Debut Sample Speech

Debut speeches are usually given at the end of the celebration. It can serve as closing remarks.
Not all debutantes are comfortable in delivering speeches. Most are shy and do not like to deliver long speeches. The truth is debut speeches don't need to be long. You just need to express what you feel. Usually, debut speech is just a series of thank you messages and appreciation to your special someones. Read on the example below

Thank you for coming tonight on my debut celebration. 
I'm so happy and surprised that my parents organized a party as big as this.  I didn't expect that I will experienced an awesome celebration tonight. Mom, Dad, I love you and thanks for taking care of me for the past 18 years. 

To my friends, I appreciate your presence and heartfelt messages. I hope we can still be together on our next semesters and even after graduation. Thank you for your patience in listening to my problems, helping me on my projects, and advising me on my love life. I promise to be there for you when you need my help. 

Lastly, I would like to thank all the sponsors and those who help in providing the decorations, food, cakes and my lovely debut gown.

Please enjoy the food and the rest of the party. 


You don't need to memorize your speech. A brief outline or idea of what you to say is sufficient planning. However, expect that you are going to deliver a speech in front of several people.
Avoid stuttering, avoid long pauses and don't be nervous. I advise you to speak in any language that you are more comfortable with to avoid nervousness and stuttering.

This is your birthday. This is your day! Just have fun and share the fun while delivering your speech.

Debut Planning

An awesome debut party is achievable by dedicating enough time for planning.
Just like a student, you need to prepare.  Just like a celebrity, you need to rehearse.

Some items that you need to identify before your big day are the following:

1. Date
When do you want to celebrate your debut? On the date of your birthdate? on a weekday? on a weekend? Sunday following your birthday?
Please remember that most students and employees have classes and work on weekdays so they might be uncomfortable in weekday schedule unless they file an absence.

2. Guest List
Who are the people invited? Do you plan to invite all your classmates or just your close friends?
Make sure that you can accommodate all of them.


3. Invitation
Send your invitation early. If you can't send a card, a social media invite is a good substitute.
Post your event on facebook and invite them. Request for a reply so you can have a head count.


4.Foods
Catering or someone at home will cook all the food?  Food should be enough for the confirmed guests. Prepare some extra for unexpected visitors.


5.Venue
Is your home or garden big enough for a debut celebration? Do you have enough space for your 18 roses dance? If you have more budget, rent an event place.
Secure the date with the event place and ask for the management support.


6.Dance
There are dancers or choreographers that are willing to teach you any type of dance for a fee.
However, if you have  friends who can assit you and the cotillion dancers,  don't e shy to ask their help first.


7.Speech
After practicing your dance, practice delivering a speech. What you need to achieve is the confidence and skill to speak in front of too many people.  Deliver a message that you really want to express.


Did I miss something? What else do we need for a perfect debut plan?

Debut Program Flow Sample

Program Flow for Debut 

You can celebrate your debut anyway you want. It is your birthday. It is your party.
There are no hard rule. But I advise you to plan so you and your guests will appreciate the entire party.


Here is sample plan for debut celebration.

Guests arrival/ Registration
Serving of refreshing drinks
Welcoming Speech (From emcee or a parent )
Prayer
AVP presentation
Grand Entrance
Debutante speech
Dining (games can be organized while some are dining)
Eighteen candles (speeches)
Messages and wishes from family member
Singing of birthday song
Cutting of birthday cake
18 roses or 18 dances
Debutante’s speech
Distribution of Giveaways and Prizes
Party

There are other debut program flow samples out there like the one from Debut Ideas website. Debut program flows are similar to each other because the main activities for debut program are the same: prayer, dining, 18 roses, debutante speech. Again, there's no strict rule for debut celebration as long as you keep yourself and your audience happy.

Here are my other tips for debut program:

1.Reserve food for late comers
   (Kawawa naman kung maubusan, may regalo pa naman atang dala)
2.Assign a person who can assists your guests to their seats.
 (Kailangan may mag-asikaso sa mga taong mahiyain)
3.Always give your guest a reason to stay till the end of your party
  (Iwasan natin ang pagkakaron ng mga bisitang eat-and-run)
4.Huwag kalimutan magpasalamat
 (Chance mo na 'to para magfeeling artista at mag-thank you sa mga sponsor)

Glam Rock Theme for Debut

Theme for Debut: Glam Rock

Glam Rock is also known as glitter rock. Glam rock is a good choice for debut theme or 18th birthday because glam rock attires or costume are widely available. One might no longer need to buy.

By the way, its hard to differentiate glam rock with punk rock.  For me, glam rock is just the same with punk rock but glam rock is less wild and less outrageous. Glam rock is glamorous!







Photo from https://www.flickr.com/photos/luminarie/3696114218





Going EMO
The simplest style for glam rock are jeans, black shirts and some accessories. Silver and metallic accessories looks good with black outfit. White is also a good combination for black suits and dresses .

For shoes, go for boots!
The easiest trick for a glam rock is putting on eye liner.


If you want more ideas for a glam rock look, you can search for famous artist who wears rock or glam rock like attires like Adam Lambert and Daniel Padilla.

Where to find glam rock accessories?

SM department stores. Bracelets, necklaces, earrings,gloves   They have lots of them at cheap prices.
However, you may find more appropriate items on other stalls.

People are People.  Tried and tested. I bought here a bracelet with spikes at a discounted price.
The bracelet is long enough to be worn as a necklace and even as a belt.

I also bought a pair of black gloves with zipper. The gloves I bought doesn't look like gloves for motorbikes.
It looks like intently tailored for celebration such as debut party.

Tiangge or tyange.  Small stores selling accessories may offer you cool items at a cheap price like bracelets for 50 pesos, dog tag for 50 pesos, belts at around 100 pesos. Before you buy, please note that some tyangge items may not be as durable and they may break easily.   In tiyangge, you may find cool stuffs at a very low price but they might not last long.  

Debut Gift Ideas

Is it good to give cash on 18th birthday? What do you think is a good gift for debut? How about the best gift give for debut that you received?

For me, its not OK to give cash for 18th birthday. Cash is more reasonable to give on other occasions like wedding because couple needs money to start with their married life. Nowadays, its common that couples appreciate cash gifts more and they usually state that on their invitation with a creative quote.
..
But you should believe that a gift is worth giving,
an envelope for our future is a delightful blessing

That's a part of a message of my recently received wedding invitation. Quotes like this are unusual for debut celebrations.The closest thing similar to cash  that I feel comfortable to give are cash coupons that can be exchange for items or services on selected malls or restaurants.

For debut,  aside form cash coupons, you can  also give wrapped gifts like dress, bags, gadgets, and women's accessories. Powerbanks, monopod, external hard drives are some useful gadgets that every girl will likely to appreciate.

If you are low on budget but you have lots of time in preparing a surprise, making a scrapbook full of your photos together is a good alternative.   You can also make a video presentation and gather written and video messages from your close friends and classmates in High school and college.

Message for Debut Celebrant

A good debut message will come from the heart and not from the internet. But short articles may help you express your feelings.

By the way, the correct word to use to describe the birthday girl is the celebrator and NOT celebrant.
Celebrant is defined as one who performs religious rites like a priest. It's not unusual to hear celebrant but its safer to use celebrator. If you don't feel comfortable using celebrant or celebrator, call her birthday girl.

Think of what you really want to say.  
Do you want her to laugh? Use some knock knock jokes or nice pickup lines.
Do you want her to be inspired? You can add inspirational quotes
Do you want to reveal her secrets or trivias about her ?
Do you want to add some wish for the birthday girl?
Most message about birthdays will tell about success. This might mean happiness, money, money or more money, spiritual enlightenment, good health, more birthdays, more friends, happy family, high grades or a boyfriend. You can share your wish for some of the things I shared above


Be Honest. You know you that you need to be


Don't be Shy. If you're the birthday celebrant, you also want to hear a message from your family and friends.  No one will bite you. Nothing bad will happen if you stand up and speak up.She is special to you, remember?

Make the message long enough.  I experienced giving a message to a long time friend. All I said was 'We've been together for so very long. I will miss you'. Now, I feel that my message is too short. It sounded that my short statement contradicts our long journey together. Avoid making the mistake that I did. Make your message long enough. It doesn't need to be a 2 hour speech though haha.

Express your support. You know this.. This is the time when you say .. I will always be here for you

Smile, Kiss or Hug the celebrant.  Actions can speak better than words

Mobile Cocktail Bar for Debut Party

Mobile Bar for 18th Birthday Celebration

If you have your parents approval for mobile bar, it will definitely look good on your venue.
Because mobile bars adds amazing colors to a party.

There are 2 or 3 mobile bars at the Megamall event Wedding and Debut event but I missed to capture all of their names.

Here are some mobile bar photos