Every debutante dreams of the perfect party. From your dream gown to the perfect guest list, there are so many things to consider when planning for the perfect 18th birthday party. In this article, we’ve enumerated a checklist of the 10 absolute must-haves for a debut in the Philippines.
These celebrations are cherished by young Filipinas and their families, so it’s important to have all the essentials present during the party. Keep reading to learn more!
One of the first things you’ll need to prepare is your guest list, seeing as the headcount of your party is going to dictate many other things to come. Fill this list with people who love you and have been there throughout your growth into a young lady. These special people are the same ones who will be proudest during your special night.
Venues are important to book in advance if you want the celebration of your dreams, so this is something you’ll also have to decide early. Make sure to have a few in mind—or at least a top 3—just in case the first option is booked full.
When picking your venue, it’s also important to consider what kind of celebration you want to have. Do you want a lavish banquet? An intimate gathering? Or an outdoor garden party? Answering these questions can help narrow down your choices for a venue.
Whether store-bought, provided by an events coordinator, or handcrafted and homemade, the décor is what will take your venue from beautiful to one-of-a-kind and thematic. Choosing your décor is also one of the fun parts of the party planning period, so don’t skip out!
You can plan this yourself with family (after all, they know you best), or you can hire an events coordinator to help. In the program, you can choose to include the traditional 18 roses and candles tradition. You can also feature special segments that make it unique to you. Either way, the program is the part of the night that will celebrate you the most, so make sure it’s lively and heartfelt.
Can’t have a good program without a host who brings it to life! Of course, you need someone who can pump up the crowd yet still inject thoughtfulness and care into the event. After all, it’s not just some club party—it’s a celebration of your life.
You can choose to hire a professional emcee or even get one of your closest friends to host the event. Find the match that best suits your party and theme.
The number may vary in more modern debuts, or you can stick with the traditional 18. On the list, make sure to include your dad, father figures, best male friends, and maybe a significant person. Your 18 roses dances will surely be one of the best parts of the night for as long as you’ve got these men by your side.
For your 18 candles (or, for a more modern debut, 18 treasures or 18 shots), you’ll want to choose people who you’ve shared good memories with. So choose from relatives, close friends, mentors, or just your favorite people in the world—we’re sure you’ve got quite a few!
What’s a party without delicious, mouth-watering food? Find a debut catering service with years of experience to help you plan more than just the menu of your debut. A top catering service will help you decide on food based on your budget without sacrificing the quality of the dishes. They should also make adjustments for guests with dietary restrictions.
Here at Juan Carlo, we take a bespoke approach when catering debuts. We work closely with the debutante and her family to provide the best services from the fondant cake to the centerpieces to the food. We create fresh, iconic dishes with meticulously chosen ingredients unparalleled in both taste and design.
Whether you’re looking forward to the speech or not, you should at least prepare a little something to thank all the people who spent the wonderful evening with you, and more importantly, have been there for you throughout your life. Make sure you prepare in advance for your speech with at least a couple of good stories or anecdotes, to set the tone and make people feel at ease. They won’t even notice your nerves!
A debut happens only once in a lifetime. Make sure you’ll remember it forever by hiring a photo- or videographer, or at the very least commissioning a friend or relative to do the job.
Those were 10 must-haves for a debut in the Philippines. Remember that the best kind of celebration is one that is well thought out and organized, so make sure you prepare in advance.
Here at Juan Carlo, we’ve provided the best debut catering services for some of the Philippines’ brightest starts. Allow us to plan this special day for you. Contact us here today to book a tasting experience with us.