session.
Planning to style your own hair? That’s great—just allow plenty of time for practice to perfect the technique.
Timing: Prom season is a busy time for hair and make-up artists. Book your appointments at least three months before prom.
4. Flowers
Corsages and boutonnieres are a time-honored prom tradition. The most popular look is a lapel boutonniere and wrist corsage, but there are many options. One of the latest trends is a ring corsage. As the name implies, this delicate flower arrangement slips over your finger for a chic, swoon-worthy look.
Talk to your local florist about what’s possible. You can add ribbons, jewels, feathers, seashells, and other accessories to personalize your arrangement.
Timing: Order your flowers two months before prom. Wait to order until after you and your date have finalized your attire.
5. Transportation
Deciding how you, your date, and your friends will get to the party is a big deal. Your ride is usually part of your photo op, and it’s where you and your friends will rock out before and after the prom. Stretch limos are the most popular option, but they only accommodate six to eight people. A party bus or limo bus can be a better choice if you’re attending with a large group—and they’re a lot of fun! Bring your favorite playlist, take lots of photos, and enjoy the memories.
Tip: Talk about transportation with your group early, about three to four months ahead of the prom. During prom season, inventory is limited, so plan to book your ride three months out to get the one you want.
What to Look for in a Prom Venue
If you’re on the Prom Planning Committee, you’ll have a lot of important decisions to make in addition to the five steps above. You’ll get to plan the most anticipated high school party from start to finish, selecting the décor, favors, theme, and, most importantly, the venue for it all.
The perfect prom venue should include:
Enough room for your entire class (use last year’s prom attendance numbers as an estimate)
Awesome amenities and features like LED up-lighting and Instagram-worthy views
Teen-friendly menus with mocktails, bite-sized apps, mashed potato bars, and donut walls
Vendor booking services to secure DJs, florists, photobooths, and more
Event planners to help you organize the party
At Crest Hollow Country Club, we have it all. You can kick off prom in style with a poolside cocktail hour–ideal for pictures as classmates arrive. Then, move inside to one of our five venue rooms featuring elegant chandeliers and state-of-the-art, dazzling LED lighting–all with plenty of room for enhancements like photobooths, red-carpet style entryways, donut walls, oversized marquee décor and more.
Crest Hollow Country Club is Long Island’s premier prom venue. Our dedicated event planning team is here to help you plan an event that your friends will be talking about for years to come. We make planning fun and stress-free with an exclusive network of vendors to provide flowers, décor, music, photobooths, and extra touches for an unforgettable night.
Ready to plan the best prom ever? Contact us to learn more and schedule a tour.
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