Prom is a night to remember, and the prom themes that accompany this night will stay with you for years to come. You are responsible for choosing the prom theme if you are on the prom committee. From the invitations to the decorations, everything should match your class’s vision and make everyone feel special.
Classic Prom Themes
It is easy to arrange these popular prom themes and they are perennial favorites. While they may not be as specialized as specialized themes, they can be easily customized to fit the needs of a particular school.
Fairy Tales
Choose your favorite fairy tale and dress up as your favorite couple in a fairy tale-themed wedding.
- Include castle walls, climbing vines, and maybe even a carriage backdrop in the decorations to make it look like it’s straight from a storybook.
- You can create the appearance of a fairy tale forest by using shimmery pinks, purples, and forest greens in your decor.
- While the menu is flexible, you can have fun naming the dishes like Far Away Steak and Shrek Fries.
- If you want to go as a group, encourage people to wear costumes like the seven dwarves and three little pigs.
You can turn your prom into a fairy tale with Anderson’s Today was a Fairytale theme, which includes balloon trees, enchanted lanterns, and a lighted castle.
Famous Couples
Each couple can express themselves creatively in both their costumes and who they represent. Shakespearean outfits are worn by Romeo and Juliet, while retro outfits are worn by Sonny and Cher.
- Red roses, hearts, and soft lighting can be used as decorations to emphasize romance in general.
- Make a “pairing” of two main dishes that go well together, such as pasta and chicken or steak and seafood.
- Immediately following the announcement of the prom king and queen, have a contest to find the best famous couple. The costumes of Toynk’s couple may inspire students to dress up for prom.
Red Carpet
Celebrities and Hollywood themes transform students into stars for an evening of glitz and glamour. Make sure students are surrounded by Hollywood glitz and glamour in addition to walking a red carpet.
- Give it a Hollywood feel by adding spotlights, velvet ropes, and paparazzi.
- Choose fancy appetizers like shrimp cocktail and non-alcoholic cocktails or sparkling cider.
- Dress in red carpet worthy dresses and tuxedos like many stars and wear sunglasses.
You can help students feel like celebrities with PromNite’s Hollywood theme, which comes complete with red carpets, velvet ropes, and everything else they need.
Starry Night
Proms with a celestial theme are perennial favorites. With Stumps’ Starry Night Theme Kit, you can bring a touch of Van Gogh’s famous painting of the same name or use some of these ideas:
- Keep the room dark with black or navy blue tablecloths, drapes, and low lights. Make the room look like a starry night by adding strings of white lights.
- Glow-in-the-dark stars, planetary bodies, and anything glittery can bring the galaxy to the prom.
- You can serve mini sandwiches shaped like stars or cheese from the moon or other foods related to stars and planets.
Romantic Prom Theme Ideas
As a formal event geared toward couples, prom night is inherently romantic; therefore, lovers’ themes are always popular.
Shakespearean Romance
Use one of the most classic love stories, Romeo and Juliet, as the inspiration for your prom.
- Recreate the ball in Romeo and Juliet by providing masks for those attending the prom.
- Serve classic dishes from the Renaissance such as beef roast, meat pies, salads, olives and cheeses.
- Include a balcony for couples to pose on or for recreating the iconic balcony scene from the play.
- Decorate with deep reds, purples and gold and heavy velvet fabrics.
Parisian Romance
For romantic prom themes, the City of Love is always a popular choice. Your prom can include other elements of French culture besides the Eiffel Tower model.
- Our menu includes banguettes, cheese, fresh crepes, and light pastries that are typical of traditional French cuisine
- Accent your celebration with lanterns, white lights, and streetlights to emphasize the city of lights theme.
- Create other French-inspired scenes, such as park benches and fountains, from kits such as Anderson’s Paris by Moonlight Theme or your school’s drama department.
Classic Romance
Because proms are formal events and many couples attend, romantic themes are always popular. “A Night to Remember,” “From This Moment,” and “Forever Tonight” are among the most popular titles.
- Tablecloths, curtains, and chairs should all be decorated with deep red and gold accents. Soft lights and hearts are also a good idea.
- Each table should be decorated with red roses, and attendees should eat by candlelight.
- Choose romantic foods such as chocolate, grapes, oysters, or dishes with romantic names.
Quirky Prom Themes
An exciting prom theme can be one that is fun and outrageous. Colors and decorations are generally brighter and more elaborate.
Casino Royale
The casino night theme offers more entertainment than just dancing, which makes it an exciting night.
- Traditional red, black, and white decorations and cardboard playing card cutouts from Oriental Trading can be used to decorate the room.
- Classic casino games such as blackjack and roulette should be included.
- As soon as students enter the room, give them a set amount of chips to play with.
Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras is a livelier prom theme that is especially popular.
- Glittering beads and outrageous masks are worn by students.
- Purple, green, and gold are the traditional colors to use.
- New Orleans favorites such as gumbo, po’ boys, and other Creole and Cajun foods are available.
With Shindigz Mardi Gras supplies and decorations, students will be able to step foot on New Orleans streets with masks, beads, and cardboard cutouts of jokers and dragons.
Color Prom Themes
It is possible to decorate your home in an elegant and sophisticated way using a simple color scheme. It is always appropriate to have a Black and Bling Ball or a school color theme, but be sure to select neutral colors that will work well for both genders – guys may not want to attend a prom with pink colors.
- Encourage guests to wear the theme’s color. Guys could wear a traditional tuxedo with a vest or tie in the same color.
- Lights in that color can be used to cast a glow over white decorations decorated in different shades of the theme.
- Foods should be dyed according to the given theme.
Geographic Prom Themes
The prom is the perfect time to get away from school for a night, and prom themes using exotic geography are unique choices. Paris, New York City, and Venice are popular romantic themes, but more unusual choices could include Egypt, Shanghai, Las Vegas, a tropical island, London, or Africa.
Vegas
Gambling is a popular pastime among your students? Your school gym can be transformed into a casino. Assemble a dance floor in the middle.
- You can stick to a formal prom dress code in Vegas, since it is known for its glitz.
- You can find entertainment in the form of an Elvis impersonator or a glitzy magician. It is possible for some students to recreate an act from the Vegas strip.
- Enjoy your menu. Vegas is known for its all-you-can-eat buffets, but you should also bring fancy appetizers and desserts dusted with edible gold leaf.
Tropical Paradise
Proms can incorporate tropical themes such as luaus, jungles, or specific destinations like Jamaica and Hawaii to inject festive fun.
- The room should be filled with bright blooms and floral leis.
- Add sand to the room and bring beach chairs for guests to lounge on.
- Food items such as coconut, pineapple, and mango are served along with colorful punch.
Taste of Italy
The romantic atmosphere of an Italian prom can be enhanced by classic architecture, gondolas, and good food.
- The walls should be decorated with Roman columns, ivy, and Italian artwork.
- Pasta, cheeses, and grapes are some of the Italian foods you can serve.
- Create a romantic bridge over an Italian canal or a fake gondola for photo ops.
Retro Prom Themes
Retro or vintage themes can be fun and nostalgic for students, as well as for teachers who have seen many proms come and go. The 1950s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s are popular decades for retro prom themes. Even more realism can be added to the event with retro-themed decorations and top 40 hits from the era.
Choose any decade that sounds fun! A Sock Hop theme would be appropriate if you choose the 1950s. A disco from the 1970s is one of the best. Consider hiring break dancers to show you how it’s done if you are doing the 1980s.
- Ensure the DJ has a good selection of music from that decade. He can play a mix of modern songs, but at least half of the songs should be from that time period.
- You can research each decade online to find out which one your students will have the most fun dressing up for. Hairstyles, jewelry, and clothing styles are all important to consider.
- Find out what foods were popular. Offer milkshakes and hamburgers, for example, if you are doing the ’50s.
Personalizing Your Prom Theme
Even though popular prom themes are easy to choose and coordinate, they should also be personalized to ensure that each prom is unique and memorable. A specialized prom theme can form lasting memories for every guest when prom organizers follow these tips.
- Make sure that the theme hasn’t been repeated in the past five years of yearbooks. Your prom won’t seem as special if your older brother or sister had the same theme.
- Don’t go overboard with crazy patterns or repeated imagery when it comes to decorations, including wall décor, table centerpieces, and photo backdrops. Keep the theme subtle and easy by using coordinating solid colors.
- You should make the theme as unique as possible to the class it honors (usually the junior or senior class). Decorate with student names, display pictures from the year’s events, and choose favors that reflect the class year.
- The best way to turn a popular theme into a unique one is to start planning it early.
Choosing a Prom Theme
Planning committees, class officers, and other individuals must take several factors into consideration when choosing a prom theme. Choose an appropriate theme by asking the following questions.
- Does the prom venue have enough space for dancing, seating, decorations, photo areas, and other essentials?
- What are the restrictions on how prom decorations can be arranged, such as hanging items from the ceiling or walls?
- Can the budget for the dance accommodate an elaborate theme, or can it be trimmed to make it more affordable?
- Although elaborate themes are great, can decorations be made, purchased, or borrowed to achieve the right effect?
- Can the theme be made a reality with how much effort? Is it possible to gather enough volunteers to decorate and clean up after the prom?
- Are there enough power outlets to support the decorations, the musical equipment, and other necessities if the theme involves unique lighting?
- Do you think the theme is suitable for the majority of students so that everyone feels welcome?
Take a Vote to Decide the Best Prom Themes
It can be challenging to choose a prom theme for any school dance, but it is especially crucial for prom. After you find the prom themes your committee likes best, brainstorm invitations, dress codes, decorations, music, and menus to create your magical prom night. Let the student body vote and take ownership of the magical night if you like more than one.