How to Have a Prom for Adults

When you think of prom, you think of excited teenagers showing off their dancing skills in their stunning formal wear. Prom doesn't have to be just for teens. Many teens miss out on their prom for various reasons. Not to mention, adults love to dance and dress up as much as any teenage. To let adults in on the fun, throw a prom specifically for adults.

~Find a Location

The location is the hardest part of the process. The best place to start is your local community recreation center. The building can normally be rented out for community events and offers plenty of room for food, dancing, and socializing. If the community center isn't large or elegant enough for a prom, call your local country club.

Country clubs rent out sections or the entire club for special events such as dances and company retirement dinners. Country clubs are much nicer than community centers, but will cost you a lot more to rent. However, many country clubs will provide you with a package deal that includes catering and a clean up crew.

To save money, have your prom at your home or in a large backyard. If your home or yard doesn't work, ask a friend or family member if you can use theirs. The only cost is time to setup and clean up after.

Determine how much it will cost to rent your location. Ask for exact prices per hour and per night. Sometimes the hourly rate is cheaper, depending how long your prom will be. Also ask about tables and chairs. These may or may not be included in the price already. Get exact details on when you can setup, how long you can stay, where to discard trash, and what needs to be cleaned up when you're finished. Know every detail about your location and their rules before renting.

~Set a Date and Time

Since many places are booked for high school proms in April and May, set your date either before or after these months. Check with high schools in your area for exact dates of their proms. The date should be a Saturday night to prevent conflicts with most work schedules.

Consider the age range for your prom. If the prom is for younger adults, the time can be later. For older adults, the time should be earlier. For instance, 20-40 year olds may prefer an 8 p.m. to midnight prom, while 60-80 year olds may prefer a 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. prom.

~Finding Music

Hire a local DJ to play at your prom. The DJ should have a wide variety of music for all age groups at your prom. A DJ will cost less than a live band and put the focus more on dancing and socializing than on the music. You can find a DJ through local music stores, phone books, and the internet.

Hire a band. Find a band that plays a variety of styles. Cover bands, wedding singers, and instrumental groups are perfect for adult proms. They can play most genres and appeal to all age groups.

~Catering

The final aspect of a prom for adults is the snack table. Since the prom is for adults, alcohol may be served. However, you can have a dry adult prom as well. Snacks should cater to more adult tastes. For instance, a high school prom may have small cakes, chips, and cookies. An adult prom should have finger sandwiches, cakes, fruit, and cheeses.

The easiest way to ensure the perfect adult prom snack table is to hire a caterer. A caterer will be able to handle the setup and clean up of the food. All you have to do is pay them and let them do all the work.

Prom isn't just for high school teens. Adults should have a reason to get together with friends and dance the night away without going to their local club. Whether adults want to bring back the memories from your high school prom or experience prom for the first time, a prom specifically catered to adults is the perfect way to accomplish either.