Fraternities at Alabama fortunately have the privilege of going to New Orleans, Louisiana for their annual spring formals. Each fraternity guy gets to ask one lucky lady to formal for what they hope to be a rowdy weekend away from school. Formals start around the end of January and go through the Mardi Gras season till the end of February. As a senior, I've been to four formals over the past three years. Some of these formals have been an absolute blast, while others have been a bit of a bust to say the least. I'm no expert on the in's and out's of NOLA, but I would say I've just about mastered the art of successfully making it through a formal weekend. With these tips, I hope you're able to do the same. Have some fun, but stay safe my friends.
1. Don't ask anyone to be your date if you aren't close with them (i.e. close friend or boyfriend/girlfriend). A random date could lead to a very awkward formal experience. Like the whole "sharing a bed" part... You're not going to want to sleep next to someone you don't know who ends up to be a total stick in the mud or just a sucky human being.
2. After your freshman year, making a cooler is not necessary. Guys - don't expect the girls to do it after freshman year. It's a lot of work and takes a lot of time. Many end up looking like crap anyway and all the paint eventually chips off, especially on the bus ride there.
3. Stick to beer on the bus ride there unless you absolutely detest beer. If you're not a big fan of beer, go with something light and watch your consumption. You don't want to be the one puking in the tiny bus bathroom or all over your date. They won't be happy with you and neither will the other people on the bus. You can totally have a great time without being the most inebriated person on the bus.
4. Plan your outfits beforehand and try not to forget your actual "formal attire." Guys, you don't want to be stuck buying a brand new suit or borrowing one from a pledge brother that is way too small for you.
5. Even though you really, reeeeaally want to, DO NOT consume more than ONE street cart beverage (i.e. Hand Grenades, Fish Bowls, Jell-O Syringes, etc.). You can argue with me all day long about how "yummy" the drinks are and all that good stuff, but I can promise you that your hangover will be a MONSTER the next day. You will not get out of bed until the formal. You will not explore New Orleans. You WILL feel worse than you would if you stuck to normal alcoholic beverages like beer and vodka Sprites.
6. On Saturday, explore as much of New Orleans as you can. Get up early, eat a good breakfast, have a few mimosas and commence mild day drinking. While you're in a cool and historic city, you'll regret it if you don't make the most of it. I recommend the French Market and Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar. Lafitte's is New Orleans' oldest bar and it's a really cool spot. You can get awesome one-of-a-kind drinks and sit outside and enjoy the slightly warmer weather.
7. If you're a seafood fan, get yourself some oysters on the half shell. Just about any oysters you find in New Orleans will be absolutely worth the money you'll spend on them if you go to a decent place.
8. Respect your date. Girls - the guys are spending a lot of money to go on this trip and they asked you as their guest. Guys - just because you took the girl to formal doesn't mean they're subject to your commands all weekend. Respect each other, party together and have fun.
9. At formal, take advantage of the open bar. It's free. We're in college. We love free things. Especially drinks.
10. Take a ton of pictures. You can weed out the bad ones when you get home, but you're going to want to document all your drunken adventures. As our parents say, "You'll love looking back at old photos when you're 50."
11. When it's time to go home, take a Dramamine and PTFO. You had a long weekend and it's time for a nap. Don't be the one who brings the stinky Subway tuna sandwich on the bus for all the hungover people to smell.
When it's all said and done, give yourself a big pat on the back for getting through the weekend. You deserve it. If you're not a senior, get excited for next year!
