Tips to Prepare for a Formal Event

Formal events are fun and exciting, but they also take a lot of planning. These tips are designed to help you get organized and relieve some of the stress behind planning for a formal, which is an event to enjoy and remember. You can make it more memorable by focusing on creating the perfect look and relaxing because you know you’ve planned accordingly so there’s no last-minute scrambling to get ready.

Start dress shopping immediately

While there are a ton of small details to remember when preparing for a formal event, your dress isn’t one of them: it’s the most important part of the show. Picking a dress is your most important choice, and there are endless formal dresses available from dozens of designers in every style and color imaginable.

You can begin narrowing your choices according to the event, your body type, and your own personal style. As a general rule, a floor-length gown is considered more formal, while a dress with a skirt that falls above the knee is semi-formal. However, many shorter dresses are appropriate for formal events or can be dressed up for the occasion. Most designer evening dresses will be appropriate for most formal events, regardless of style.

When it comes to body type, certain dress styles are better suited to some bodies than others. A-line dresses and ball gowns are both perfect for formal events and are well-suited to any body type, as they have a tight bodice with a billowing skirt. Empire waist dresses can also be worn by anyone, but they help hide the midsection better than any other style. Look for Allure evening dresses for a wide range of styles that are well-suited to most body types.

Set appointments for the day of the event.

You may want to get your hair styled, your nails manicured, your eyebrows waxed, or even a massage on the day of your formal event. Set these appointments well in advance in order to get the timing right for each one. If you’re not sure you’ll need a pedicure or a last-minute tanning session, make the appointment anyway and cancel courteously with plenty of notice if you later decide against it.

Order flowers in advance

Many formal events necessitate a corsage for women and a boutonniere for men. As soon as you’ve picked a dress—because you’ll need a wrist corsage for a strapless dress—order your flowers from the local florist. You may have a hard time getting a custom corsage at the last minute the week of the event.

Organize your accessories and extras

This is the most tedious part. Make a list of every item (including jewelry and underwear) that you’ll wear with your dress, and a separate list of everything you’ll carry with you that night. Make sure you’ve purchased all these items well in advance. Don’t wait until the last minute. For example, if you’re pretty sure you already have pantyhose in the right tone for your dress, double check and then try them on to make sure you don’t find a run or any other hidden surprises.