Tie a Bow on It

As promised, in this episode we will discuss the all important component of prom planning, decorations! In my opinion, this is the fun part. You can be as subtle or over-the-top as you (and your budget) can handle, but no matter what you do, this is what will set the mood, drive home your theme and really get people into the spirit of the party.

• Lighting - This is going to be the most important element of your decor. Use color, shapes and different light sizes to create a mood. Doing a Spicy Salsa theme? Use reds to crank up the excitement. Is your prom going to be a Midsummer Night's Dream? Blues and purples will create an ethereal landscape. Raid the drama department and set up spotlights with different colored gels (colored sheets of plastic that change the tone of the lights) and gobos (flat sheets of metal cut into different shapes) to create the backdrop for your event. Also, spend the majority of your decor budget on lighting and anything that you buy this year can most likely be saved for next year.
  

http://www.luminousld.com - Farmingdale, NY - Professional Lighting Design

• Backdrops, cut-outs, build-outs - If you're trying to drive home a specific theme or cover up a less-than-pretty space (ahem... ugly gym), you may want to include some larger-than-life "set pieces" that will draw the eye away from, say, a basketball hoop. While there are companies from whom you can buy this stuff pre-made, you will cut down dramatically on cost, cheeseball factor and generic-prom-itis by getting a group of volunteers together to make this type of stuff yourself. Using a little bit of time, creativity and local talent, create an Arabian sunset, a lush tropical garden or the Hollywood hills.

• Details, centerpieces & accesories - Use the little things to pull it all together. People will need somewhere to sit, so why not toss colorful, flowery lais on the table for a luau theme? Having a star-studded event? Then include a red carpet. Or, get a group of freshman and sophomores to be paparazzi by taking pictures of and interviewing the superstar couples. If you're offering favors, make them match your theme. Display a brightly colored candy bar for a Willy Wonka Wonderland or create a centerpiece of stacked vases with real or silk flowers (maybe toss in some key chains or money clips for the guys) for a Secret Garden theme.

www.partyspot.com - Party Planning by The Knot

As always, have fun, be creative, go wild. The only things that I would advise against are balloons and streamers. They're bad for the environment, can't be reused and scream 5-year-old birthday party!! You don't want someone to show up to the prom and immediately wonder where the clown is. Either way, two heads are better than one... feel free to write me with all of your trickiest decorating conundrums.