Prom Spot - Prom Spotlight: Emily & Ryan in Champaign, IL

After music rehearsal one night, Emily Abbott arrived at her car to find flowers and a note waiting for her. Emily's good guy friend, Ryan, who had arranged the surprise, went up to her at her car and asked her to prom. Emily hugged him and of course said yes, she says. "He's the sweetest guy I've ever met, and an amazing person!"

SHE IS Emily, 16, junior
HER DATE IS Ryan, 18, senior
DAY OF PROM May 17
THE SCHOOL Champaign Central High School, Champaign, IL
THE SCENE Lincoln Square Mall, Urbana, IL

PROM PERFECT A born perfectionist, Emily began planning for prom in March, about two months before the big night. "I was more excited than stressed while planning for prom," she says. Emily bought her dress -- a beaded one-shoulder coral number -- at a local bridal store. "It was beautiful. I normally go for plainer, more classic dresses but once I put the dress on, I fell in love!" When it came to shoes, Emily had some leeway. Since Ryan is 6'5" and she's 5'7", Emily got a pair of silver shoes with 3" heels. As far as accessories went, Emily decided to keep it simple with long rhinestone earrings from Wet Seal and a rhinestone ring from Target. "I called it my 'bling,'" she jokes.

COMPLETING THE LOOK The day of prom, Emily headed to the salon for a glam updo, which she loved. To save some cash, she opted to do her own makeup. "It worked out really well because I did a 'test drive' a few days before where I figured out my perfect look." She wore Only Givenchy perfume. Ryan got Emily a corsage of white sweetheart roses. She bought him a simple white rose boutonniere. "I didn't want to get anything too out there," she tells us, "because that's just not Ryan."

ON THE RED CARPET Ryan borrowed a BMW for the night, and the couple met up with some mutual friends at a restaurant before the prom. After dinner, the group headed to the dance. Think malls are just for shopping? Think again! Emily's high school held its prom at the Lincoln Square Mall in Urbana, Illinois. The theme was "A Red Carpet Affair," complete with huge Oscar statues and, yes, a real red carpet. "The decorations were awesome," recalls Emily. "All the parents did an amazing job." Couples were announced to the crowd as they walked in -- just like awards night in Hollywood! The DJ spun tunes -- including Champaign Central's prom song, "A Moment Like This" by Kelly Clarkson -- as students danced the night away. A notable absence on the dance floor? Emily and Ryan. "Neither Ryan nor I are very big dancers," Emily confesses, "so we didn't dance much. We had fun anyway, though!"

AFTER THE PROM Emily grabbed her date and snuck out of the dance early to change clothes and get some alone time together before Post-Prom -- a school-sponsored event at a nearby bowling alley, complete with prize giveaways (Emily won a prize), food, a local band -- even a mechanical bull. "It was really, really fun!" she remarks. After Post-Prom, a very sleepy Emily, Ryan, and a few others spent the night at the house of one of the girls in their prom group. The next day, the group spent a relaxing afternoon in the park. They brought a picnic lunch, and just hung out and enjoyed the day. Finally, the humidity got the best of them and they went to the movies, but an exhausted Emily couldn't keep her eyes open. "I fell asleep!" she laughs.

WISE WORDS Is there a prom or other big party in your future? Emily offers the following advice: "Just relax and have fun! It will be everything you've ever dreamed of if you just make having fun your first priority. Another fun idea is to have lunch with a good girlfriend or two on prom day. You can help calm each other's nerves and talk about how excited you are!"

--Jackie Fisherman