It’s 10:30 on a Thursday night. You’re sitting on your bed, phone in one hand, a half-eaten cookie in the other, scrolling through promposals on Pinterest. Your heart races a little. How do you even ask someone to prom?
Prom, one of the most anticipated traditions for juniors and seniors took place at the Riverside Art Museum, with the romantic theme “A Tale as Old as Time.” But before the dancing and dressing up came one of the biggest questions of the season. How do you ask someone to prom?
Choosing a date:
“I think that the most important thing is to choose someone you’re comfortable with and know you would have fun with,” said Samantha Crawford (‘26), “You can just like them platonically; going to prom with someone as friends is just as fun as going to prom with someone romantically.”
Whether you ask your crush, a close friend, or go alone, your prom experience is what you make of it. Not everyone wants a date as more students are realizing that attending prom alone or with a group of friends is just as fun, if not more.
“This is a really cool opportunity to talk to someone new or talk to someone you’re interested in,” said Evan Chang (‘26).
Whether you’re going with a date or as friends, the most important thing is to go with someone you think you will have a good time with.
Making the poster:
Promposals can be intimidating, but they don’t have to be over the top. The best promposals are ones that build a connection with the other person. Think about what the person you’re asking loves – whether it’s a favorite snack, an inside joke, or a fun memory – and use that as your starting point.
“Try to figure out their favorite hobbies in conversations and make your promposal relevant to them because it makes it feel more personal,” said Geniya Parker (‘26). “It’s also a good idea to check in with friends of the person you’re asking to find out their favorite flower, snacks, or drinks.
For boarding students who can’t easily get off campus, asking a day student friend for help picking up flowers or treats is a great solution. Trader Joe’s has a wide variety of affordable bouquet options or local florists in Claremont, like Wisteria Grove and Sherwood Florist can arrange something more customized. Webb also offers weekend runs to places like Target and Trader Joes and boarders can sign up to buy supplies for their promposal. Ultimately, it is not only about being elaborate but being intentional and showing that you put effort into your promposal.
The asking:
When it comes to the actual promposal, there is one rule that always applies: respect. Not everyone wants a public promposal, and what feels fun to one person might feel overwhelming to another. If you don’t know them well, it’s always a good idea to check in with their friend to make sure they’re comfortable.
Popular Webb locations for promposals include the Price Dining Hall, Fawcett Library, and Stockdale Community Center. These spots are practical for visibility and loud cheering, but if the person you are asking is more private, asking during a free block surrounded by close friends might be better than a crowd.
“It really depends on whether or not someone wants to keep it private or have a bigger public asking. It’s mainly up to personal preference,” said Ben Madanski (‘26), “There are also restrictions for boarding students, so they don’t have the freedom to ask outside of school.”
There is also debate around whether to ask via text first and then do a public proposal. Some feel that it ruins the surprise while others believe that it is necessary to ensure consent and comfortability.
“I think it really depends on the person because I know some people don’t like surprises, but I think if you’ve already pre-established that you’re interested in going together, a surprise poster would probably be the best choice,” said Geniya.
In either case, the priority should be making sure the other person feels comfortable.
Whether you’re planning a grand gesture or a simple ask, the most important thing is to be genuine and considerate. At the end of the day, prom is all about making memories with friends and people you care about.
