A debutante ball is a formal dance during which a young lady, usually 18 years of age, is presented to society. The ball is typically a very elegant affair, requiring full black-or-white-tie dress, ballroom music and a special three-course meal.
STEPS IN PLANNING A DEBUTANTE BALL
Draft a preliminary guest list as soon as possible. Although you can make additions to it later, having a guest list will give you an idea of how big a venue you need and how much food needs to be prepared.
Find a venue. Make sure it's either already tastefully decorated or easily transformable into an elegant ballroom. Be sure that it can accommodate your entire guest list.
Figure out whether you want to have the debutante ball catered or not. Making the food yourself may save a lot of money, but having it catered can make things easier on you.
Think about how you're going to decorate for the ball. Some families like to have a general theme, like a costume ball or an evening in Paris. You can ask the debutante how she feels about having a theme and what her thoughts are on decorations.
Look at several different styles of invitations. Decide whether you want formal invitations, with engraving and reply cards, or informal invitations made on a computer with a telephone number as an RSVP.
Plan to have at least one rehearsal evening where the debutante can practice her reception and dancing with her escort and her family. Similar to a wedding rehearsal, this will help make the actual debutante ball run smoother, as everyone will know what they are supposed to be doing.
Hire professional entertainment. Whether you decide to get a DJ or a small band is up to you, but musical entertainment is a must for a debutante ball.
Consider hiring a coordinator to help you plan a debutante ball. Professional coordinators often have access to vendors and entertainers and can negotiate better prices. You may be able to book a package deal that would cost you less money than if you tried to take care of everything yourself.
DEBUT TRADITIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES
The début begins with a priest giving a blessing before the ball. Eighteen of the débutante's closest girlfriends and family present her a cake with eighteen candles to be blown out. Then eighteen roses are presented by eighteen male friends and family while dancing to a "slow song." The dance of eighteen roses follows a traditional format. First to dance is the débutante's father, (if the father is absent, a senior family member may stand as a father figure), next are the Family members, ranging from brothers to cousins in the same age range, then the débutante's closest male friends, afterwards her escort, then the last dance will be the male whom her heart treasures the most. The selection of the eighteen dances will be under the débutante's discretion.
Traditionally, the débutante leaves the ball at midnight or not until most of her immediate family has left. Another tradition is for all young males at the event to drink to each letter of the débutante's name. Modern variations have since been introduced, such as the giving of eighteen symbolic gifts or the replacement of roses with tulips, among other things.
The débutante, her escort and her court (nine couples, for a total of 18 people all together, including the débutante couple) learn and perform the cotillion de honor. This dance either consists of a waltz or the traditional Filipino aristocratic dance "rigodon."
Most females who are débutantes are from rich upper class families. It is said that the number of débuts females and males have been involved in, as a cotillion member, serves as a mark of their popularity.
