Prom night is a big night for both teens and parents. Teens celebrate being one step closer to adulthood. Parents worry about their kids being safe and losing control. But in the midst of it all, there's the fun and excitement of preparing for the evening.

From outfits to transportation and accommodations, there's a lot to think about and plan.

Are Accommodations Necessary?

Many teens want to stay in a hotel after prom. Whether or not you allow this is a personal decision, but if it's part of the plan, make sure that you start looking and book the room well in advance.

Prom season is busy, and rooms will sell out quickly.

If your teen is going with a big group of people, consider a group booking to save money. Keep in mind that hotels will not rent to high school students, so there is a good chance that the room will need to be booked in your name.

How Will Your Teen Get to Prom?

How will your teen get to prom and back home (or to the hotel room)? Some teens prefer to drive their own cars. Others want to take a limo. Some parents prefer to drive their teens.

If you're going the limo route, be sure to book in advance. Like with hotel rooms, limo services tend to book up quickly.

You'll have a lot of options when booking transportation. You can stick with something simple, or if you have the budget, you can book something more extravagant. Some companies use custom coach builders to outfit their vehicles with luxurious features. These vehicles are obviously more expensive, but you may feel it is worth the cost for your teen's prom – a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Pre-Prom Gathering

If your teen is going to prom with a group of friends, you'll want to figure out where everyone will meet and when. If the kids will meet up at your house, make sure that you have food on hand while everyone gets ready and waits to leave.

Girls may need to make hair, bikini trimmers and nail appointments, so make sure these are scheduled in advance and that your teen will have enough time to finish getting ready without rushing. Girls may also want to get ready together, so make sure that you accommodate them by giving them space and help when needed.

Lay Down the Ground Rules

Prom can be a little stressful for parents. Make sure your teen understands the rules. Talk about drinking, driving, curfews, sex and drugs. Vigilance is key, so make sure that nobody in the group is carrying a portable vape or a glass hand pipe. Have a communication plan in place for after-prom activities.

If your teen is going anywhere after prom, you may want to have him or her call at certain times to check in. While no parent wants their teen to break the rules, you need to be prepared for this possibility. Make sure that your teen trusts you enough to feel comfortable calling you to come pick her up if she does drink or do drugs. Safety is the most important thing. You can deal with the consequences of this behavior in the morning.