How much to budget for prom?

[MOpGrad2013]

Yup. Both mine and my DD's prom included dinner and I was really surprised when I learned that that's not true in a lot of places.

The prom here included one drink and a couple of cookies( Oreo) for each ticket holder. Anything more was available at the concession fundraiser.

Many of the kids are already talking about going in for 40 minutes and then leaving for Sonic...returning for a bit and then going to the AfterProm available in our town.

 

[MrsPete]

I think people spend a lot because they choose to spend a lot - which is fine if you have it.

I agree that it's a choice.
I have it, but I choose not to prioritize prom in a big way.

But don't spend that kind of money if you can't just because "That's what people around here spend."

Agreed. Decide what you're willing to spend, and stick to it.

 

[KKB]

I agree that it's a choice.
I have it, but I choose not to prioritize prom in a big way.
Agreed. Decide what you're willing to spend, and stick to it.

Pretty much my mantra in life.

We pay a lot for extracurricular activities (dance, dance team at school, select football-baseball-basketball teams) and all that goes along with it with no issue. So when it come to something like prom, we set pretty firm limits. (with all their activities, no time for jobs other than the very occasional babysitting job) They won't remember how much they spent on stuff or even how they looked (as long as they like the dress)--but the fun memories. We took a limo ride to formal--I know we did it, but no other memories of the actual ride. Probably not worth the expense...

My mantra is pay for what it important to you. If it is important TO YOU to spend YOUR $ on these expensive things for your child, great. But if you don't see it as important, in they long run they won't, either. (oh, they may balk a bit now...part of being a teen)

I have a friend who asks how we can afford to take 1-2 trips each year. It is our one "extra" in life. She gets a Starbucks EVERYDAY--$1775/year. There's your trip...for me, an annual trip wins over daily Starbucks every time. (no, it won't cover all trips...but a good many!)

 

[dpswift]

In Maryland here too. DS is senior and twin DDs are sophomores (their senior prom will be ).

I saw that tickets are crazy expensive...$75pp (at Ravens stadium) and he'll probably buy his GF's ticket (she's a senior too). I am shocked because the school already hit us up for senior fees of $60 per kid and was supposed to cover stuff for senior year (paid it last year...even paid for my freshman DDs last year). Yet I keep getting bills for everything...cap and gown $50, prom tix, senior group photo was like $25, yearbook $90, senior portraits (which were like $275 and that was the cheapest I could get). I feel like some of us are supplementing for others, maybe.

I told him we could do a limo but he had to go with other couples and each set of parents would divide the cost, though now I have learned that his GF's parents can't even afford a dress for her so I don't think they'll be pitching in for a limo.

I am curious what it will cost. There is the tux, corsage and after party tix. Their prom comes with a meal, I do believe (it better).

That is so sad that they cannot afford any dress. We were in a though spot when DD 19 had her prom and I gave her my birthday money to buy a used dress. Considering how inexpensive you can get a dress for it is just sad.

Around here a church has a second hand dress sale. DD 21 went and said the dresses were not very desirable but at least it gives another option.

 

[Oodalally13]

Not really any advice but a somewhat funny story on dads. My coworker divorced his wife when their daughter was young. She lived with him but the mom and dad did not get along well at ALL. Well one Monday he asked me, "isn't $30 enough for prom?" I asked what he meant and he said the ex was all kinds of mad because they were splitting the cost of the prom attire (dress, shoes and jewelry)and he sent the daughter with $30 because he thought "that would be more than enough." He was thinking ex was just trying to get more money out of him. Poor guy! I had to explain that dresses alone could cost more than $100. He didn't really believe me so I told him what my dresses cost (2002-$188, 2003-$257) this was around 2010 so he thought maybe things were more during my time so he asked another coworker who had a daughter that just graduated. She said her daughter had borrowed her first dress and because they had no expense that year, she let her daughter go all out for senior year---no joke it was a $450 dress. Needless to say, he did send ex a bit more money. They had bought the dress his daughter wanted anyway and while not over the top, it WAS more than $60

 

[kathy884]

For girls, if you can borrow a great dress that really cuts down on expenses big time. My mom had a very attractive younger friend in her late 20s who she played tennis with when I was in high school who had a closet full of beautiful dresses. And her friend was the exact same size that I was. Though out my entire high school and college experience I never bought a dress, but borrowed about eight different ones from her. She ended up giving three of them to me too, as she said they were really too youthful on her and thought they just looked so fantastic on me. By talking to their friends about dances and prom, my parents saved lots of money.

I also when I was in college met two lovely young Vietnamese refugee high school girls thru my brother who was working for catholic charities and helping this family out. Both were invited to prom but didn't have anything to wear. I had two bridesmaid dresses from weddings of friends that I had been in in the last year that I gave to the girls. I was never going to wear these again. And both girls were the same size as I was and just looked darling in them. They were so appreciate too, so how can you not feel good about that.

For the dress borrowing thing it's great being on both the receiving and the giving end.

 

[a1tinkfans]

I think the budget should be about what you can afford keeping in mind your school/town local trends. Across the country you ll hear about vast differences..ie N.E it was typical for a parent to be spending near $1,000. For their daughter. And usually the prom, is various other activities for a whole weekend! Best of luck!

 

[disney is my life]

Where we live prom is a one time thing. Prom is only held for high school seniors and their dates (which obviously could be any grade/age). This year my dd is a high school senior and prom is a BIG deal. This is what the girls have been waiting for. This is what I'm expecting to pay for my daughter.

Ticket-$85
Dress-between $200-$300
Shoes-$40-$60 (she doesn't own any heels right now or else she would likely wear those)
Hair & Make up & Nails - $85
Accessories- $50
I think she will be splitting a limo with some friends so I don't know how much that will be for a while.

Having a high school graduate is more expensive than I thought it'd be.

 

[pigletto]

Where we live prom is a one time thing. Prom is only held for high school seniors and their dates (which obviously could be any grade/age). This year my dd is a high school senior and prom is a BIG deal. This is what the girls have been waiting for. This is what I'm expecting to pay for my daughter.

Ticket-$85
Dress-between $200-$300
Shoes-$40-$60 (she doesn't own any heels right now or else she would likely wear those)
Hair & Make up & Nails - $85
Accessories- $50
I think she will be splitting a limo with some friends so I don't know how much that will be for a while.

Having a high school graduate is more expensive than I thought it'd be.

Yep. We live in the same province and there's been a Prom Facebook group going strong since October.
My budget looks about the same as yours. We just won't overlook something less expensive if we find the right thing.

 

[danygirl]

The prom here included one drink and a couple of cookies( Oreo) for each ticket holder. Anything more was available at the concession fundraiser. Many of the kids are already talking about going in for 40 minutes and then leaving for Sonic...returning for a bit and then going to the AfterProm available in our town.

Most schools will not let you leave and reenter! They figure the kids will go drink or do other things. So I would check into that leave and go to Sonic thing. Also you can't leave after room and then come back

 

[Lewisc]

Some people are tempted to rely on DIS for help on anything and everything.

You're really asking the wrong people. You don't really want to know how much members of DIS budget for a prom. You want to know how much you should be budgeting for the proms. You need to be talking to parents of your kids classmates.

Some questions to ask:
How much are prom tickets? Some proms are held in a school gym, decorated by parent volunteers. Some proms are held in catering establishments, similar to weddings.
What do kids wear? Do guys wear dark suits or does pretty much everyone wear a tux. It is sometime cheaper to buy a tux. Check places like Marshalls. Rental rates vary. Dresses vary a lot.
Transposition. Does everyone rent a limo (towncar)?
After prom activities can add up. What is typically done.

 

[HM]

Most schools will not let you leave and reenter! They figure the kids will go drink or do other things. So I would check into that leave and go to Sonic thing. Also you can't leave after room and then come back

Agree with this.
Most proms only allow you entrance once. If you leave, you're no longer allowed in. Eat before the event and after the event if there is no/little food at the prom venue.

 

[elgerber]

Agree with this.
Most proms only allow you entrance once. If you leave, you're no longer allowed in. Eat before the event and after the event if there is no/little food at the prom venue.

Agreed, ours has a very strict policy about this, in writing. You may not leave the building, once you do, you are done.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Agreed, ours has a very strict policy about this, in writing. You may not leave the building, once you do, you are done.

Us too.

Our school also requires a breathalyzer before prom or any school dance. If you opt out you are not allowed to participate. We sign a release for this around the first week of school. This is for middle school and high school.

 

[elgerber]

Us too.

Our school also requires a breathalyzer before prom or any school dance. If you opt out you are not allowed to participate. We sign a release for this around the first week of school. This is for middle school and high school.

Ours does not have that, but its a good policy to have.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Why would the parent pay for prom, shouldn't the kids pay for that?
As I guy, I bought a three piece suite, took my date to an expensive restaurant and paid for it all myself. I was working an after school job by then and wanted to pay for things myself.

My parents budgeted $0 for my prom & my sister's.

 

[lovegrumpy]

Last year I think we spent $300 for my son. Not sure id he is going to his Senior prom are not. He has a few things that might make it so he can't be home to go. Same with Senior night.

 

[KKB]

DD told me last night that if she made it to DECA nationals that is the same weekend as prom & she would have to choose. (end of April)

Me--"And where is DECA Nationals?"

DD--"Orlando"

Me--"Prom wins"
(notice below we are going to WDW end of Feb. for dance team nationals--love Orlando but 2 trips in 2 months AIN'T happenin'!

 

[v.t.]

Has anyone purchased a tux online? After looking, it seems to be about the same price as renting. There is such a range on prices, I didn't know if one vendor was better than another.

 

[rbork]

Maryland Proms are just to expensive.
DS's was at the B&O Railroad Museum.
DS spent:
Prom tix for him and his date 180
tux rental 250
hair cut 20
flower 40
Dinner 140 Flemmings downtown
AfterProm tix 30
$650 for one night / no limo.

btw they both enjoyed after Prom the most. It was held at the local HS and had activities and drawings for items such as ipads, laptops, big screen TVs, XBox's, ski lift tix, big giftcards and a $700 cash prize.

I work the afterprom parties all night. It is a great option for kid's that might not have hundreds of dollars to spend on prom. Some just come to the afterprom and have a great time