Written By Vicki Anzmann

Prom season is nearly upon us, and for many young adults this much anticipated event is one of the most exciting of their high school lives.

Preparing and shopping for this celebration can be almost as much fun as the event itself. At the top of a girl’s list is The Dress. There are so many choices this year, but a recurring theme is “bling.” Dresses are embellished as if for royalty, and accessories are over the top. So, amid all the excitement, where is one to go for all the necessary outfitting and trappings?

In Carroll County, shoppers have a number of choices. DejሠVu in Mt. Airy has more than 3,000 dresses, and a wide selection of accessories to coordinate. DeMario Bridal features many of the current designers’ frocks. The junior’s department in Boscov’s has a significant selection of both long and short formal-occasion dresses.

Another option for prom outfitting is custom-made. To go this route, a girl has to know what she wants and be able to communicate it to a skilled dressmaker. Such a talented seamstress can be found in Sykesville: Virginia Harrison.

Finally, sometimes the school’s parent booster organization can provide another option, a dress swap. In the past, several Carroll County high school boosters have sponsored these events, so check with your school.

Flowers, limos and tuxedos are also part and parcel of the whole prom experience. We have included a list of resources for these items as well. And of course, word of mouth is another way to locate these
enterprises.

A Few Sources:

Dresses & Accessories:

  • Artworks & Apparel Boutique 29 E. Main Street, Westminster, 410-871-9590 www.artworksandapparel.com
  • Boscov’s, Town Mall, Westminster, 410-751-6660, www.boscovs.com
  • Dejá Vu Boutique 118 S. Main Street, Mt. Airy, 301-829-1707 www.shopthevu.com
  • DeMario Bridal 1019 Old Taneytown Pike, Westminster, 410-857-9195, www.demariobridal.com
  • Dressing by Virginia Virginia Harrison, Sykesville, 410-795-8521
  • Sidetracked 10 East Main Street, Westminster, 410-857-4455

Flowers

  • Blossom and Basket Boutique 3 N. Main Street, Mt. Airy, 866-774-4040, www.blossomandbasketboutique.com
  • Every Bloomin’ Thing 9 York Street, Taneytown, 410-756-1900, www.mdeverybloominthing.com
  • The Flower Box 14 W. Main Street, Westminster, www.theflowerbox.org
  • Petals Flowers and Gifts 928 S. Main Street, Hampstead, 410-239-1931, www.PetalsFlowers.com
  • Rippel’s Florist 1519 Liberty Road, Sykesville, 410-795-7273, www.ripples.com

Limousine Service

  • A Special Occasion Limousine Southern PA, 877-718-0823, www.aspecialoccasionlimo.com
  • A Touch of Class Frederick, 866-214-5466, www.atouchofclasslimousines.com
  • Lasting Impressions Westminster, 800-583-2233, www.lastingimpressions1.com
  • On the Town Limousines Mt. Airy, 301-829-7999, www.onthetownlimousines.com

Tuxedo Rental

  • Benn’s Menswear & Formalwear 535 Jermor Lane, Westminster, 410-848-8020, www.bennsmenswear.com
  • Dejá Vu Boutique 118 S. Main Street, Mt. Airy, 301-829-1707 www.shopthevu.com
  • DeMario Bridal 1019 Old Taneytown Pike, Westminster, 410-857-9195, www.demariobridal.com
  • Country View Tuxedo 15 E. Main Street, Westminster, 410-857-7601, www.countryviewtuxedo.com