Dress, nails, hair, makeup and shoes can come out to cost a pretty penny when prom season rolls around. According to NBC, the average teen spends about $1000 on prom. So what can you save and splurge on for prom?
Senior Syrie Rodriguez said she did not set an exact budget for her purchases for prom, but made sure to keep the prices of the dresses she was looking at low.
“My dress was around $300,” Rodriguez said. ”And then the shoes were … like $40. And then I just got some earrings off Amazon, which weren’t expensive but I’m doing my own makeup and my own nails to save money as well.”
Senior Emery Himes said her dress was on the more expensive end, but still tried to save on other aspects of her prom look.
“We tried to keep it as low as possible just because a lot coming up with being a senior, graduating, so like making sure you’re not spending a bunch of money,” Himes said.
Penn Live says prom dresses typically cost $300-$700 before alterations; tuxes are around $100-$250 for a rental and flowers can be $50-$100. Lane’s prom tickets also cost $125 each.
“I’m probably going to go get my nails done and a blowout for my hair, so that’ll probably add a couple of hundred, and everything else I’m going to try to do at home,” Himes said.
Though Himes did not feel that there was a pressure around spending a lot of money on prom, she did feel that there is a unique pressure around appearances at prom.
“I think there is a pressure of looking your best, and that does cost money, but I feel like people don’t talk about the cost as much because everybody has their different range of money, and it’s respectful to not pressure people on spending a certain amount,” said Himes.
Himes and Rodriguez both thought saving on prom costs was important to their decisions. Many websites recommend saving money on prom by renting a dress or a tux, or buying a dress with less fabric to lower the cost.
“I feel like prom, if you find a dress that you really love, you don’t have to spend so much on it,” said Rodriguez.
“I would say just like when it comes to a dress, you can even buy used ones or maybe even thrifting it or repurchasing something and just like going to as many places as you can and finding the best deal,” said Himes. “And then trying to do maybe your hair, makeup, nails at home or with a friend to help you save money.”
FAQs
How Much Does Prom Cost in Total? Costs of attending prom are not the same for every girl as it varies per region. You can spend $150 to $2,000 or more attending the event. However, on average, a girl will spend about $900 – $1000 on their big night with all the abovementioned costs.
Is $500 a lot for a prom dress? ›
If you're expecting average prom dress prices to hover around $350-500, we have options for you, too.
Do you need money for prom? ›
Believe it or not, prom costs can vary from $150 to even $2000. This definitely depends on where you live and what you want to include in your budget. Whether you want everything to be luxurious or you find creative ways to save money, you simply need to have some guidance about the budget.
Is 600 a lot for a prom dress? ›
The costs of prom dresses have risen over the last decade with now the average girl spending around $300-600 on the perfect dress.
Who usually pays for prom? ›
The person who asks someone to prom is responsible for paying for the night's expenses, traditionally.
What is 5 dollar prom? ›
Five Dollar Formal It's prom all over again with one rule! The party is formal but your outfit can only cost Five Dollars (NO EXCEPTIONS) Everyone will scour the thrift shops or find an old dress or suit from their closet (my friends all come from the 80's so their old dresses were PERFECT) The tackier the better.
How to have a cheap prom? ›
Everyone should be able to look their best at prom
- Turn your house into a salon.
- DIY your corsages and flowers.
- Homemade potluck > fancy dinner.
- No limo? No problem.
- Keep it low-key.
With prom being an exclusive event for only juniors and seniors, there are fewer students in attendance. This causes a need for higher ticket prices to cover the various costs that are included in hosting a large scale event.
What are girls wearing to prom in 2024? ›
From elegant long mermaid gowns, romantic cottagecore dresses, sleek prom suits, trendy black sheer dresses that could have come straight out of the Euphoria set, and gothic gowns inspired by Wednesday Addams, and affordable prom dresses on Amazon, there's no shortage of options.
Is prom only for 12th graders? ›
Prom usually takes place in the junior and senior years of high school (especially grades 9 to 12), normally around February or March. Proms are commonly known as JS prom, or, junior-senior prom.
Although prom in its precise definition is short for promenade dance—a formal dance party for high school students held toward the end of the school year—there are several other activities that typically take place on prom night, including group photo sessions, dinners and afterparties.
How important is prom to a girl? ›
The importance of prom
Prom holds different levels of significance for different people. For some, it's a chance to dress up and have a fun night with friends. For others, it's an opportunity to create lasting memories before parting ways with classmates and entering adulthood.
What is a size 2 in prom dresses? ›
In American sizes: size 2 is equivalent to XS; size 4 to S; size 6 to M; size 8 to L; size 10 to XL and size 12 to XXL. Typically, this is the case, but sizes may vary depending on the store.
What is inappropriate for a prom dress? ›
o Dresses that are too revealing, are skin tight or form-fitting, expose midriffs or cleavage, or are too short in length are not appropriate.
What is a size 8 in prom dresses? ›
Blush Sizing
| SIZE | BUST | WAIST |
|---|
| 6 | 35 | 28 1/2 |
| 8 | 36 | 29 1/2 |
| 10 | 37 | 30 1/2 |
| 12 | 38 1/2 | 31 1/2 |
9 more rowsProm, but at what cost?
| Aspect of prom | Cost |
|---|
| Other | Rented tables, chairs, linens and centerpieces (around $2,000); $300 tent if it rains and security is around $300-$400 |
| After Prom | $800 to rent bowling alley, $2,000 for t-shirts, $2,000-$2,500 for prizes |
| Total (Prom) | Around $12,000 |
| Total (After prom) | Around $5,000 |
5 more rowsMar 30, 2019
The average cost of attending prom in the United States is approximately $1,000 per person. Yes, you read that right – one thousand dollars! This includes everything from attire to transportation, tickets, and other expenses. But don't let this number scare you away from attending prom altogether.
Is 400 a lot for a prom dress? ›
Prom gown: around $300-$700, before alterations
“We don't always accomplish that, some of them might be $525, somewhere around there. We have a lot of them start in the $300 range, with most probably being in the $400s, if you were going to average them out.”
