“I just basically said, ‘Let’s go get your tux.’” This is how Holly Springs High School senior Taylor Ekman describes the way she asked — or told — boyfriend Will Scott they were going to prom.

Prom is a must-attend event for most teens and Ekman is no exception. The 18-year-old has already been to two proms as an underclassman but wouldn’t dream of missing the last one. The fact that her boyfriend is in college wasn’t going to stop her either.

“He’s a trooper, so he didn’t mind having to go back to a high school dance,” she said.

With boyfriend, tux and date — May 16 — lined up, all Ekman had left was a few details: nails, hair, dress, shoes, accessories, flowers, dinner reservations, photos and after-party. Well, maybe more than a few. But for girls the planning is one the best parts of the experience, if a little overwhelming.

“It’s basically me doing all the work,” she said.

The following is a snapshot of Ekman’s prom day from start to finish, capturing some of the moments her parents’ cameras may have missed.

8:30 a.m.

It’s a Saturday, but Ekman gets up early to get the flowers she pre-ordered from a local florist. It is not a promising beginning.

“They were brown,” she said. “I ordered cream. I was so mad.”

She chooses not to have a meltdown and instead makes a detour to Harris Teeter. A helpful florist puts together a last-minute arrangement.

Trying to blow off the first potential disaster of prom day, she’s off to pick up her best friend, McKenzie Finch, for a little pampering.

10:30 a.m.

Ekman and Finch, 16, go to Happy Nails in Holly Springs for a pre-prom manicure and pedicure. Open-toed sandals are a popular choice this year, and perfect nails are a must.

“I was really stressed out earlier, but now I’m ready to go,” Ekman says as she relaxes her feet in a warm whirlpool.

“This for a wedding tonight?” asks her manicurist, Lisa.

“No!” Ekman replies.

“My mom would kill me,” Finch agrees.

The girls choose French manicures — a simple nude gloss with white tips. The Happy Nails employees say it’s been a popular choice this year. Magazines in hand, the girls settle down to discuss dresses.

Ekman’s is a strapless turquoise number with rhinestone accents she picked up two months ago from Hillsboro Formalwear Outlet. “Every dress there is only $95,” she said.

For her, fit is really important because a bad dress can ruin the night. “Last year I was so uncomfortabe,” she said.

She chose a matching turquoise necktie for her boyfriend’s all-black tux and shirt, which she safely stashed in her bedroom. “I’m keeping it so he doesn’t lose it,” she explains with an eye roll.

After their fingernails are beautified and they sit under the “drying station,” Ekman has a few hours to tan at the pool and await hair styling time.

5 p.m.

“I practiced a few things,” Ekman said about test-running some hairdos the week before. Unlike many of her contemporaries, she opted not to go to a salon for a professional styling.

“I’m just gonna wing it,” she said.

She pulls her hair into a side part and twists several sections to the nape of her neck, securing them with bobby pins. Loose, messy updos, or half up-half down styles, are popular this year. To protect her’s against humidity, she uses a little — make that a lot — of hairspray, and heads out for pictures.

6 p.m.

Ekman, Scott, Finch and her date, Frank Price, go to scenic Bass Lake Park in Holly Springs to snap photos they’ll likely pull out to show their kids someday.

The weather had its own ideas.

“It started to drizzle so us girls ran to the car as fast as we could,” Ekman said. Frizzy hairstyles avoided, the groups split up as Ekman and Scott head off to dinner at Peak City Grill and Bar in downtown Apex.

7 p.m.

Ekman’s stepfather, Brian, gets a little credit for helping the couple avoid another disaster by calling the restaurant ahead of time.

“When he called, they didn’t have our reservation,” Ekman said. “[But] Peak City ended up getting us a seat anyway and it worked out perfect.”

Ekman and Scott were seated next to some of her friends from Holly Springs High School, “which was nice,” she said. After some “amazing food,” it was time to head to the main event at Goel’s Plaza in Morrisville, which hosted five local proms this year.

8:30 p.m.

This year’s theme for Holly Springs High is “Hollywood.” Ekman and Finch helped with the set-up and got a sneak peek into the planning, which included a lot of fake Oscar statues and film strips of famous movie stars on the wall.

The first order of business is making a few rounds, chatting up friends. Ekman said that Scott’s “not a big dancer,” so she didn’t expect to spend much time on the dance floor.

Unfortunately, it was long enough for Scott to accidentally clip a nearby dancer with a stray elbow. “I promise I wouldn’t find this funny if she was hurt, but she didn’t even acknowledge the fact his elbow just slammed into her forehead,” said Ekman.

Everyone settled down to hear the winners for the prom court. Although Ekman was nominated for queen, she didn’t take home the crown. But she was happy for Finch, who won princess for the junior class.

“Everyone from Holly Springs looked great,” said Ekman. “Ms. [Denise] Bruinton and Ms. [Terri] Fletcher-Herring did an amazing job.” After Finch accepted her crown, the group reunited for the after-party.

10:30 p.m.

They all head to Scott’s off-campus housing near N.C. State, where he’s a freshman.

Ekman said her mom didn’t give her a curfew, but she still planned on being responsible.

“My teacher told us there is usually one death every year at prom from drinking and driving,” she said. “Most kids will drink, but hopefully they’ll be smart and stay where they are.”

Ekman and Finch partied into the late hours but opted to bunk with friends instead of making the trek home. The night was made all the more bittersweet because it’s Ekman’s last year, and Finch will have to survive next year without her. “I’m going to miss her,” Finch said with a sad smile.

Ekman plans on joining Scott at N.C. State next year to study biology. Her goal is to become a physical therapist. In the meantime, she doesn’t regret all the effort she put into making a memorable prom.

“It’s the wrap up of your high school experience,” she said. “If you don’t go, you’re definitely missing out.”