The new Year 12 school formals trend that’s exploding in popularity

A new trend for senior formals is sweeping Aussie schools – but after videos went viral on social media, some principals are now banning students from taking part.

An elaborate new formal trend is sweeping Australian schools – but unlike the glitz and glamour of the main event, this takes place months beforehand.

Students are increasingly taking part in the showstopping art of “promposals”, a dramatic and creative way to ask someone to be your date on the biggest night of the school leavers’ calendar.

The staged event originates from the US where Americans have been going all-out for decades, but videos flooding social media show the “school formal proposal” is now rapidly growing in popularity here too.

One recipient of the new Aussie tradition is 17-year-old Lilly Devlin, whose boyfriend of seven-months Riley Exelby, surprised her at their Queensland high school with a very extravagant invitation.

Walking into school at 10am on a typical Wednesday morning, the pupil was stunned as she was surrounded by a never-ending line of teenagers, all clapping and cheering.

“It was quite overwhelming, everyone was just so happy for us, and as I walked down the path some of my best friends were handing me flowers,” the teenager told news.com.au.

“It was so nice, it made me feel really special.”

At the end of the aisle, Riley was waiting for her with chocolates and a pot plant in his hands, as his friends surrounded him holding signs that read: F-O-R-M-A-L?

After sealing the deal with a kiss, Lilly – who by this point was clutching a huge bouquet of red roses, pink lilies and white baby’s breath – turned to the crowd of watching students and gave the ultimate sign of approval: a thumbs up.

Lilly Devlin, 17, was surprised with a school formal proposal at her Queensland high school recently. Picture: Supplied

Her boyfriend Riley Exelby had spent weeks planning the elaborate invitation. Picture: Supplied

Later, she shared a video of the heartwarming moment on TikTok, with the caption: “We [Australian flag emoji] not [United States flag emoji]. FORMAL? YESSS!!!”

The clip quickly blew up, amassing hundreds of thousands of views in a matter of days, many agreeing they couldn’t believe formal proposals were now a thing.

“This being in Australia makes it more impressive,” noted one.

“School wasn’t that cute when I went to formal,” said another.

Riley said it took him several weeks to plan everything, explaining the hardest part was keeping it from Lilly.

“She had no idea what was happening, it all worked out pretty well in the end,” he told news.com.au.

“I think we’re the first people to ever have a school formal proposal at our school, it’s kind of cool to know we’ll go down in history.”

While many social media users declared the stunt “adorable”, arguing that Riley – who is also 17 – had “set the bar high” for the other kids, some schools have started to crack down on students.

Aquinas College, an elite secondary school on the Gold Coast, reportedly banned students from “promposing” to their dates for formal at the end of last year.

It also allegedly threatened one student, who was keen to partake in the blossoming tradition, with suspension.

The tradition originated in the US but has been rapidly growing in popularity here too. Picture: TikTok

The reasoning behind taking strict action against promposals comes from the school’s concerns about videos being shared on social media, the Courier Mail reported at the time.

But kids at the school argued it was “wrong”, with one unnamed student stating: “It shines the light on love, friendship and kindness within the school community.”

Lilly’s mum, Beck Devlin, said that unlike other formal trends – which are often costly – this was just a heartfelt display of affection.

“I thought it was just beautiful of Riley to make my daughter’s formal so memorable, to go to such trouble, and not just him, but it was also his mum and dad and his sister who helped orchestrate everything, it was just so special,” she told news.com.au.

“There was a lot of planning behind the scenes, and trying to hide it from Lilly, but it all came together so beautifully.

“School formals can put a lot of pressure on kids, but what Riley has shown here, is back to basics love and respect. It doesn’t have to cost a lot of money.”

Lilly’s mum said it was a ‘beautiful’ gesture from her daughter’s boyfriend – and one that doesn’t cost a lot of money like other school formal traditions do. Picture: Supplied

Florists are also reporting a boom in bouquet sales as teens turn to flowers to help secure the deal. Picture: TikTok

Other videos filmed and shared on social media show similar scenes happening at schools across the country.

One clip on TikTok shows a young girl receiving a pink bouquet from her suitor in front of a large crowd of uniform-clad students with the caption, “hello hello formal date”.

While another shows a hopeful Year 12 boy taking hold of a microphone during a sports assembly to ask out the girl he’d like by his side at the annual school event.

The rise in popularity has also seen florists experience a boom, with Brisbane business Unveiling Poppy, selling a large number of items specifically for proposals.

“School formal proposals with custom luxe floral bouquets have become very popular, especially with our local students,” owner, Amy Gurling, told news.com.au.

“It’s a trend that is definitely on the rise, but we also sell a lot of formal corsages for the big event too.”

With Lilly and Riley not set to celebrate until November 19, the hunt is now on for the perfect couple outfits.

“I’m wearing a red gown and one of our friends has a big Ford F-250 truck which we’ll be taking, it is so exciting,” she said.

“It’s definitely going to be a night we’ll remember forever.”

Originally published as The new Year 12 school formals trend that’s exploding in popularity