Yay! It’s Show & Tell Tuesday!
Twice a month, Andrea hosts a link up where we show and tell you something. Today’s topic: Prom Night.
In my 10 years of blogging, this is perhaps the only topic I have not covered. So, today’s post has a bunch of fresh pics from way back when.
I graduated from Irving High School where they only have a senior prom. That being said, I was asked by a senior my junior year and went to his prom and then went again the following year when I was a senior. Here’s the deal though…I had waaaaaaaaaaay more fun my junior year than my senior year (even though it wasn’t really my prom). Somehow, all of my friends went with seniors that year (both guys and girls), so even though it wasn’t our prom, we were all there together and it was just FUN. My senior year didn’t have a chance living up to the year before. Same people…just not as much fun. So, when I think back to prom, I always first recall my junior year and then my senior year.
This is my junior year going to prom with this nice guy right here. I still think my hair was on point ;).
My sweet, sweet, sweet grandfather who I was extremely close to, made sure to be there for the big night…which is amazing because he was incredibly sick at the time and died just a few months later. This picture makes me happy and sad all at the same time. He looks much, much older than he was due to all of the chemo and such. It’s sad because he looks so sick , but it’s happy because he was there and I’ll always remember that.
I love a good awkward prom pic 😉 .
We were all three juniors having the best time at the senior’s prom.
My senior year, I was dating someone older who was no longer in high school and I wasn’t about to torture him with prom, so I went with a friend…and the whole night was just okay. Apparently, blue is my color of choice for prom dresses ;).
My beautiful grandmother back for round two. My grandfather passed away the week before my senior year, but my grandmother did not miss a beat. She was at everything we had that year. Sean attended my senior prom even though he was a sophomore 😉 .
Senior prom with my friends!
And for fun, a few pics from Andrew’s proms…
I was laughing so hard at this one! Sweet Andrew had the body of a man but his head hadn’t quite grown into it. Thankfully, he was more proportionate his senior year…
…that’s a nice prom picture! Thank you to my mother-in-law for digging it out and sending it to me 😉 .
Okay, now, I have a very important question for you about your prom…
At our school, we ate dinner at prom. For some reason, none of my other friends and Andrew did when they went to prom. We had a like a big 4 course meal at prom and then proceeded to dance and such…but I swear, everyone I know now says they ate somewhere before going to prom. What did you do? To me, it just makes sense eating at prom or else it’s basically just a dance, right? So did you or did you not eat at prom??? Andrew thinks it’s so weird that we did and I think it’s so weird that he didn’t!
Comment and share :).
To see what’s coming up next on Show & Tell Tuesday, look below…
Next time, we’re sharing our favorite grown up parties!
To see my Show & Tell from February on My Loves, click HERE.
And to see other Show & Tell posts from last year or the year before…
2015’s Show & Tell Tuesdays HERE
And from 2016:
And don’t forget…
…tomorrow’s Workin’ It Wednesday post is all about how you work to spring clean at your house! Blog and link up tomorrow!
xo
Kerri says
We are at our prom 🙂
Kerri says
Ate
Kate H. says
We ate at the prom! 🙂
jamie says
so fun! and andrew’s date wore blue too! i cannot recall if we went out to eat for my prom. i do recall all three of my girls’, however, and they went out to eat. our locations change too. currently they are held at “the big house”. my girls’ were all at the high school i believe.
are you still friends with the guys and girls in these photos?
? your sweet precious grandparents
Erika Slaughter says
Ate at prom? No way! Ours had snacks but not a legit meal. I’m on Team Andrew with this one. Hahaha!
Mary Ashleigh says
We definitely did eat a very nice steak dinner at prom! I went to a private school and our tickets were significantly more expensive than other schools ($70) which included the dinner and the dance at a nice country club in town. I was the opposite of you, my senior prom was SO much more fun than my junior one!
Lauren Morris says
Great pictures Shay!! It’s always fun to sit down and reminisce about our younger years. Yes, we had a fancy dinner at our prom.
emily @ a little bit of emily says
We ate at prom, too! I went to another school’s, too, and they ate at the dance, too. We had other formal dances, though, and those we ate elsewhere beforehand, since they were just held in the school gym. So fun to take a walk down memory lane.
Katie Williams says
Great pics! Everyone in Atlanta goes to eat somewhere nice before Prom and then goes to the dance. But the big deal was the post-prom parties! However I wasn’t allowed to go to the co-ed sleepover, but my parents came up with a fun idea to have all my friends over (like 20 people) to our house after the prom for a midnight breakfast. They fixed pancakes, bacon, etc. After, everyone left to go to the next house for the sleepover and I just stayed home and went to bed. It was so much fun, I didn’t feel like I missed out on an after-party, and all the kids talked about the midnight pancakes for weeks. Such a fun tradition I hope to do for my kids one year!
jamie says
that is so fun! what a great idea!
Beth says
Every other year my school used to have prom on a river boat cruise. We would eat on the boat for that, but in the in-between years we would eat at a restaurant before heading to school for the dance!
Nicole Castellari says
We ate dinner at my prom too! They served a few courses and then there was a DJ and dancing after. I never even realized a lot of people don’t eat at prom and go somewhere before or after
Lauren D says
We ate at prom! We didn’t have time to go anywhere before then even if we wanted to. With all the pictures, then the limo ride into Boston from a suburb 45 minutes away, we were lucky we got there on time!
ELizabeth says
How fun is this?! Love reading this!
Xo, Elizabeth
http://stripesandsolitaires.com
Audrey says
“Sweet Andrew had the body of a man but his head hadn’t quite grown into it. ” I died. Lol.
Pretty sure dinner is always included during prom…maybe self-served for some?
Mix and Match Mama says
I thought so too! But Andrew and my friends all say they ate at a restaurant before heading to prom. Weird, right? 😉
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
Your prom pictures are super nice! I really enjoyed this post, you should do more flashback posts!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Brooke Richardson says
We went to eat before prom!!!! Loved all your pics!
Sheaffer Sims says
I’m so happy right now. Those are some LEGIT prom pictures!!!! And dinner at prom? NO WAY! What in the world? I’m totally with Andrew on this one.
Teresa says
We are at all of ours, and I went to three! I’m from Connecticut. Pretty sure all the schools around eat a nice meal at a fancy resturant then dance!
Katrina from Toronto, Canada says
Of course we ate at prom! I agree with you, without the dinner… what are we all doing here??? They are the weird ones, not us.
No wonder all those young kids are getting so drunk at prom! Not eating a darn thing in all the excitement of getting ready for prom, and then having a few drinks for probably the first time in their life. Sheesh.
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh my gosh! Your comment made me LOL!
Sarah Shaneyfelt says
My school didn’t offer dinner before prom (and they still don’t) so everyone goes to a nice restaurant beforehand. I’m pretty sure it’s that way for my entire area too! I’ve never heard of anyone eating at prom!
MeetTheShaneyfelts
Megan K. says
We definitely ate dinner at prom. It was held at a big fancy banquet hall. All other dances (including Homecoming) were at our high school and we ate dinner at restaurants before those.
Mix and Match Mama says
Us too!!!
Jordan says
We ate before prom! We also had a sub-deb dance (freshman-seniors) and ate before that as well. I’ve never heard of eating at prom!
Christi {Jealous Hands} says
We did NOT eat at prom – we went to a restaurant beforehand and then went to the dance.
Dottie Ruhlig says
We ate at our prom! My senior prom dress was the same iridescent blue, but strapless. Got to love the early 2000’s!
JAmie says
We ate at a restaurant before! no food at the prom! I don’t even remember there being anything to drink. So weird .
Sarah says
At our prom, everyone went out to eat beforehand, so no dinner served there! Interesting how it seems to be different for everyone!
-Sarah http://www.thefrugalmillionaireblog.com
Lindsay says
We did not eat at prom. Also, the juniors pay for the seniors prom, as a “gift.” Have you ever heard of this? That was 13+ years ago. However, with all of our state budget cuts to schools (Kansas), I’m quite sure this is probably still happening. The schools simply have $0 to help with anything non-essential. 🙁 As juniors we spent the whole year fundraising but get to attend as juniors. ONLY juniors and seniors and those older can attend, no freshman or sophomores.
Jessica S says
We did not eat at prom; I’ve never heard of that! We did gave snacks and punch. I always thought prom was ‘just a dance!’ At my school, the juniors ‘threw’ the prom for the seniors, so the juniors paid for it. We used class dues that had been collected for years, and also through fundraising over the years. My junior year was so much more fun because we chose the theme and planned and decorated it.
Meagan says
No eating at prom! I think they maybe had snacks and dessert? But we went to some fancy dancy place in downtown Dallas first, then went to prom.
Michele C. says
We went to dinner before prom. Actually, we were supposed to go to dinner but my date had to get our dinner to go because I was playing in a softball championship game and only had 30 minutes to shower and get ready. I was starving. There was no food whatsoever available at the prom but there was food at the after prom party.
Tessa says
Team Andrew on this one…we went out to eat before prom!
Kristen says
We ate at ours. It was at a hotel and practically a wedding reception without the bride and groom. haha! My sister is going to her junior prom this year and they still eat at the prom. 🙂
Allison Thompson says
We ate at prom. Like a wedding without the ceremony or the booze!
Erin says
I married my prom date! He was in college already, but must have liked me because we’re happily married 21 years after the promeeting.
And we ate at the prom too! Our daughter goes to.the same same high school and will be having dinner at her senior prom this year, too!
Great pics!
Lesley McFarland says
First up Andrews pics. WOWZERS. Are you sure they are the same guy? Honestly my husbands pics looks the same one year he was 5’6 the next year he was 6’8.
We had the option to eat at our prom…but we opted for a crazy expensive meal at a super nice reasturant.
My girl friends and I laugh about that all the time. If only now in our 30s would it be ok to tromp around in a poofy sparkley gown and eat at a super expensive restaurant. The life of a 18 year old….live it up ladies!!!
Laura says
Everyone went out to eat at a fancy restaurant before prom, and then went to prom (which was held at a fancy event venue in downtown Houston). There was a dessert bar at prom if I recall, but definitely not dinner and certainly nowhere to sit!! Prom itself was about the dancing. I have never heard of dinner at prom!!
Therese says
No food at my prom. Everyone went to dinner first and then showed up to the dance.
Lindsay says
No dinner at my prom.
Amanda Yap-Choong says
We didn’t have a high school prom, but we had a ball instead (I suppose quite similar to a prom). We definitely had a dinner included too! We also had to take compulsory dancing lessons prior too! (Ie learn how to waltz etc). Love the photos! What a trip down memory lane!
Katherine Darlington says
We had snacks at our proms but we had to make dinner plans before the prom. I always see prom goers having dinner every time we eat out on Saturdays during April and May so I think, in Kentucky, it must be customary to not eat at the proms. Cute pics
Linda Z says
We ate a multi course dinner as well! Proms were held in the same kind of venues as wedding receptions in NJ. The following day we all went to the Jersey Shore for the day.
Narci Dreffs says
These pictures are amazing!! And, you are right! Your hair is on point that first year! I’ve never heard of people eating at prom until now!
Leah says
I’m Team Andrew, but my husband is Team Shay on this one- basically because his hometown was so small they didn’t even have a restaurant that could accommodate everyone. Ugh now I’m thinking about all of the awkward prom memories I have from high school- so thankful for adulthood!
Jenn says
We had our Junior prom at our high school and we ate at a restaurant before. Our senior prom was in a hotel ballroom and included dinner – so we had both 🙂
Jen says
We ate at prom…..of course! My oldest just had his prom and no dinner…….what???? It was really just like any other dance
Kate says
We ate at our prom which was at a really nice hotel!! We clarified what meal we wanted when buying tickets, and there was a huge meal with a big fondu station for dessert 🙂
Julie C. says
We did not eat at our prom. I’m with Andrew, I think it would be weird to eat there. HAHAHA!!! We always went out to eat before every dance…homecoming & prom 🙂
Jessica says
We did NOT eat at prom. We went out to eat as a group before prom. Basically, prom was just a dance! ?
Alysha says
We ate at our prom but my husband didn’t and we also think each other’s ways are just weird. ?
Lizzie @ This Happy Life says
Love the blast from the past! I’m pretty sure we ate there too, ours was always at a hotel and there was seating so I would think yes, but for some reason I can’t be totally sure!
Ashley says
What fun memories! I went to a school in Florida, my junior year and a school in California my senior year. In Florida we ate dinner on our own. In California we were required to ride a bus from the school to the location and they had a sit down dinner there. I thought it was more fun to eat dinner on your own because then you could be with all your friends and choose the place. At the one where dinner was provided we didn’t get to choose which couples we sat with and the tables only sat 6 people.
We did have a mom volunteer to make us all breakfast at 3 am after prom ended at one of the guys houses and that was honestly the best part of the entire prom. To get to go back to the house and talk about all our experiences that night with friends over a buffet of breakfast food- amazing! I want to be the mom that hosts a post prom breakfast for my kids when they get older.
Brittany Bradley says
We went out to eat before prom. And my Junior Prom was much better than Senior Prom too! ? Fun post!
Connie says
Ate out at a restaurant first.
Krisitn says
No dinner served at our prom. We had to go out for dinner before.
JoBeth Allen says
I can top anyone’s prom story. I lived in a small rural town and we all had to go with our dates to the school, and THEN get on a yellow dog school bus and a coach drove all of us to the country club in the neighboring town!! We had dinner, awards, and danced all night. As the clock struck 12 on the magical night we all loaded up on the school bus again and our basketball coach drove us all home!!
Mary W. says
We ate dinner at Americas right by the Houston Galleria before our prom, which was down the street. We took an excursion limo with a huge group! We definitely piled into it. Lol! High schools around here also have elaborate after party celebrations held in the school that last all night long and involve lots of games, prizes, blow up obstacle courses, etc.
Susan says
I have never heard of such!! (Eating at prom) No! Everyone went to the big city 30 mins away and each picked a nice restaraunt. However, one year there was a wreck on the interstate and a bunch of us were late getting back to the “dance”.
Jennifer says
We ate at my prom – but I went to my boyfriends prom in another town and for that one, we went out to dinner beforehand. I think it simply 50/50. I’ve always heard about it both ways.
Sarah says
At my high school we also ate at prom! It totally made sense and set it apart from the other just “regular” dances. Glad I’m not the only one who thinks it’s normal to eat at prom 🙂
Danielle says
I always ate dinner before at a restaurant but eating at prom makes so much sense!! Wish we’d done that.
Megan says
No food at prom! Half of the fun was going to an uber expensive restaurant for dinner beforehand.
Love Andrew’s little headed pic. I dug out my hubby’s prom king photo and just about died laughing.
http://www.lettinginthelightblog.com/
Elizabeth says
There was no dinner at our prom so we went to a fancy restaurant before going. Our prom was also for juniors and seniors, and I enjoyed my junior year more than my senior year. Also I wore that exact same blue dress that you wore to your senior prom to my senior prom!!
Kelly Chen says
I went to prom…last year, hahahah! My boyfriend and I are only a year and four months apart, but he’s a freshman this year, and I graduate in May (so my prom was four years ago!). Anywho, we got dinner beforehand, and prom was at the Ritz Carlton! But I do think my high school served dinner there?!
stephanie mccain says
We ate at prom, but it was on the Natchez Riverboat and once we got there and loaded, we began a cruise around the river front in New Orleans. We had no choice but to eat there and stay the whole time and it was the best time!
Sara F says
We ate dinner st our prom! That’s what made it different from our homecoming dance. Everyone went out to eat before homecoming. At prom, we ate a formal meal, then they announced king and queen, and then we danced the night away 🙂 .
Elizabeth says
We did not eat dinner at prom! I am from a small
Town and our prom was in the cafeteria at school (which sounds so lame now). My junior year we went to dinner about an hour away from school. My senior year, my group of friends decided to have a big progressive dinner at different houses. That is probably my favorite memory from my senior prom.
Heather says
We never ate. It’s a big thing around here to go get pictures taken…group shots, by family, etc and then head out to eat around 5. We always joke that if you want to go out to eat between the middle of April and the middle of May, you don’t go on a Saturday….way too many Prom kids.
Stephanie Jennings says
Those are great pictures! Of course you eat at prom!! Why else would the ticket price be so expensive? Haha. I couldn’t imagine it not being dinner also. Have a great day ?
Cheryl L. says
I don’t think either way is weird. Although as a teenager who thinks they know everything…ha, ha…how you do things always seems like the right way. I think the difference comes from traditions at the particular school, the area of the country, rural versus city, what’s the venue it’s being held at, lots of things probably play into it. My own prom many, many moons ago included dinner but we had to drive to the big city to get there and it was held at a ballroom of a hotel, I’m sure we had to include the food to reserve the room. My kids proms did not include food. Photo taking around town beforehand and then going out to eat. Many go to a fancy restaurant but some parents host fancy dinners for their kids and friends. Prom starts a little bit later to accommodate dinner. I don’t see a right or wrong way, just different.
Rebecca Jo says
My school didnt do the dinner thing. We had to go out to a restaurant on our own… but I did go with a guy to his school’s prom where they did serve dinner. But it was so strange because there were like 20 people that came & ate at the dinner. I guess all the “cool kids” went out someplace else. AWKWARD!!!!!
& lady.. it looks like Kensington in all those pictures.. CRAZZYYYY
Valerie says
Our high school had a dinner with the prom, but several couples would go to restaurants instead and then show up in time for the dancing. The majority of us did eat at the prom.
Erin says
We did not eat at our prom… We went somewhere and then went to the dance! 🙂
Stephanie Stanley says
In Northern California we did not eat at prom, and in the Seattle area kids do not eat at prom. ?
Morgan Godbold says
My senior prom was only 7 years ago and we did not eat at prom! We all made plans and went out to a nice restaurant and then to where ever prom was being hosted!
Gabby Roberts says
We ate before at a restaurant and they had drinks and desserts at prom! But I wish they would have served dinner, how cool! We probably would have stayed longer if they had served us dinner ha! Only reason my friends and I showed up to the dance was because a couple of us were on court and had to be there so we literally showed up like 30 min before they announced prom queen and king, danced and mingled for a bit and then left and made our way to a friends house and hung out the rest of the night! And I have to agree with you that my Junior prom was way more fun than my Senior Prom. I went with a friend my Junior year and it was a blast. My Senior year I went with my boyfriend at the time who I honestly didn’t even like but only dated because I was the cheerleader and he was the star basketball player who had had a crush on me since Elementary School so I was basically peer pressured into dating him….MAJOR REGRET hahaha!!!
Susan says
No dinner at my prom! And my senior son just went to prom this past weekend (?), and no dinner at his prom either!! They went out to eat before. I’ve lived in Texas my whole life and never heard of eating at the prom!!
Natalie says
Team Andrew.. we ate at a nice restaurant then proceeded to the prom..
Mother Henn says
This is the first I’ve ever heard of eating at the prom. We went out to eat before the prom, but they did have punch and snacks available.
My senior prom was in 1989, and I wore a big dress with a big crinoline underneath…..we decided to have dinner at a fancy Japanese restaurant where you pretty much sit in the floor…..just imagine my friends and me trying to tuck that dress and fluff under the table. I couldn’t sit straight up and down…..had to lean back the whole time. I won’t even begin to talk about trying to use the restroom in one of those little stalls…..I had to have help! So, younger girls: be glad the styles changed!
Hayli says
We had a jr/Sr. “banquet” where only jrs & srs from our school could attend & had nice sit down dinner & fun “program” with a few songs, skits & student speeches then dance afterwards at school gym. Any date could come to dance. Then Sr year we switched it up & went on riverboat & it had hors d’oeuvres but a lot went to eat at a fancy restaurant early & rented limos! I went to proms at other area schools with friends & they ate before & had dance at another off-campus location. My husband’s school did not eat at prom. I loved when we did & enjoyed my jr prom more than senior
Jenna says
At my high school we would go out to eat before prom (or any dance). Most dances were held at our High School gym so to set prom apart, we would have it at a different location.
Katie says
We definitely ate at our prom! & we had it at a much nicer location. All our dances were at our school, but prom was always somewhere special! So funny, but I totally wore that red dress your friend has on in one picture to my winter formal my sophomore year!
Alexandra M says
We ate at prom! Prom is a banquet, and what is a banquet without a fancy meal?!
http://www.typebplusblog.blogspot.com
Kelly says
We ate at prom – but then again, I went to a Christian school that did not allow dancing, so without a meal to eat, it would have been a pretty pointless evening to get dressed up for! 😉 Our school wouldn’t even allow it to be called prom – it was called the Junior-Senior Banquet. They had a singing group for one of the years, and maybe a comedian the next?? So we ate and watched the entertainment and then they introduced the seniors one by one, and maybe had a compilation video of the seniors. It’s been a little over 20 years now, so hard to remember all of the details, but we definitely ate at prom!
Laci says
We always booked reservations at a nice steakhouse for prom! I do think it makes sense to eat at prom though-your school was way cooler. Haha! We only went to prom for the pics and dance.
Ellen says
We ate at home. We did have food at the after prom party though. Recently, my oldest daughter had her Jr. prom, and we grilled steaks with baked potato’s, green salad and dessert at our house for her and some other couples. They loved it. It was decorated quaint with candles and small lights, we served them in the formal dining room, and they had a blast. They said hands down, best prom meal ever. They even wanted us to do it for homecoming and prom her senor year. After they ate, the guys chilled in the recliners while the girls freshened up. It was the best of both worlds to them.
Jamie says
I went to a Christian school so we had “Jr/Sr Banquet” and we ONLY ate – no dancing!! Of course we all ended up at someone’s house after the banquet for dancing (we were such rebels) HA!
Melissa says
We ate at our prom and the food was not good. I wish we would have been able to go to a restaurant. We also had mandatory afterprom at a local aquarium which ended up being really fun!
Cara says
I’m with Andrew on this one…but I also went to the same high school. ? Half the fun was going out to eat in public all dressed up! I do remember at both my Jr & sr proms they had tables & chairs set up — enough to accommodate everyone, but no meal. I’m sure we had refreshments.
Brooke F says
I am from the north, and I have never in my life heard of eating at prom. It must be a southern thing? Everyone goes out for a nice dinner before and then heads to the prom, which yes, is just a dance then. No food, not even snacks, that would have been nice though!
Melinda Br. says
We have a Senior banquet on Friday night and a meal is served, that the seniors vote on. On prom night, everyone eats on their own. And they have snacks at the prom. Both events are held at the same place. So, in April and May, you see young people eating out all dressed up?
kellie carrara says
OMG — Loving the prom pictures! I wish I could attach a picture of mine. I went as a freshman (gasp!) with a senior. My dress was light pink tulle and featured in a milk commercial and was on the cover of Seventeen magazine. I thought it was PERFECT…I had gotten chicken pox 2 weeks before prom, so I am all pock-marked, but bless my mother’s heart, she spent an hour applying makeup to each red spot so they wouldn’t be so horrible in pictures!
So, about dinner: I went to 2 proms in Alabama and NO! We did NOT eat dinner at the prom. We all made separate reservations to go out to dinner, then went to the dance that was held in the h.s. gym.
My senior year I moved to Illinois and YES! They ate dinner at the event — a rented hall, where dinner was served, then a DJ set up for the dance. I thought it was so awkward that I had my date take me out to dinner before (prom dress and all) I was ridiculed for “skipping dinner”.
I live in Massachusetts now, and most proms are held at country clubs with dinner served, too.
I love hearing about all the different traditions throughout the country…
Here’s another one: In Alabama, we always had enormous SILK floral bouquets and in Illinois, they were FRESH wristlets. 🙂
Melissa says
No dinner at our prom. We went out to eat AFTER our prom, and then to a school-sponsored all night party at an amusement-type place.
My HS kids all go out to eat a nice dinner BEFORE prom. There are some snacks at prom, but it’s really just an evening of dancing (which sometimes gets boring). They have an after prom party too, but I think it’s odd that it’s only a couple of hours long….with the kids leaving at maybe 2AM.
Thanks for sharing your prom pics. Fun to see & reflect on all that! 🙂
Taylor says
At my school we go out to eat before prom and then at prom there’s little appetizers and such.
April says
Your prom days were the same era as mine. I can tell my the dresses and hair. It had to be around 2000-2001. We also ate a nice dinner at prom and we always had a professional photographer there. We were a rural high school so we didn’t have any nice restaurants to go to before anyways.
MelanieL says
If I remember right dinner was served at our prom but it was optional so we chose to go out to eat beforehand. I went with an older boyfriend my junior year and had no fun…I went with a friend my senior year and had the time of my life!
Melissa Sexton says
We ate at our prom too! It just so happens I went to prom and wore an ivory dress with a guy I later walked down an aisle to meet wearing white.? I wore the same garter to both my prom and my wedding (I have no idea why we wore garters to prom?.)
Natalie says
Went to a public high school and we ate at at Prom! Otherwise, it would just be a dance, like Homecoming 🙂
Holly Hopkins says
It makes sense to eat at prom but we never did. We would meet for pictures in a local garden and get the family pictures ect. We would then head to a fancy restaurant. Then go to prom. At prom we would do a parade of everyone and their dates for the parents to watch OR at some schools it was all about the drop off in crazy cars and even tractors the crazier the ride the better. The parents would leave after the father/daughter mom/son dance.
Kate Rhoad says
We always had our prom ate the local country club on a Friday evening and had a delicious meal!
Stephanie says
I’m from Utah — we had dinner at a fancy restaurant and then our prom is at the State Capitol.
Nicole says
We did not eat at our prom! You went out with a group beforehand. 🙂
Rachel says
We went to a restaurant before prom. My junior year I skipped prom and went to After Prom and then a friend’s mom hosted a nice breakfast after that. Senior year, my date was late, we got lost, went to a hibachi place and they seated us with the guy I had asked to prom and his date! I was allergic to my corsage, then we lied to each other and said we weren’t going to After Prom and both showed up alone! We call each other the prom date from hell, but we are friends now! Oh, and I wore blue, too!
Nicole in WI says
No eating at our prom. Our town did have an awesome prom tradition however. Everyone went out to eat before their school prom. Then you would go to your school for a dance. Then each school would “parade” down to the downtown event hall, where all the city high schools would come together for another dance. It was an all night awesomeness. The rotary put on the all city part of the prom and there would be snacks and bouncy houses and karaoke. They even locally televised all the high schools arriving!
Amanda Gore says
This is absolutely the first time that I have heard of anyone having dinner at their prom! Blows my mind! We always went out to a nicer restaurant with friends all dressed up and then to the prom! My senior year prom was the most fun I guess – I didn’t really love any of them. Just a fun time to hang out with my friends but none of my dates were a ton of fun 😉 I think my expectations were always too high and I had way too many bobby pins in my hair – lol!
Kara B. says
Our prom did not have a full meal, but desserts and some light appetizers. Before hand we met at someone’s house where the limos would pick us up, and we all had a giant potluck there! Then after the dance we went to In-N-Out! ?
Amber says
Definitely ate before prom at a nice restaurant. I wish more schools did serve the meal 🙂 I have a great book suggestion for you- I just finished reading, With Love from the Inside, by Angela Pisel. It was a wonderful story. So, if you are looking for something new to read this one is a sure bet (but have your tissues ready).
Rachel says
We ate dinner at our prom – our prom was held at a hotel ballroom and they served us a very typical banquet meal. Love seeing the old prom pictures… I always hated that my prom date rented a tux with a white jacket, but now the pictures just make me laugh!
Angela Ellingson says
I only went to my junior prom because I graduated high school a semester early. But no, we didn’t eat at prom. It was basically just a dance.
Lana V. says
We ate at our prom…a nice full four course meal. We did that at our homecomings too.
Jessica says
I went to a small school, so it was a Junior/Senior prom. We had a big dinner at prom with servers chosen from the Sophomore class by the Juniors. The servers always had to dress up in ridiculous costumes to serve, but afterwards you changed into your dress and could come to prom. If a sophomore guy was a server, he could bring a freshman date to the dance. The prom was put on by the Juniors so they had to do all the set up, figure out who was cooking the meal and make sure the sophomores looked as ridiculous as possible. But the meal was only for the Juniors and Seniors. Even if you were a senior and brought a freshman date, they couldn’t come to the dinner, just the dance afterwards. It was fun and I was able to go to prom all 4 years. Just one bad dress decision in 2003….that was a bad fashion year, right??
Jenny says
They served dinner at our Prom, but no one ate it. We all went out to eat before the prom to a nice restaurant.
Nicole Silva says
We had dinner at senior ball. It was on a ship that sailed the San Francisco bay! I went to junior prom as a senior and they had heavy appetizers and desserts. We usually are at a restaurant or someone’s parents hosted dinner before Homecoming.
Kristi says
I never went to prom, but my daughters did…they all go out to a restaurant before the grand march/prom. Maybe it’s a Midwest thing?
Lauren says
Your sweet grandma just never ages! She looks the exact same!! Ha! Lucky her! Also- here in Colorado nobody eats at prom!! Everyone eats before the dance!
Katie T. says
I went to three proms in two different states and we always ate before the dance. I love prom season now because we get to see all the girls out to eat in their pretty dresses when we go out to eat. Such a fun time!
Sara says
My husband and I were high school sweethearts, although we went to different nearby high schools. He went to a very small school, and I was able to go with him to his prom. We ate a very nice steak meal and then danced. He could not go to my prom, as it was a larger school and only that schools students could go. And we do not eat at our prom we eat out before hand. I always thought the difference was the size in the schools, so I am surprised your high school had a meal for prom!
Amy says
No dinner at my prom – it was pretty much just a big dance! #TeamAndrew 😉
Alice H says
Did NOT eat at prom! We went to a restaurant and had to wait forever!!! But that would have been better to eat at prom since you are already spending so much money on a ticket!!
Ranisa says
What?!? People eat at prom?!? This is the first I have ever heard of it.
RyanLee says
Oh my goodness, this is so fun to read about everyone’s experiences!! In Alabama, we are with Andrew on this one… I’ve never heard of eating at prom! HAHA! We had a big group of friends and we rented a limousine, went to a fancy dinner and then to prom which was usually in the banquet room at a hotel. Then, we would all spend the night with one family and that host family would cook breakfast for the entire group.
April Bass says
Dinner was part of our prom and I think its strange that most schools don’t now. I agree – without it its just a fancy dance 😉
Melanie S says
At our proms, you always go out to eat before prom. I believe they had snacks there, but no one actually snacked that I know of.
Kelly says
We absolutely ate at prom, BUT we also had another random (and apparently not common anywhere else) tradition – a PROM WALK!!!!! Before prom, everyone and their friends and family would gather in the school gym or auditorium for the prom walk – literally a “fashion show” of all the couples walking out onto the stage to have their pictures taken. It was a HUGE DEAL!!! Has anyone else done this??!?!?
Jocie says
I went to a private school prom twice and then a public school prom once and at all threes dances I ate dinner!
Katy says
I think we aren’t focusing enough on the amazing frosted tips of your friend! Hahah! LOVE. And, we did not eat at prom, for us the eating before was kind of a “statement”… some people even drove all the way to DALLAS… (I’m saying that like I did when I was in HS). 😉
Tami N. says
We ate at our prom!
Meg says
We are before prom ?
Page says
We ate at our prom too! I always thought it was SO weird when people would go out to eat before prom and then just have the dance. Love thinking back to these fun high school days!!
Lindsey Stromberg says
We didn’t eat at prom and I’m with Andrew, I think it’s weird that you did! I’m from MI, maybe it’s a southern thing? Either way cute photos 🙂
Ali J says
We ate at our prom. My junior prom was just so-so but my senior prom was a blast and I have great memories of that night and weekend.
Jen says
We ate at prom!! I knew other schools that didn’t so it’s not odd to me, but I wouldn’t have wanted any other way!!
Katie S. says
At my high school prom, we were in charge of our own dinner. Which, is super awkward because you are all dressed up to go out to a restaurant where 90% of the choices include BBQ or ribs… what? I love both. But not while in formal attire! ? I was always super uncomfortable! But, my sister went to a school five minutes down the road where dinner was always provided at the prom, but they had the option to do their own thing, too!
Kay says
Big fancy dinner at prom, and I went to other school’s proms, all with a big dinner! I thought that’s what separated prom from homecoming haha.
Angie McClung says
I love looking at old homecoming and prom photos! These are great! We never ate at prom so it was more of a dance. It was kind of a tradition for a bunch of friends to get together with their dates and either go out to dinner before the dance or to gather together at someones house and make dinner – I like the 4 course meal option at prom much better 🙂
On a side note – did you hear that Michael Buble’s son is doing extremely well and the doctors are optimistic about his future? I heard of it and thought of you. I think that your prayer requests had something to do with that ♥
janet says
I went to two proms at two different schools. No meal served at either. My prom dress was hideous. haha. We couldn’t afford much. JC Penney back in 1982 didn’t have the best options for a budget. Ironically a dress my mom picked up at a yard sale was my favorite. Wore it to the second prom I attended with a church friend. I remember it was a Gunny Sax dress with a sweet rose print. Kind of reminds me of a Lauren Ashley print.
Jessica says
We went out to eat before prom. The kids in Houston must do the same thing because I’ve seen the high school kids all dolled up at nice restaurants.
Angie says
We ate at prom also. I went to a SMALL high school in Missouri. The prom is a junior-senior prom and the juniors always put on the prom and the junior parents fix the meal or have it catered. Lots of larger schools around here don’t do that though – the kids go out to eat before the prom.
Kelli says
We always drove to a fancy restaurant for dinner before prom. I lived an hour away from San Antonio so we’d drive the hour to SA and then back for the actual event. 🙂
Emily says
We ate at prom too! My fiance and I were just talking about this when we saw prom couples and groups out a restaurant the other night. We only went out to eat for our homecoming dance but that was much more laid back. Seven years later and I’m marrying my prom date in 2 months! We went as friends Junior year and started dating right after Senior prom!
Kayla B says
We never ate at prom. We would go out to eat before at super fancy places like Red Robin or Red Lobster 😉 I went to a small, Christian high school, though. We were allowed to go to prom Sophomore-Senior year, and the parents were actually the ones who put on the dance, not the school. That probably limited the budget. I’ve actually never heard of anyone eating at prom before now, though!
Cynthia says
I’m from the suburbs of Boston and my senior prom was on top of the Prudential Building, “Top of The Hub” which is also restaurant with a 360 view of Boston from up up high. We had a nice 4 course meal before and then dancing after. I remember feeling so awkward walking into the building because I don’t know if you’re familiar but it is also a mall! EVERYONE stared as we walked around in our gowns haha. While we’re at prom, some of the teachers and staff decorated and transformed our school into a “Vegas themed casino”, from the after party from midnight until 4am. There were so much food, black jack, poker tables, airbrush tattoos. It was actually pretty cool because everything looked so different.
Vanessa Roberts says
Those pictures are great!!!
And that question is too funny because I asked the exact same thing on my blog post today! Prom was always a special event meaning it was dressier than homecoming, you had to buy advance tickets, only open to juniors and seniors, and it included a nice dinner and dancing. When I told my husband that he was cracking up! He said none of the schools have dinner at prom around here – and they still don’t 🙁 And thought it was so odd! I think it is extremely odd not to have dinner at prom! Glad to hear I am not alone 🙂
Malari Edwards says
I just graduated in 2016 and we ate at my prom
Megan says
We eat at prom! That’s the first thing! and then you have Grand March, and Dancing. Then of course, is the after prom. So yes, we ate at PROM.
Cindy Rabe says
I grew up in the country so it was a big deal for us to drive (an hour) into Houston to eat then go back to our gym for prom. We thought we were so cool. Now, when I see kids out eating before prom all I can think is surely I was never that immature!
Debbie K. says
We went out to eat at a very nice restaurant. My children went to the same high school as me and they ate out before the prom also. Also, as previously mentioned our school ( I’ve taught here for 28 years too) has a mixed junior senior prom that is hosted and paid for by the jr class. They fund raise all year. The students have to purchase tickets if enough money isn’t raised to rent the hall, pay the DJ, etc. Our prom is coming up on April 22nd and students are getting excited!! They plan who is going in what group, what to wear, limos? where to eat… all the fun stuff.
Michelle B. says
We ate at prom my junior year. Juniors planned prom at my school so my class used the money we raised for a nice meal and decorations. But that’s the only year they ever had a meal. I guess we were the only cool class 😉
Glory says
We had dinners at our proms! Also, like you I hand more fun at my sister’s proms and at a Friends prom than mine! The catch? They are younger than me! LoL
Julie Bradford says
we ate at prom but I went to a Christian private school and they were called banquets not proms??? hahaha there was also no dancing allowed and you had to take a JR or SR from that school?? so many rules…..but that didn’t stop us from having a good time and partying after it was over!!! eeeek
Paloma says
My friends went out to eat before all of the dances in high school. My senior prom was special as my mom got us a limo and we thought we were sooo cool.
Melissa says
So fun! We actually had a junior prom and a senior dinner-dance. For junior prom, we went to a banquet hall to eat and then back to our gym for the dance. Senior year, we went out on a big boat inn lake George (NY) and had dinner and a dance. It was slightly less formal than junior prom (we wore short cocktail dresses and the guys wore suits generally). The weirdest part of our prom was that everyone had their date a year in advance or longer!! I have no idea why. Seemed Normal then but now it seems super weird.
Liz says
Wow I’m so surprised at how many people went out to eat at a restaurant beforehand!! We had a buffet style dinner offered at both junior and senior prom. I also recall hitting up a popular local diner after the dance for some delicious cheesey fries 🙂
Sarah Tucker says
Going out to eat was the BEST part of prom! The dance was the boring part. We always picked the nicest restaurant! My senior year, we used my dad’s company’s 12 passenger van and we all just went to a fancy dinner. We totally skipped prom all together!
Tonya says
We had a junior and senior prom. Juniors and seniors ate dinner at the prom. If you had a younger date, they could attend the dance only.
Where my daughters go to school it is a junior and senior prom with no food. They all go to restaurants before prom.
I agree with you. It should be dinner too!
Juliana Grace says
I am a senior in high school now and my school serves dinner at our prom! Loved your pictures!!
Kate says
We ate at my prom! You had to get there by 7:30, dinner at 8, dessert at 9, and everyone had to stay until 10:30. Without the food why would the ticket be so expensive??
Sam Campbell says
My son is in his second year at University of Cincinnati. Both high schools’ proms he attended (a small private Christian school as a date and his own public school in a small college town) served dinner. My own prom experience was you go out to dinner with your friends to a restaurant. My husband’s was you eat dinner at prom.
Keisha M Dawson says
I love these pictures so much! We ate at prom my junior year, because it was at the country club. My senior year, we had it at a different location that didn’t serve food, so we went out. It’s kind of fun to go out on the town all dressed up.
Dacia says
I’ve never heard of people eating at prom before! I attended three different ones, and we always ate at a restaurant before heading to prom. Loved the pics!
Lindsay @ Lindsay's Sweet World says
We didn’t eat at our prom. Everyone always made reservations at the fanciest restaurants in town for our prom, and then we all arrived fashionably late. ;o)
Jennifer says
We ate dinner before going to Prom. ?
Traci Burnett says
We totally had dinner at prom! Waaayyyy back in the day of my Senior Prom it was held at the Apparel Mart at Dallas Market Center which was awesome because me and all my little Bedford friends felt big time going to Dallas for our Prom! Great pictures!!!
Kelly McNellis says
Awesome pics! We had a senior prom only, at a hotel. We ate dinner there, had dancing there all night, and then had inflatables, games, casino, etc back in the high school gym until 4 am!
Sarah says
Here in Minnesota, most proms I know of eat at prom and then dance the night away before an after prom at the school! It is so much fun to be with friends the entire night!!
Karen says
Nope ~ never heard of food being served at prom….. wow ~ Kensington looks like Andrew!
Kelly W. says
I am also Team Andrew on this one, we did not eat at the prom! I have never even heard of that! Everyone would eat at a nice restaurant before the dance. I love seeing all of the kids dressed up at the restaurants during prom season!
Kristen Pitstick says
We did not eat dinner at prom. I went all four years of high school and we always went out to dinner before. 🙂
Erin Port says
We ate at prom! It essays hotel in downtown Pittsburgh. We even had the dance and then post prom at that same venue! We had prom walk (like fashion show for parents to take pics), the hopped in limos to go down and the busses brought us back home at 6am! My mom always they had everyone for breakfast before we crashed! It was so much fun especially my senior year when 12 of us girls went sans dates!!!! Way more fun then my creepy date junior year lol!!!!
Tiffany says
I’m from a small, rural town in South Alabama, and we did not eat at prom. We all went out to dinner before, then there were finger foods and punch at prom. The big difference between prom and a regular dance was the décor! We went ALL OUT for prom with themes like Winter Wonderland, Fairytales and Firelight, Under the Magnolias, World of Pure Imagination (Willy Wonka theme), etc (sounds so corny now). The senior class parents always hosted a huge breakfast at someone’s house after the prom, then we all went somewhere else to party! I went to 5 proms (3 at my own school and 2 in the neighboring town) so I was obviously a big fan! LOL!
Amy says
I’m in college now and graduated high school in 2015. We ate at our prom! That’s how I always thought it was done. If people had dates for homecoming, then they may have gone to dinner before, but not for prom! We chose our entree course when we paid for our prom tickets, and there was even a nice dessert plate that everyone got! Ah. That was the best part of prom right there, those desserts! 😉
Kelsey says
We ate at our prom too! It was a delicious three course meal! Juniors were in charge of setting everything up. All juniors and seniors came at like 4:30 already for pictures, ate our meal, had a little speaker or skit, cruise around town for a little bit, then all went to the dance and after party with lots of fun games – all planned by parents and the junior cksss. Everyone went home at 4:00 am 🙂
Anna says
We went out before Prom. They offered snacks at the dance and then we would have breakfast at someone’s house afterwards. Always fun!
Alissa says
We ate at my junior prom and senior ball as well, so you are NOT crazy! I think it was a way for the school to ensure that there wasn’t any underage drinking beforehand and it kept all of us kids safer. Homecoming however, we always ate a restaurant beforehand.
Corinne Wright says
That second blue dress from your Senior Prom? Yeah, I’m pretty sure I wore the same dress to my Junior prom, except mine was a lighter blue. I loved that dress! Ha! And we had dinner or didnt have dinner depending on where the prom was held. Junior Prom, we had dinner, because we had it at a fancy restaurant. Senior Prom, we had it at a professional football stadium (sounds weird, but it was BEAUTIFUL! – A friend of mine had her wedding reception there several years later, even!). We didnt have dinner at the prom that year, but it was fun to go out to eat first… and again afterwards.
Chelsey says
We didn’t have dinner at our prom! But in the area it is mixed, a lot of the private schools in the area do a sit down dinner at prom. All of our other dances were at the high school but our winter dance (HollyBall) and prom were always at a nicer venue.
heidi says
Growing up in England we didn’t have prom back then. You can imagine how many hours I watched pretty in pink & can’t buy me love and wishing so bad I was American.. and oh how I wanted to be a cheerleader ( again not in England )..
Now I live in Alberta we have Grad which I guess is similar. My kids school is tiny her graduating class will be 23 kids. So they hsve a meal, a red carpet walk, a slide show of pictures etc and the whole village comes and attends.. it’s fun. Grace & I already look at dresses. . She’s in grade 7 lol
Wendy says
I went to high school in England. My junior prom was held at a hotel in Oxford and we had a sit down meal, same for my senior prom. Your pictures are really cute. You look great in blue!!
Megan Butler says
Our prom was a dinner!! We had a huge meal and the sophomore class was the servers. Then we had a fun dance after! Dinner for sure!!! Not weird at all!! Plus there are no other places to eat in Jayton!!! And we also all went to the neighboring small towns for their proms! So much fun!
Britt F says
My junior year we ate at a restaurant and my senior year they made us eat at the prom as a way to try and keep people from drinking before the dance portion of the evening. I’d also like to mention that our prom was held in an airport my senior year. The dance floor was right next to the baggage claim. So weird looking back on it now!
JH says
Our prom included a very nice dinner for everyone. The juniors were responsible for raising the money to put on the prom, and our class did such a stellar job that the dinner and dance were completely free for everyone! My kids’ school does not serve dinner, so they go to a restaurant before the dance. Fun topic!
megan says
We went out before the dance.. They had snacks/pizza/soda you could buy but not dinner. And our prom was in the boys and girls club basement one year and our school gym the other year (it was lame!)
Jeanie says
We all ate at various fancy restaurants and thought we were so grown up in our fancy clothes. Truthfully, I’ve never heard of eating at the prom.
Jessica says
No food at our proms! We went out to eat beforehand ☺️
Jen Z says
We had a full meal at our prom!
Jaclyn Massey says
Is that Nick Cornwell in one of your pictures? I live in Prince Edward Island, Canada, but my brother (who lives in Maine) is great friends with him. They go to Sunday school together. Small world!!
Mix and Match Mama says
He was in fact, my prom date our senior year 😉 .
WhittyWife says
Such a small world – I live in Maine and grew up with Megan, Nick’s wife. 🙂
Amanda Peterson says
We ate at Prom! I actually met my husband at my Senior Prom. He was one of my friend’s dates. I was wearing a white dress that night! 🙂
Ralinn says
We did not eat at our prom. Dinner reservations were made well in advance at which ever restaurant the couples wanted.
It is fun to reminisce.
Cristin says
5 Proms, 4 different high schools, 3 different dates and we did not eat at a single one (except one had some snacks out, I never touched them). Class of 2002 from SoCal. I wonder if its common in certain parts of the country to have dinner? Most of our proms were at hotels or convention centers and about 1000 people attended. We got there about an hour late each time, ate dinner before and usually had a suite at a nearby hotel to party afterwards, then we went to our own hotel rooms, had brunch the next day then went to Disneyland, the beach, etc.
Kara says
We ate
Jacki says
I married my prom date! ? I went to public school and dinner was not included… we all went out to dinner before the dance then had a massive after party. For his prom, dinner was included with prom. He went to a private all boys school. Not sure if it was a public school vs private school thing, but we had fun at both then and still do now!! ☺️
Emily Hicks says
Our school had a junior and senior prom. At junior prom there wasn’t a meal but senior prom was at a fancy location with a fancy meal. So many good (and awkward) memories and pictures. Love it!
Ginger says
Way back in the dark ages — mid ’70’s — at our high school it was a junior/senior prom. Juniors put on and paid for the prom. We ate in the school cafeteria!! 🙁 I remember our meal junior year because I was on that committee — ham loaf and green beans! Oh, ladies, how things have changed. My daughter went to same high school as Andrew, and they still eat at restaurants. My son went to small Christian school in Joplin and they have Junior/Senior banquet, and they eat there.
Ali Martinich says
We ate dinner at our Prom up here in Wisconsin!!!
Cheryl says
Great pictures! You looked beautiful as always. At my school we had a junior prom and then a senior prom.
At my Junior prom we ate at the prom which was held at a Hilton Hotel. Very upscale dinner like yours.
At out Senior prom we all went out to dinner at a very classy place. Then off to the prom with was held at a banquet hall. It was beautiful. Towards the end of the night they brought out more pizza’s than I have ever seen.
Oh and during the prom they had a large dessert table. Cakes, cannoli, many other Italian pastries, pies, make your own sundaes, cookies and more. We were so surprised when they brought out the pizza. Most of us grabbed a few and brought them to the beach the next day. Along with boxes of pastry.
Fun to think back to that time in my life. Thank you for bringing back the great memories. God bless
Casey says
I’ve never heard of eating at prom. Here in Charleston SC you go out to a fancy restaurant all dressed up and then head to prom and dance the night away. My school even had an after prom party at a gym with a pool. Up all night swimming, playing basketball, etc. Fun times! But that was almost 20 years ago! ?
Kari says
Our proms had snacks and punch, but we went out to eat at nicer restaurants before for dinner! Most people got together at someone’s house for photos, then were picked up by a limo and brought out to eat at a nicer restaurant (in a group), then back to the school for Grand March, and then onto Prom! Afterwards there was post prom until like 6 am or something ridiculous.
CourtneyC says
No dinner at my prom in South Texas. There were snacks and punch, but everybody went out for dinner at a restaurant beforehand. Which, probably, the wait staff just LOVED. Not. I’m betting high schoolers are pretty lousy tippers and, oh!, the drama.
Maria D. says
I didn’t actually attend my senior prom – I was dating an “older” man (he was 20) who was in the military so we had attended a military ball instead of going to my prom. I do know that there was a meal served at the prom and that it was at a brand new hotel in town – that apparently hadn’t finished it’s parking lot because a lot of the young ladies tripped and fell in the rock parking lot and there were also accidents in the hallways with the new floors – it wasn’t a great prom event for my school that year.
Pam says
We ate at prom that was held in our school cafeteria….
Kendra says
I love seeing you so young! You were beautiful then and now! Prom was a terrible experience for me because we went to get our tickets the last day and they said they wouldn’t open up a table just for one more couple so basically told us we couldn’t go to prom! 🙁 So they did eat there. I instead went out to dinner with my Mom and then showed up to the after party with my non refundable 300.00 dress that I was wearing and everyone else had changed into comfortable clothes. Oh how I wish I would of been able to go. So it was so fun being able to see your pictures, thank you for sharing.
Kelly says
We ate at a restaurant but my kids eat at their proms, which I thought was totally weird at first but it is SO nice!! No having to worry about dinner reservations for large numbers of people!
Teri Giese says
Having gone to an all girl,college prep,high school;we had to ask the guy to our prom!But…we could go to other schools’ proms if a boy asked us.AND,there were 2 all boy high schools in the area also!( Green Bay,Wi.).So,am talking the ’70’s,as I will be 56 soon?.We ALWAYS went to a “fancy”restaurant for dinner.Prom part was ALWAYS lame.Then a bowling party,school sponsored.Of course “other”parties.Breakfast,only time I had no curfew,and almost EVERY formal I went to,the dumb guy got punched for trying “stuff”lol.Was not a “rich” girl;actually paid half of my tuition.Began working at 13!Anyway,a really wealthy family had a party for us kids.I remember the winding driveway and a maid answers the door!Then we all sat around awkwardly eating fancy food!WOW!Anyway,that was my prom.Had more fun at the “public school” proms.Which all was my senior year.No dating till almost 17!lol.Have tons of prom stories,but all went out to dinner.
CBKinski says
We definitely didn’t eat at my prom! I’m from Chicago and my senior year prom was at the Museum of Science and Industry…the biggest thing for us was eating a light meal (they let those going to prom out of school early) before the dance and then afterwards we went to a fancy restaurant with whoever our group of friends was 🙂 I went to other schools proms with friends and we never ate at prom. It was mostly just dancing and being silly when we got there
Jennifer says
The first two proms I went to, we ate out before going to prom. They had snacks and stuff at prom though. My senior prom, they planned a dinner at the prom and it was a big meal – it was also at a different location than the previous 2 proms.
Christy B. says
We went to dinner at a hibachi place before prom. They had snacks and desserts at the prom but everyone was on their own for dinner!
Kelsey says
We didn’t eat at prom! No one in our area does that. People either go out to eat or we would just get 10-15 couples of our friend group together at someone’s houses. My senior year it was at my house and all the parents provided a great steak dinner so we could all eat and take pictures together.
Mackensey says
My high school boyfriend went to a different school, so we actually took turns and junior year we went to mine, where at ate at prom, and senior year we went to his and went out to eat somewhere. I honestly enjoyed eating out beforehand more, but his prom was decorated and so much fancier than ours so that may be why! 🙂
Ariadna says
I’m on Team Andrew on this one, we ate somewhere else before going to the dance. However, for Prom, it was at a fancy hall somewhere in town while Homecoming and Gnimocemoh (Homecoming backwards where the girls ask the guys instead) was always in the high school gym. I had never heard of any dinner being served by the school before a dance. Weird!
Cassy says
I went to MacArthur and we also had a four course dinner and had a casino to win things for college dorm rooms. My youngest just had his senior prom and they ate before at an expensive restaurant. Most expensive dance he has been to all four years.
Jenny says
They served punch and cookies at Prom, but that was it. You had to eat before you went. But then, our Prom was just held in our gym. Pretty much just a fancy dance with decorations. Yours sound way more fun. 🙂
Kacy says
My prom was about 6 years ago and the fee was already pricey, so dinner would make it even higher. People just ate dinner wherever they wanted beforehand and then headed to prom (it was held in the ballroom of the Houston Galleria). The after prom event was at Dave & Buster’s.
Hannah says
We had dinner AT our prom too!!
carol says
YEP…we ate at prom as well. Feeling ever so grown up
Sharon Krushcen says
We also ate at Prom. It just makes sense!
Brittany says
My school only offered water and dessert so we had a small potluck dinner at a friends house.
Kelsey Schwartz says
Went to Prom in 2007. We did not have dinner at our prom. The cost of the ticket was $50 without the meal so I can imagine that is why there was no meal. It was at the Hilton in Harrisburg, PA.
Amanda says
I remember my senior year they changed it so we had to eat dinner at the prom. Before that we were able to eat dinner at a restaurant beforehand…this was preferred because we lived in the Chicago burbs and went downtown to the city in a limo for dinner.
Also, my proms were in 2000 and 2001 and that was the brief time period when 2 piece dresses were in. So both years I chose dresses that were basically camisoles with a huge a- line skirt! *cringe*
Terra Heck says
I really like that first Prom dress you wore. For my prom, we chose our own place to eat and then went to the dance. But, I have a son who is a Senior going to prom next week and all the people going are having a sit-down dinner in a hotel, then dancing at the same place.
Chelsea Story says
Hi Shay!
I am a Irving High School graduate too and yes I remember having a meal at prom. But we were so hungry from dancing that we asked our limo driver to stop at McDonalds afterwards for McFlurries before the after prom party.
I enjoyed seeing your prom pics! Love your blue dresses!
Mandi S says
We did not get a meal at prom! We all went to eat O’Charlys after prom. One of my friends dad was a waiter there and he served us all 1 drink! He was very brave. At the time we thought he was super cool but now that I’m 37 and a parent I couldn’t imagine serving 18 year olds drinks at a restaurant I worked at!
Linzee says
Old pics are so fun!! We did not eat at prom. Everyone went to eat before.
Maggie C says
We ate at our proms too. My senior prom was actually on a boat in downtown Cleveland (an hour away from my high school) and it was awesome! And I also wore two different shades of blue dresses for my proms.