I remember getting ready for my first ball; I was excited, nervous, and unsure of what to expect. And most of all, I wasn't sure what was acceptable to wear and what wasn't.

After being to several, I hope this can help you walk in there with confidence and certainty about what you're wearing and what to expect.

This event is for the service member, so wear attire that will complement it. Wear a color that matches their uniform, such as black, navy, emerald, or ruby; bright colors aren't typically worn - keep it simple and classic.

Remember, a military ball is a formal event; leave your cocktail dresses and heavy makeup at home. Here is a great tutorial to guide you on your military ball makeup. 

- DO -

• Wear solid, darker-toned colors
• Avoid any crazy slits, cut-outs and cleavage with your dress
• Wear comfortable shoes; this is not your friend's wedding, so taking off your shoes midway through is inappropriate
• Non-military men wear a suit, not a tuxedo. It can be a 2-piece or 3-piece suit and definitely wear a tie or bowtie
• Socialize - this is a great time to get to know your partner's coworkers and meet new people

- DON'T -

• Don't wear a short dress
• Don't overdo the makeup
• Don't drink too much
• Don't spend too much money on your dress, there are plenty of places you can find a perfect gown for the occasion
• Don't get up and leave during the guest speaker - make sure you use the restroom beforehand and get a drink before you sit down
• Don't speak during a toast
• Don't bother buying a corsage, this isn't prom 

- AGENDA -

Military balls usually have a timeline and adhere closely to them.

Most military balls start off with a cocktail hour, but it's best to be there at least 15min ahead of time - this time is meant to grab a drink, meet other service members and couples to get better acquainted. Remember not to overindulge, as you will probably have a receiving line, and you don't want to embarrass yourself or your service member. This is also a great time to take pictures; sometimes, they will have a professional photographer there for you to purchase pictures - these are always fun to look back on!

The receiving line is made up of guest speakers, guests of honor and their spouses, Senior Commanding Officer, and Senior Non-Commissioned Officer with their spouses. You will go through the line and shake hands with each person; when going through the line, the female typically goes first and is followed by her spouse, who will then introduce her then introduce themselves. The receiving line is typically short and lasts about 30 minutes.

Here are a couple of pro-tips when going through the receiving line:

• Keep your hands free of drinks and food; if you have anything in your hands, it should be a clutch or a small purse. If you're wearing gloves, the right hand should be uncovered to shake hands.
• Make sure the greetings are cordial and brief.
• After making it through the receiving line, head to your assigned table.

Once you find your table, you will stand in preparation for the color guard to parade the colors. Those in uniform will stand at attention, and civilians will stand quietly.

Typically there will be a program of the night ahead at your seat so you can get a good idea of what to expect throughout the evening. There will be the chaplain’s invocation, then a series of toasts will begin. These are initiated by various individuals throughout the crowd and will range from toasts to the President of the United States to toasts to the fallen. Be sure to have a glass so you can toast properly. 

Once the toasts have finished, dinner is served, usually lasting about an hour. Following dinner, the guest speaker will give their speech - be sure to give them your full attention and refrain from side conversations.

Once the guest speaker has finished, a cake will be ceremoniously cut using a military saber or sword. This happens with the most senior (or sometimes honored) guest and the most junior military member in attendance. Then the cake will be served. 

The last formal portion of the evening will be when the color guard retires the colors. Next, the dancing will begin, and the bar will open up - this is when you can begin to relax and enjoy the night - but remember, you're representing your service member so leave your dirty dance moves at home.

Below I have some tips I wish I knew before my first ball, I hope they help you feel more at ease when attending yours! Below I have some tips that can be extremely helpful.

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- TIPS -

• Eat something beforehand. Especially if you plan on drinking. The ceremony can be long, and dinner isn’t served until the ceremony is finished. We all know what happens when you drink without having food in your stomach, and this is the last place you want any of that happening. 
• Be prepared to spend some time alone. This event is for your service member, so they will probably be mingling or waiting in line for drinks. And if they're in color guard, they'll be occupied for the first hour, this is a great time to mingle with people at your table.
• Be aware of when to stand and sit. Be respectful. There is a whole ceremony before dinner with a flag procession, cake cutting, and guest speaker.
• Operation Deploy My Dress is a great resource to look for and is made for military spouses. Military spouses are allowed one outfit, pair of shoes, and a piece of jewelry per year for free. Although some installations do not have them, it's a great place to start. Also, Birdy Grey has several options to look at; they also have many bump-friendly options if you're expecting.