Matric farewells that have been witnessed for the past ten years or so are nothing short of being seen as a practice run for a wedding.

The prices that people pay for dresses or suits, photos, a send-off at home and all the other glamorous things that come with it has really evolved over time. But before we get into the heavy stuff like budgets, let’s start off with a simple checklist.

As the matric farewell fever sparks up again, it is important that the young ladies and gentlemen know exactly what to do and when.

According to the theroomlink.co.za, your checklist should look something like this:

1. Your date – this is one of the first things one should sort out, right after you receive the invitation.
2. The dress/suit, accessories and shoes – this comes straight after your partner has been contacted and confirmed so that you can decide on colours and start planning outfits.
3. The beauty appointments – these are both for guys and girls, it includes nails, haircuts and hairdos, make-up and the trials before the actual day.
4. The photo shoot - book the photographer and the venue that you would like.
5. The car - this is something one needs to look at early in the planning because once your car is booked out, it’s gone.
6. The after party - if you decided the official after party is not for you and your friends, book your own venue and plan a party.

And these are apparently only the basics. Each and every step on this list needs to be planned as well, from how to creatively ask your date - called a prom-posal, deciding if the dress will be made or bought, colours that go with your skin and even poses for your pictures.

Above all else though, the most important thing is to go out and enjoy your night, one spends months planning this magical event and then it’s over in a blink of an eye. Don’t concern yourself with what anyone else is doing or wearing, it’s your night too.

OFM News/Sazly Hartzenberg