Rundown on How Much You Can Expect to Spend

You have probably heard that prom night is going to cost some money, but do you know how much that sum will be? Well, there is a wide range when it comes to this issue. It all depends on the individual services and items purchased. Prom night can cost you around $100 if you watch your budget and it can cost you around $1500 and even more, if you take the splurge. We’ve listed individual costs you need to consider.

Tickets

Ticket prices vary from one school to the next. They might be as low as $20-30 per couple if the prom is being held at the school gymnasium. Most proms, however, are held at off-campus locations—at ballrooms, hotel halls, country clubs, etc. Renting these places is expensive for the school. Therefore, prom tickets usually cost around $100-200 per couple. Dinner is included. You will have a night of great food, dancing, and fun.

Corsage and Boutonniere

The guy buys the corsage for his date; it’s a custom, and the girl buys the boutonniere for her date. What looks like a tiny flower arrangement will cost you more money than you think. Prices of corsages can range anywhere from $25 to $150. Boutonnieres are more reasonably priced at around $5 to $20. Do your comparison-shopping in advance, so that you have time to find a great deal.

Attire

Dressing for prom night does not come cheap. Prices for prom attire rental for guys range from about $80 to $300. Shoes might be included in the package. Do your comparison-shopping and find a great deal. If you have a suit in a dark color, wear it and you will be saving big bucks. Girls, however, are particular about having a brand new prom dress. The cost of the dress depends on the budget. There are dresses that cost as low as $50 and as high as $1,000 or more. If you or someone you know is good at sewing, you can even have a tailored prom dress. There are many options but the chief determinant is the price. There are also prom accessories, shoes, and hair to consider. These can cost a hundred or hundreds of dollars more, if you’re not careful.

Photos

At your prom, you will were a photographer taking photos of couples and groups. Professional photographers do not come cheap. If you want pictures, be ready to spend $30 to $200 depending on how many photos you will be purchasing. Make sure you have a price list and factor this cost into your budget. If you are not planning to spend money on photos, take a camera along to your prom and take as many photos as you can throughout the night.

Limousine

Prices of limousine rental can be quite hefty—we’re talking about $400 for a standard limo and prices go up depending on what you need. Make sure the limo is licensed by the state, ask for references, and check them. There have been instances of limousines failing to show up. Don’t let anything ruin your prom night. Be prepared.

Dinner

Going to dinner at a restaurant before the prom is increasingly common (even though you are probably going to eat at the prom, too). Make sure you make reservations. Be ready to spend around $15 to $25 per person.