Every year, the dedicated Campus Activities Board of CNU hosts the “Captain’s Ball”, a formal dance for the students and invited guests to live out their ballgown dreams. Think of a much needed redo of high school prom where you get to wear whatever fancy attire you prefer, attend with your newfound college friends, and dance to music that is actually excitable. This winter’s theme is “Enchanted Forest” with fairy lights, succulents and greenery, with a dash of whimsy to accompany it. May the miraculous forest festivities begin!
Inspiration: Rapunzel
I had bought a second hand prom ballgown from a locally owned business ran by a woman who wants to give a royal personalized experience for her customers. The gold swirl design with purple flowers reminds me of the sun drawing pattern from the iconic Disney movie: Tangled. My matching overgrown locks also match the character of Rapunzel, so I decided to base my style inspiration on her. Bright lillies and sunflowers, flittering butterflies and fire lanterns, satiny lace and corsets… all will be incorporated into my complete, fully-realized modern replica of the Grimm fairytale.
the bippity boppity boo
Blend BT21 gold and purple shimmery eyeshadow, a brown winged eyeliner for a subtle, neutral tone, and L’OREAL Lash Paradise mascara. My sweet mother graciously curled my 24 inch long Rapunzel-like hair for 60 minutes and furnished it off with Amazon Butterfly Clips that move and dangle! Fully committed to this real life Rapunzel homage, I accessorized with gold jewelry like hanging sun-dial earrings, a dainty choker to match the floral pattern in the dress, and flashy glitter nails. Think Olivia Rodrigo’s 2022 Met Gala look meets early 2000s Disney princess combined with a woodland faerie.
The Carriage awaits
The DSU ballroom was completely renovated to resemble a rich forest fairytale. Warm, glowing fairy lights hung from the walls amongst sheer, silky curtain drapes while elegant white floral arrangements floated down from the ceiling. Imagine the magical Pixie Hollow from Tinkerbell in reality, and the Campus Activities Board delivered exactly that! Students arrived, dressed to the nines, ready to party like it was Midsommar. Guys and gals alike wore decorated leaf crowns, flowers and greenery entwined in hair, and even twisted horn headbands like Maleficent. Emerald green certainly was the choice color of the night! People definitely understood the assignment dressing on brand with the enchanted, ethereal theme. One man made a fashionable arrival with a wooden grand staff like a woodsy warlock! The dance floor looked like all my favorite YA fantasy characters came to life.
The clock strikes midnight
My date (aka my best friend) and I spent over an hour actually in appearance at the ball. The attendees got to request their favorite dance anthems via QR code and they had the time of their life busting it down to Billy Joel. Personally, I was not a fan of some of the jams so I rarely got to perform my moves on the main floor. The appetizers offered were emulating very high-class fancy function vibes with sushi, bruschetta, and a chocolate dessert fountain on the menu. The juicy strawberries were crafted by the horticulture gods themselves. After an adequate amount of people watching, my party of two left to grab dinner from Chick-fil-A to end the eventful night.
Happily ever after: Review
Overall, I was genuinely surprised and satisfied with the production quality of the ball. The décor and the fashion themselves seemed professional and couture. My sole experiences with school dances involve flimsy streamers and LED lights in a gymnasium. CNU elevated the atmosphere to the next level by pulling out all the stops to ensure an otherworldly experience for their paying customers. My money and time were well spent amongst the good company, amazing visuals, and encompassing ambience of the regal ball. I had been eagerly anticipating this event with high expectations and the ball exceeded my princess fantasies! However, snapping photos and getting ready in front of the vanity will always be my favorite aspect of an event (the shared feminine experience).
