Prom expense question...

[kmvand1]

I am hoping I am not wrong in asking this. My son is taking a "friend" to prom in a couple of weeks and the tickets go on sale this week. The cost is $25.00per person. Do I suggest that the girl buy her own ticket, or do I just go ahead and buy two tickets and keep quiet? He is springing for the dinner and my parents have offered to rent a limo for a few hours, but between the tux and coursage, I am already into the $200.00 mark. TIA

 

[MommaSnowwhite]

I think you should ask your son - he would know if she is really a "friend" or more than that.

I have to add, why are you paying for his prom? When I went to prom I paid for my dress, shoes, ect. and my date paid for his expenses - not our parents.

 

[M5ward]

I think that if he asked her to go ("just friends" or not) he should pay for the tickets. The cost for the girl will probably far exceed his costs.
If it's something they (as friends) decided on mutually, then she should pay for her ticket.

 

[jimaok]

Did he ask her? Even if she's a friend- if he asked her- he should buy her ticket. Do you have any idea how much a prom dresss costs? (I have three daughters) They can't wear the same dress- and they only wear it one time. I have a whole closet full of prom and homecoming dresses- worn one time. I have been known to slip the date some money when they come over to get their pictures taken. These dances are definitely not cheap- dresses, tuxes, tickets, limos, flowers, dinners etc- But how much are memories worth? Priceless. I just feel sorry for the young people that can't afford to go.- I think it has gotten way too extravegant.

 

[Green Tea]

He asked her? He pays.

 

[kwhite1022]

They can't wear the same dress- and they only wear it one time. I have a whole closet full of prom and homecoming dresses- worn one time. QUOTE]


Nope its not a CANT its a WONT. I wore my prom dress twice, just had it shortened. Only cost me $45 for my Senior year. So it can be done.

 

[Soon2B4]

I just have to ask...why $200 for a tux and corsage? When we got married not quite 4 years ago, it was only $50 or so for a tux from American Commodore. I can't imagine the tux costing $175, allowing $25 for a small corsage which is high.

Also, when I went to my prom, there was a discount for couples. If you bought single tickets, they charged more. The other thing I agree with PP about is who is paying. My parents didn't pay for anything. I had a job and so did my friends. We all paid our own way. My dress alone was over $300 without shoes, accessories, dinner, limo, and other expenses.

 

[Justsyd2]

If he asked, then he should pay. He should also pay the other expenses as well. Does he work?

 

[hambirg]

I think if he asked he should pay for the tickets. I asked my date to the prom (he went to a different HS). I paid for the tickets and dinner, but he insisted on paying for the pictures. HTH

 

[riley2008]

I just have to ask...why $200 for a tux and corsage? When we got married not quite 4 years ago, it was only $50 or so for a tux from American Commodore. I can't imagine the tux costing $175, allowing $25 for a small corsage which is high.

QUOTE]


My boys were in a wedding last week. The Tuxedos were $156.00 EACH!!!! A $50 tux Good for you! Weddings and Proms and truly budget busters.

I say, it's an extra $25.00, pay it. It's not worth making an issue over.

(Wow! Did I really say $25.00 isn't worth making a big deal out of on the BUDGET BOARD???? EEEKKK )

 

[PinkRhombus]

He definitely pays if he asked. She'll probably end up paying for prom pictures. My niece's dress this year was around $375, I think. Plus the shoes, accessories.

 

[onthego103]

I also have a senior going to the prom in a few weeks. In our area, it seems to be pretty much understood that if they are going as friends, they each pay their own way. If a senior (girl or guy) asks someone from another grade or another school, then they pay all expenses. My daughter will pay her own way if she goes with a friend from school and she will pay for both tickets and limo costs for two if she invites someone from outside her senior class. It seems that my response is the exception, however.

I believe my daughter's prom tickets are $85/person. Maybe that accounts for the difference!

 

[almburr]

Okay I must really be stupid, What are the tickets for? Here Proms are free. The Jr. class has all the fundraising, they do it all. Last years Jr. class had over $12,000. The Jr. parents are in charge of the meal.

The only cost the kids have is the clothes, accessories, and pictures.

DD14 is going to prom on Saturday, just decided last week, well we had no dress. Her friend a sr. had an extra dress.


Prom tickets are not the norm around here.

 

[kmvand1]

Wow! Thanks for all of the quick responses. To answer the most urgent question, no, he does not have a job. I won't start an arguement regarding that but will say that we want him to put his studies first during the school year. He mows lawns and does odd jobs when the weather is warmer, it works for us, maybe not for everyone, but that's how we do it. I have not heard of a tuxedo renting for $50.00 since the 70's! We were married almost 20 years ago, and then it was $110.00. Not to mention they charge you extra for the shoes, and the handkerchief! We have decided to go ahead and buy the ticket and just not make an issue of it. Oh, and I have a daughter as well, so I know how expensive it will be for us again when it is her turn.

 

[Soon2B4]

My boys were in a wedding last week. The Tuxedos were $156.00 EACH!!!! A $50 tux Good for you! Weddings and Proms and truly budget busters.



I guess we are spoiled in this area. The company is mostly in the Northern Ohio. They are even doing a promo that if you hand out fliers for them and get 10 people to rent a tux for prom from your flier, the tux is free. They also offer $30 off a tux rental with coupon.

For weddings they are doing complete tuxes with long tie and vest for $54.99 with 5 wedding party rentals. Free rentals for the groom and ringbearers.

 

[disneyoverload]

Okay I must really be stupid, What are the tickets for? Here Proms are free. The Jr. class has all the fundraising, they do it all. Last years Jr. class had over $12,000. The Jr. parents are in charge of the meal.

The only cost the kids have is the clothes, accessories, and pictures.

DD14 is going to prom on Saturday, just decided last week, well we had no dress. Her friend a sr. had an extra dress.


Prom tickets are not the norm around here.

Our junior class has about the same amount of money, but there is no way that would cover our expenses. The place and dinner is around $15,000 not even including decorations, chaperones, favors, the dj, and other odds and ends. We don't want to waste every cent we have because we also have to have money for next year's senior reception and other events, as that is our low cost dance which is only $10 per person. How many people go to your daughter's school?

 

[sherry7]

I agree with the others...if he asked her, he should buy her ticket.

Regarding prom costs...DS's tux rental is $125, which is without shoes and cuff links (he owns nicer ones than they rent). His prom tickets are $90 each, but it includes dinner, and the prom is on a riverboat, which raises the price. Also, the school transports everyone from the school to the riverboat in nice tour buses. Because of that, none of the kids rent limos.

The tux place did have some tuxes that were only $70, but they were the style that no one wears anymore (meaning bow tie and cummerbund...most of the guys wear a tux with a vest and Windsor tie now).

Just a question since everyone here seems to know about prom. DS is going stag. Is he supposed to wear a buttoniere? (Not sure about the spelling, but I mean a small corsage for a guy.) I didn't think high school guys wore them anymore, but I'm not sure about that.

 

[61292cna]

Did he ask her? Even if she's a friend- if he asked her- he should buy her ticket. Do you have any idea how much a prom dresss costs? (I have three daughters) They can't wear the same dress- and they only wear it one time. I have a whole closet full of prom and homecoming dresses- worn one time. I have been known to slip the date some money when they come over to get their pictures taken. These dances are definitely not cheap- dresses, tuxes, tickets, limos, flowers, dinners etc- But how much are memories worth? Priceless. I just feel sorry for the young people that can't afford to go.- I think it has gotten way too extravegant.

You should take the dresses & either resell them or donate them to a local clothing pantry or other charity. Then girls on a tight budget could afford the dress they've dreamed of, but didn't ever think they could have!!!

That is how my daughters got their homecoming dresses & all 3 looked brand new! Here only jr. & sr. can go to prom, Older DD17 got anew one this year, but cught a great sale & paid 187.00 for it, Prom tix were 45.00 each & 25.00 more if you went to after party (a lock-in type thing to keep them from drinking & driving), Altogether we spent between 400.00 & 425.00, and we did everything on the cheap. Prom will kill your budget if you don't plan way ahead & next year we'll have 2 going!

 

[here757]

$25 ?
i would just pay it, i wouldnt want to cause a riff in the friendship over that small amount of money..
kids are funny with money. the girl or her parents might get offended.

 

[PrincessBetsy]

I am hoping I am not wrong in asking this. My son is taking a "friend" to prom in a couple of weeks and the tickets go on sale this week. The cost is $25.00per person. Do I suggest that the girl buy her own ticket, or do I just go ahead and buy two tickets and keep quiet? He is springing for the dinner and my parents have offered to rent a limo for a few hours, but between the tux and coursage, I am already into the $200.00 mark. TIA

I would probably have him just buy both tickets. Is there a discount for couples? It's good that it is only $25 a ticket - at my school, they were $40 a ticket. I hope he has a great time!

Oh, and I just wanted to mention that it's good that you don't force your son to work. School should always come first! It's really nice that you are purchasing everything for him!

(Wow! Did I really say $25.00 isn't worth making a big deal out of on the BUDGET BOARD???? EEEKKK )

Oh dear! You are going to have to watch your back from now on! hehehe..