A cotillion teaches young teenagers ballroom etiquette and social graces.
Practicing formal etiquette, ballroom dancing and social graces defines the true essence of a cotillion. Historically designed to present young women to society, modern cotillion is an event that teaches teens and college students the art of attending and conducting themselves at formal gatherings. It provides them a platform to practice the dances, conversation skills, social behavior and manners they have been taught. Pay attention to detail while planning the cotillion to make it memorable and enjoyable for everyone involved.
Instructions
1. Select the venue for the cotillion months in advance. Visit a few formal halls that include a dance area and dining room. Make the final selection based on the number of people expected to attend the cotillion, the building's occupancy limit and your budget.
2. Make a list of essentials for the cotillion, and keep checking off the items as you complete them. Note the number of people to invite, invitations, seating, items for decorations, musicians, playlist, tableware needed and the menu. Add items to the list as you think of them.
3. Send invitations weeks in advance. Depending on personal taste and your budget, design the invitations yourself -- many word-processing and desktop publishing applications, such as Microsoft Word, have template invitations you can customize and print on card stock -- or purchase them. Include the venue, date and time and the dress code for the evening.
4. Hire local dance instructors to lead dances so the cotillion flows smoothly. The dancers can also help teens in need of pointers. Ideally, the person planning the cotillion acts as the instructor, but if you teach multiple classes, having others help you better ensures a successful event.
5. Hire a band or local D.J. for the evening. Make a list of music to play at the cotillion; the list should include a range of classics along with a few modern tracks to allow guests to practice all their dance steps.
6. Plan the decorations beforehand so you have them ready a few days before the cotillion. Cotillion dances are formal events with elegant decor, so consider decorating the venue with flower bouquets, wreaths and attractive linens. Select subtle shades such as peach, baby pink, white, light yellow or lavender; use flowers accordingly. Decide on the number of floral arrangements you will need and their placement in the venue. Decorate the entrance with tall plants. Design an elegant name card for each guest to encourage him or her to participate during the dance.
7. Determine the menu for the cotillion and the number of courses you want to serve. Ideally, serve at least three courses. Request the caterer to deliver the food early so you have plenty of time to set it on the tables. If budget does not allow for a caterer, you could round up a group of volunteers to cook the food well in advance of the event; or ask a teacher if his high school's home economics class could offer its services.
8. Select the tableware for the evening. The purpose of the cotillion is also to teach young guests the etiquette of fine dining, so plan to include china, dishes and cutlery for the number of courses you are going to serve along with different glasses and napkins. Select the linen for each table along with an appropriate centerpiece.
