Budgeting for Prom

How to Keep Prom Finances Under Control
Prom is a big day, and it can come with big expenses. As long as you set a realistic prom budget - and follow it! - then you'll be well on your way to a damage-free prom night. Setting parameters for your dress, hair, makeup, accessories and pre-prom essentials will help you allocate your funds where most they're the important to you. Of course, if your parents plan to pay for your prom dress and other expenses, it's important that you establish a reasonable budget with them before making decisions.

The Dress: $100-$600: By far the biggest budget-sucker of the bunch, the dress is perhaps the most important spending consideration before prom for many. If the dress is the priority, it's important that you consider ways to skim off other prom expenses so that you can get the dress of your dreams. For example, consider doing your own hair or wearing a pair of shoes you already own to allot more to the dress budget. If you're not too picky about the dress, then choose something a bit simpler and funnel some of your funds to the accessories.
You'll want to narrow down your budget before deciding on a dress, a dress style or a designer. If you know you can spend as much as $400 or $500, you'll likely be able to find the exact dress you want made by the fashion house of your choice. If you have a more confined budget, say $100, fear not! You're already ahead of the curve by visiting PromHeadquarters. We have a huge selection of sale prom dresses and prom dresses under $100. Added bonus: our low-priced prom dresses are always trendy and in-style, even if they're not made by the most expensive designers.

The Accessories: $100 or Less - We're big dress people here at PromHeadquarters  (naturally!) and we think the perfect dress need not be overshadowed with too many accessories. With that being said, you'll want to find a comfortable pair of shoes that matches your gown and honors your personal style. Set aside $50 to $60 for a pair of cute prom heels and then spend the rest of your accessory budget on affordable jewelry, hair pieces and a clutch. We always suggest borrowing family jewelry from mom or grandma for this special occasion.

Hair and Makeup: $150-$200 - The cost of your hair and makeup really depends on where you live and what type of salon you choose. Generally speaking, prom hairstyles cost from $30 to $100. The best way to determine how much you're likely to spend on prom hair, call your salon of choice and ask! Makeup costs can vary as well, but you're unlikely to spend over $60 for a simple application. To skim off prom beauty costs, consider visiting the makeup counter at the mall or your favorite cosmetics store for free application before prom. You can also consider choosing a simpler hairstyle that you can do yourself.

Flowers: $5-$25 - Traditionally, a male prom date gives a female prom date a corsage, and a female prom date gives a male prom date a boutonniere. Whether you're big on tradition or not, flowers can add a bit of fun and formality to the pre-prom festivities. You can always create your own corsage or boutonniere using flowers from the garden or silk options to save money.

Pre-Prom Activities: $0-$200 - When budgeting for prom, you also have to think about things such as prom tickets, photos and pre-prom dinner. If you intend to hire a professional photographer and other services such as a limousine, it's a great idea to get a group together and split the costs. Traditionally, your prom tickets should be paid for by your date. If you're buying the tickets, you can expect to pay between $20 to $100 for tickets, depending on the location. Ask your prom committee for a rough idea of ticket costs before nailing down your budget. Don't forget to factor in the cost of dinner before prom!