Last Updated on October 7th, 2026 at 02:13 am
Prom is a night to remember, and it’s easy to forget something in the excitement. Planning prom in the UK? Use this prom planning checklist for girls to make sure you’ve got everything covered, from your dress and shoes to your tickets and a bag packed for the night.
Want to know when to do each thing? Our prom preparation timeline gives you the month-by-month plan. This page is the “what you need” list.
What do you need for prom?
At the very least, you need a ticket, an outfit and shoes, a plan for getting there and back, and a small bag with the essentials. To feel properly prepared, add hair and makeup (booked or planned), accessories that go with your outfit, and a plan for photos and the after-party. The checklist below covers all of it.
Outfit
- Your dress (or suit or set). Browse early and order in good time. Every HappyProm dress is made to order, so allow about nine weeks before prom. See when to buy your prom dress for order-by dates, and our 2027 prom dress trends for ideas.
- Shoes that are comfortable as well as pretty. You’ll be wearing them all night.
- Accessories: jewellery, a clutch and a wrap or jacket if your dress is thin or strappy. Try everything on with the dress itself to check how it looks together.
- Underwear and extras: the right undergarments for your neckline, tights if you need them, and heel pads for dancing.
- Flowers (optional): a corsage or buttonhole. Order ahead for pickup on the day, and coordinate with your date’s outfit if you like.
Tip: wear your shoes around the house in the weeks before prom to avoid blisters on the night.
Hair, makeup and nails
- Decide on a look that suits your outfit and neckline. See our guide to matching your prom hairstyle to your dress neckline.
- Book appointments early. Hair, makeup and nail appointments fill up quickly in prom season.
- Do a trial run of your hair and makeup, whether professional or DIY, so there are no surprises on the night.
Tickets, transport and plans
- Your ticket. Sale dates depend on your school, and prices sometimes rise closer to the date, so buy sooner rather than later.
- Transport there and back: a lift, a taxi, a group booking or public transport. Confirm it with your group and make sure everyone knows the pickup time.
- Dinner or pre-prom plans, if you’re having them. Book ahead if you need a reservation.
- After-party plans. Talk with your group about what happens after the dance, so nobody is left without a plan.
Photos and memories
- Pick your photo spots. Decide where you’ll take pictures before the dance, and let your driver or group know where to meet.
- Charge your phone and take plenty of photos you’ll want to look back on.
Your prom-night bag
| Item | Why You Need It |
| Fashion Tape | Keeps strapless dresses in place, secures plunging necklines, prevents gaping, and tapes bra straps to your skin so they don’t show |
| Safety Pins | Emergency fixes for broken straps, loose hems, or unexpected wardrobe malfunctions. Pack multiple sizes. |
| Silicone Nipple Covers | Smooth, invisible coverage under thin or light-colored fabrics, especially if you’re going braless |
| Stain Remover Pen | Quick fixes for food or makeup spills before they set into the fabric |
| Deodorant Wipes | Stay fresh during hours of dancing, especially in fitted or non-breathable fabrics |
| Blister Pads | Because even broken-in heels can cause discomfort after hours of wear. Apply at the first sign of rubbing. |
| Mini Sewing Kit | For quick hem repairs or reattaching loose embellishments. Bring thread that matches your dress. |
| Clear Nail Polish | Stops runs in sheer fabric or tights from spreading. Can also secure loose threads temporarily. |
Keep this kit in a small clutch, your car, or have a friend hold it. You’ll be grateful to have these items on hand when minor issues arise!
If you’re staying elsewhere afterwards, add an overnight bag with toiletries, pyjamas and clothes for the next day.
Budget
Prom costs add up, from the dress to tickets, transport, hair and makeup. Our prom cost guide breaks it down.
When should you do each thing?
- A few months before: choose your outfit, book appointments, buy your ticket, plan your look.
- A month before: plan photos and after-party, sort alterations and transport, break in your shoes.
- Two weeks before: confirm bookings, do your trial run, order flowers, gather essentials, sleep well.
- Prom day: pack your bag, get to appointments on time, and enjoy the night.
For the full plan, including a prom-day schedule, see our prom preparation timeline.
Prom Checklist FAQ
A ticket, an outfit and comfortable shoes, transport, a small bag with essentials, and a plan for photos and the after-party. Hair and makeup are optional but worth booking early.
ID, keys, phone and charger, lipstick, blotting papers, mints, spare bobby pins, safety pins, fashion tape and blister pads.
Ideally a few months before prom. If your dress is made to order, plan to order it about nine weeks before.
You don’t have to, but appointments fill quickly in prom season, so book early if you want a professional.
Looking for your dress? Browse our Prom Dresses 2027 collection. Every dress is made to your measurements.
