Prom is the highlight of the school year, especially for seniors bidding farewell to high school and getting ready to step out into the world. It’s a night when memories are made, so you want to make it as special as possible. This prom planning checklist will help you remember everything you need to plan for, from choosing prom decorations and party favors to deciding on prom theme ideas.

 Recruit a Planning Committee

As early as possible, recruit the student body for volunteers willing to serve on the planning committee. A successful prom is a team effort--and an opportunity to teach students how to organize and plan for an event. Break your team down into sub committees responsible for specific aspects of prom planning, including:

• Budget
• Fundraising
• Logistics
• Catering
• Entertainment
• Tickets and invitations
• Prom themes
• Decorations and party favors

Save the Date

Try to schedule prom on a date that doesn’t conflict with other school’s proms, so you don't find yourself competing for venues, entertainment, and caterers. Planning early helps your committee secure the services they need for the big day.

 Choose a Location

Where will you hold prom? While many schools use the school gym or auditorium, there’s plenty of off-campus possibilities. Ballrooms, convention centers, hotels, fancy restaurants, local halls, and even riverboats make excellent prom locations.

 Choose a Theme

Choosing prom theme ideas is a huge part of the planning process and one which should be decided on early. The prom’s theme influences everything from venue and menu choices to music, decorations, and even prom party favors.

Brainstorm out several prom theme ideas and have your committee vote on the most popular theme. Possible prom theme ideas include:

• Cruise ship
• Venetian Nights
• Romantic Gardens
• Starry Night
• Island Getaway
• Masquerade Ball
• Hollywood
• Carnival
• Midnight in Paris
• Fairy Tales
• Casino

Planning the Menu

A prom menu will be heavily influenced by the event’s theme. Do you want a sit-down dinner, a buffet, or multiple hors d'oeuvres? No matter how you decide to feed guests, choose from popular food and add as much variety as your meal budget allows.

 Choose a Song

Get the entire senior class involved in choosing the prom song. Choose five popular songs and ask seniors to vote for their favorite. Sometimes the song the students pick determines the prom theme, while other times the theme influences song choices.

 Choose Invitations

A prom invitation has great sentimental value, and is likely to find its way into scrapbooks, photo albums, and memory boxes. Choose an invitation that matches your prom theme, and include the location, time, and date.

 DJ or Band?

Time for some heated debates! Choosing between a DJ and live band can be a divisive decision. If you opt for a live band, ask the band which popular songs they cover and listen to their demo album. If you choose a DJ, be sure he or she plays a good mix of current music and dance classics.