Tag Archives: Step and Repeat for Proms and Dances

A school dance can be a blast - but also a challenge to plan.

School Dance Ideas: Planning Homecoming, Formals and More

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Whether you’re looking for  ideas for Homecoming, spring formals or any other kind of academic sponsored social event, planning a school dance can be a challenge. How can you be sure that you’ve covered all the bases – including entertainment, refreshments, invitations and decoration? Here are three of the most important steps to make the night a success:

1. Form a Committee
A dance planning committee is invaluable to make sure that things get on track and stay there. Ideally, you want a mix of students and school administrators. The students will be able to help guide some of the planning and act as advocates for their peers – throwing in suggestions for themes and music choices. Class officers or club leaders can make excellent student committee members. Meanwhile, administrators will be able to help manage budgetary concerns and contracts with outside parties, like DJs and catering companies.

2. Pick a Theme
A formal dance is nice, but one with a unique theme is even nicer! Have the committee brainstorm a few theme ideas and then poll the student body to see what is popular. The chosen theme will guide how you decorate and also affect other planning dimensions. Here are a few fun, inspired theme ideas:

  • High fashion. Encourage attendees to put on their best couture and strut their stuff on the catwalk! Rolling out the red carpet, having custom backgrounds for faux-paparazzi photos and even breaking up the dance with a miniature fashion show can be a really enjoyable time.
  • Island paradise. Create custom banners with lush, tropical island scenes and give all attendees Lai necklaces. Offer tropical punch and Polynesian inspired finger foods.
  • Masquerade ball. No excuse to be bashful here! Have attendees bring their own elaborate masks – or provide them at the door – to create an ornate event that channels 18th century France.

3. Make Sure the Venue Meets Your Needs
One mistake dance planners make is not verifying that a venue meets their immediate needs. A particular location make be beautiful, but not a good fit. Here are several things that you should always look out for when checking out a venue:

  • Is the entrance large and open enough to accommodate a crowd? Are exits clearly marked and accessible?
  • Is there room for refreshments, a DJ booth and photo stations?
  • Do the lights dim sufficiently for mood? Will you need to rent alternative lights?
  • Is the flooring a material that will be damaged by dancing in regular shoes?

The goal is to make sure that you have everything squared away before the night comes so that all the students can have the best time. If you are looking for backdrops and banners to give your event a special touch, trust the design experts at Sign Art Etc.

Red Carpet Poses: Tips for Your Guests to Look Fabulous!

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So, you have purchased your own special step and repeat backdrop….maybe a red carpet also….it is setup and looks great.

So how do you make the most of this setting?

First you need to decide the best place to set up your banner.  Your will also need to consider the  proper lighting.  If you are using a photographer, they can help you with those decisions.

Once you have decided on the location, taking into account the size of the backdrop and the size of the location, whether it is inside or outdoors and at what time of day your event will take place, then you set it up.

Almost everyone has had some experience taking pictures so it doesn’t have to cost you a lot of money, especially if you can help by providing the basics in where and how your guests will be positioned in front of the backdrop on the red carpet.

Here are some basic tips used by celebrities who attend a lot of events and want their photos to be the best they can be at all times.

Never face straight forward: facing straight forward will give you a photo such as those done when you were in elementary school or when having your photo shot for your drivers license. Not exactly the most flattering view.

Know your best side: if you have ever studied your face and body in the mirror, you will become aware that your body, when viewed from each side, looks a bit different. We all share these quirks and it’s good if you are observant and see which side the camera likes.

If you are doing a formal pose, you might want to position one foot in front of the other slightly, with your best side showing and your other side more in the shadow.

Position your head so your chin is tilted down but without retracting it into your neck. This will take the shine off your nose and forehead and put the attention on your eyes and smile.

If your best attribute or dress is located on your backside, then it would be good to turn with your back slightly towards the front as you look over your shoulder demurely.

Remember, it’s all about light and shadow. You want your best features in a little more light and the features that aren’t as camera snappy more in the shadows.

And the most important thing to remember is the relaxed confidence you show when you are having a good time.

Keep your guests happy and having fun while you make sure that you or someone else watches out for these little hints. It’s not your guests who need to have attention on anything but having a good time.

If you need more info, the team at Sign Art Etc will be glad to help.  We aren’t always the fashionable, but we certainly see lots of pictures of famous and not so famous people in front of our backdrops.  The Sign Art team is always glad to help and offer suggestions.

Prom Backdrops Full of Hollywood Glamour

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Are you trying to find decorating ideas for your prom? Being on the prom committee isn’t an easy task. Everyone expects you to have the best prom ever. That’s a lot of pressure. But there’s no need to panic. There are all kinds of decorations available now – from red carpet backdrops to movie themed backdrops. You can set any mood for your prom. Here are some ideas that will help set you apart from everybody else.

The first idea revolves around movies. What’s a movie that all your friends love? It doesn’t have to be a current movie. Any popular movie will do. Think about your favorite movie. Perhaps a movie that has inspired you or that is in some ways very meaningful. Run the idea past the other students on the decorating committee.

The next step is to see if you can find a party supply store that might have something to remind you of the movie. If not, you can also always try to create the decorations yourself or search online. The reason why this particular idea is so appealing is because you don’t actually have to do all the thinking yourself. You can get inspired by the movie.

Maybe a movie themed prom isn’t to your liking. Well, you can use a red carpet backdrop to create a glamorous prom atmosphere. The students will get a kick out of walking the red carpet into their prom. Everyone will be dressed in their very best formal wear. So it will actually look like a big movie premiere.

Most proms have a professional photographer on hand to take pictures. You can position the photographer on the carpet. Students can decide if they want their pictures taken as they walk into the building. You can also have the photographer on the inside to take pictures. If you do, try to find movie props for students to pose in front of.

To be fair, this particular option may end up costing you more in the way of time and money. However, if you’re trying to do something different, this is a good option. Most people have traditional proms with traditional decorations, like balloons and streamers. Why not go the extra mile? You’ll certainly create a prom you and your classmates will remember.

Sign Art Etc provides dozens of backdrops each week to clients and customers all over the US. Give them a call or drop them an email and they will help you make your prom ideas come to life.