For the next few weeks people will see young couples being dropped off at restaurants by limos or walking across Walnut Street bridge in beautiful dresses and tuxes. Guess that means prom season is officially in full swing!
“Everyone has been talking about the prom at my school for about the past two months,” said Meredith Ingle. “Lately, people have really been stressing out about dates and what they will wear. Some of my friends have gone to Atlanta or Nashville to find dresses. I found one I really liked in town.”
When asked what she thought the prom would cost her and her date, Ms. Ingle started reeling off amounts for what she and her date had already purchased including her dress, tickets, shoes, jewelry, his tux, a corsage and boutonniere along with approximate amounts for dinner and a few miscellaneous expenses. Not including the $150 per person expense of a limo that some of their friends are renting, their total came to around $500.
“That kind of blows my mind,” said Ms. Ingle. “I am really excited about going to the prom, but I’m not thinking of dropping $500. If someone asked me if I would spend $500 in one evening to go to a dance, I would say ‘No, I have better things to do with my time and money.’”
On top of the expenses of going to the prom, the class has held fundraisers all year to pay for their prom location and the band they are bringing in from out of town. Nationwide, proms are a $2.7 billion industry, according to Your Prom Magazine. Considering the amount of money being spent on this evening, some may be asking the question, “Is it really necessary to spend all this money in order to have a great time at the prom?”
“I think we would have just as much fun if we didn’t dress up,” said Ms. Ingle. “The dresses and tuxes are fun for about an hour and then we are over it and just into having a good time.”
Several years ago, Seton High School in Manassas, Virginia caught on to how much money was being spent on their prom. They decided to do things a bit differently because the goal was really to have a good time, not to spend as much money as possible.
The following year, the girls decided to borrow dresses from friends or wear something they already owned. The guys wore suits instead of tuxes. They took the money they would have spent and sent it to an adopted sister school in Haiti.
It appears that, for many, spending has gotten out of hand when it comes to the prom. If the goal is to have a fun evening at a dance does it require spending this much money? Just as Ms. Ingle stated, most teenagers could find better things to spend $500 on than one evening out with a bunch of friends.
Have you talked with your teens about how much it is actually costing for them to go to the prom? Twenty dollars here and fifty dollars there tends to add up quickly. They (and you) may be surprised at how much you have invested in their prom. The tux goes back to the store, the dress gets put in the closet never to be worn again and the only thing you have left are pictures, which cost a pretty penny as well.
- If you are looking to save a few dollars during prom season this year, or next, why not consider these suggestions:
- Borrow a dress – who will ever know?
- Cook dinner at your house for a group or take a picnic to the park.
- Rent a less expensive tux or wear a nice suit.
- Have a friend fix your hair.
- Have a pre-prom party with your friends and do each other’s nails and makeup.
- Instead of renting a limo, why not carpool with a group to the prom and forget the driver experience?
- Take pictures ahead of time instead of paying for them at the dance.
The bottom line is you can have a lot of fun without spending a fortune. Get creative and think of other ways to spend $500.
