80’s PROM NIGHT PARTY with PHOTOS

80’s PROM NIGHT PARTY with PHOTOS !!! You’ve come too the right place!

Hello, Everyone knows I advocate for costumes.  Maybe one day I’ll share amazing photos from the infamous White Trash party, where we ate spam casserole and twinkie surprise, or the Bad Wedding BBQ we threw Jacinda, where we all wore old bridesmaid dresses and re-gifted useless household implements.  But today, right here, right now, it’s all about last weekend’s 80’s Prom Night in celebration of Erin’s 30th birthday (she was born in 1980, get it?). It might be the funnest party I’ve ever attended.

If you’re in need of a party theme that makes everyone dress up and dance, you’re in luck.  Get the little details that make for a perfect 80’s Prom Night (and more pictures!) after the jump…
80’s PROM NIGHT PARTY with PHOTOS

1.  Costume:  So many options.

Gentleman can go early hip-hop, goth, “Footloose”, Michael Jackson, mullet, polo shirt and pegged jeans, hair-metal (that’s my husband) or as Jacinda suggested…JAMS and a RATTAIL.  Man, i wish Rick had been there in that outfit. Need a metallic bowtie? Here’s our how to sew a bowtie tutorial.

Ladies can go early Madonna, “Flashdance”, Dynasty, Robert Palmer girl…  just hit up American apparel or even better, a thrift shop.  Look for shoulder pads, sequin dresses, fingerless gloves, ankle socks, cropped denim jackets, white denim, stirrup pants, off the shoulder tops, and anything leather with fringe.  Or shred a tee-shirt and put beads on the shreds.  For accessories: wigs, fake earrings for men, dyeables shoes, pastel colors, or high top sneakers with two different color socks on each foot. I went with lee-press on nails, ankle socks, a banana clip, fingerless lace gloves, shiny plastic-feather earrings, and lots and lots of hairspray and blue eye shadow.

2.  Music.  It’s all about the dancing!!

You just need an iPod loaded with the appropriate songs. Smoke machine and strobe light optional. Get the perfect 80’s Prom Mix Tape here.  if you need more, just leave her a comment and she’ll share because she put together SIX HOURS of this stuff!

3.  Location.

We are lucky enough to be friends with a fancy-schmancy person we got us a deal on the perfect prom-esque room at the Standard Hotel, but seriously, throw it in a gym somewhere, or the YMCA, or Elks club.

4. Decor.

Neon pink and blue balloons made it super prom-esque and affordably adorable.  Meghan and I created that balloon arch (tip, apply your press on nails AFTER blowing up balloons).  Litter the ground and tables with glitter.  I made the centerpiece bowls out of records from the 80’s I found at a thrift shop. Here is our tutorial for DIY Vinyl Record Bowls.

5. Food.

Keep it simple.  There isn’t a ton of “80’s food” but Kelly from Yes, Please did put together the fantastic candy table featuring candy necklaces, ring pops, and a million perfect pink gumballs.  You could also make some “spiked punch” for some prom authenticity, but Erin gave us an open bar instead (nice!).

6.  Activity.

The photobooth is a must.  Put together by Kelly from Yes, Please, the photo booth is a DSLR with a flash set up on tripod in front of an amazing sparkly backdrop, with a remote attendees could hit and have their picture taken.  Of course, she added some perfect props – Prom King and Prom Queen sashes and tiaras/crowns.  Her awesome hubby then downloaded and sent them to us all.


OK, tell me, do you not wish you were invited to this party?  What would you have worn?  What song would you be dying to hear?  Van Halen?  Rick Astley? DJ Jazzy Jeff?

Originally posted 2/10, updated 10/22

by Jaime