Depending on your viewpoint, prom can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience or an unnecessary rite of passage. For those who decide to go, it
can also get expensive. Quickly.
And yet...
“Senior prom is a big deal because it’s your last big dance together before everybody goes to college,” said Lindsey McMahon, a senior at Vestavia Hills High School. “It’s like your last hurrah.”
“Prom is a bigger deal than the other dances,” said Grace Baker, also a senior at Vestavia. “We’re all friends. There’s a live band and it’s more energetic. It’s something you look forward to all throughout high school.”
Below is a breakdown of average costs as sourced from shops and high school students in the Huntsville and Birmingham areas.
Prom ticket: $35
Most cost around $30-$35 and are often paid for during junior year of high school. But we’ve heard of tickets costing as much as $90.
“The actual dance is my favorite part,” said Mary Jane Young, a senior, “because the band is really fun and you get to be with your friends. You’re guaranteed to see everyone.”
Prom dress: $250
A new prom dress can start around $100 at a chain or department store, and go up from there. Some dresses at the more exclusive boutiques can average around $500 and head northward toward $1,000.
There are other options: Used dresses are available at consignment shops and online. Discount retailers sometimes have them at clearance prices. Websites like renttherunway.com offer dress rentals, and someone looking for an outside-the-box dress can go the handmade route locally or on a site like Etsy.com.
Alterations: $30
Some dress shops offer alterations for free when a dress is purchased; separate stores may charge as much as $100 or more.
Shoes: $40
“The majority of people wear flat sandals,” said one senior high student. “You don’t see the shoes because most girls at our school wear long dresses.”
Jewelry: $25
Nails: $50
Hair: $60
Tux rental: $100
Some locations offer prom specials for as low as $69, but typically a prom night tux rental costs $100-$150.
Corsage/boutonniere: $20 each
Dinner: $75 per couple
Most teens interviewed agreed the guy typically pays for his and his date’s dinner.
Transportation: $40 per couple
Limos and even charter buses are popular at many schools, and a couple’s share of the ride can cost around $35-$50.
Photographs: Free
Most teens said they like to go to a special place to take photos – like a park or local landmark – but their parents take the photos. Some high schools don’t even offer at-the-prom photos anymore.
Grand total: $530 for girls; $250 for guys
Of course many people spend more and less on any combination of these services and products.
How much did you spend on prom?
What are your money-saving prom tips? Share them in the comments.
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