<p>Some schools and/or kids have come up with some novel ways to have a wonderful prom experience without “breaking the bank”. If you or your school does something unique or fun to decrease prom costs, please post! </p>
<p>It’s too late for this year but might be helpful for next year
Not all parents/students can afford the hundreds of dollars that prom night can cost…</p>
<p>Ok… ideas???</p>
<p>Are some schools advocating sharing limos or not having limos at all?</p>
<p>Are some schools abandoning the need for tuxes?</p>
<p>Are some schools including dinner?</p>
<p>What has your school done to bring down costs?</p>
<p>Dinner is included in our prom tickets (it should be considering that the tickets are 125 for each couple). but yeah, the food is pretty bad so everyone goes to fancy restaurants anyway.</p>
<p>also, a school in the neighboring town banned limos…</p>
<p>Both years that S went to the prom, parents volunteered to provide dinner for his group of friends and dates at their home. One year it was a steak feast with the parents serving as waiters/waitresses. Another year some parents had catered heavy hor’d’ouevres brought in and served buffet style for the kids anad camera hound Moms/Dads to pick up as they came in.
This eliminated the pre-prom dinner at the fancy restaurant that costs a lot of $$$ and half the time the kids don’t even enjoy it (too nervous, don’t like the fancy food,feel intimidated in a “grown-up” restaurant).<br>
It also gave all the other parents great picture taking opportunities of the whole group in a relaxed atmosphere that the kids really enjoyed.</p>
<p>At D’s high school no senior is even omitted from senior activities because of an inabiltity to pay. </p>
<p>The PTA sets aside money each year, so if a senior needs something, they can confidentially go to the GC and the GC will make the request to the PTA.</p>
<p>If you have a freind who is a wedding planner, don’t be afraid to enlist their help because they know how to get things discounted.</p>
<p>Two of the sudents were aspiring filmakers and did a video yearbook (students paid $10 for a copy of the DVD).</p>
<p>Send letters out to the parents about what you need and who can help get services for different things. You would be suprised at the number of resources you have in your own back yard (resturant owners, bakers, etc).</p>
<p>Regarding Prom, parents sat down with students, came up with a budget for trips and proms. </p>
<p>One student was able to get a photography major at the local college to come to the prom ad take the prom pictures, individuals and couples. Students paid about $5 for pictures.</p>
<p>One parent was an event planner and helped to use some of her professional contacts to get a discount on the venue and the meal at a hotel which was looking to build up their friday night wedding business. School was able to get beautiful venue complete with cocktail hour (no alcohol) and full dinner and desert bar. (make sure you take your tax id, so you will only pay for gratuties).</p>
<p>One of the parents was a travel agent and helped work with the students on getting discounts in setting up their senior trip. </p>
<p>Another parent was able to get all of the printing done at their job.</p>
<p>Seniors did a lot of fundraising: Had bake sales, battle of the bands which raised a few thousand $$ to offset some of the expenses.</p>
<p>One of the parents worked for a major corporation and was able to get funds from corporate affairs a they will give out small amounts of money for community involvement. This paid for the gratuties for the prom with some money for the DJ.</p>
<p>One parent donated all of the flowers for the tables at prom (got a discount from someone she uses in the flower district).</p>
<p>With six kids and one income, we have to be careful with prom spending. A couple of things we did/do:</p>
<p>One of our finest dept. stores has amazing formal sales in the summer (usually around July 4). Often we shop early for dresses. We’ve gotten some $180.00 dresses for $10.00-$30.00! Same thing with shoes…we shop sales for those too.</p>
<p>Just as I have learned to cut all of my boys’ hair (and my husband’s) to save $, my oldest D has learned to do salon-quality prom styles! She does her sister’s hair, her friends, and S’s gf. Only bad part…I had to end up springing for HERS to be done, but after the $30.00 dress, it was within the budget.</p>
<p>When oldest S has gotten limos, it has been with LARGE groups to share the expense and increase the fun. D and her bf went sans limo, but both of them are really practical and considerate of budgets.</p>
<p>Rather than picking expensive steak/seafood type restaurants, they usually Italian which has some more reasonable entrees. One year for Holly Ball, the gals made dinner for the guys at one of the girls’ homes.</p>
<p>Our school sponsors a reasonably priced after-prom party…usually a cute casino set-up, but this year, it was at a place that had an arcade, miniature golf, and those cars/tracks. I think it was something like $6.00/person, much cheaper (and WAY safter) than a hotel, and for some reason, it’s a popular thing to do here.</p>
<p>S wore a tux to his proms, but D’s bf did not…just used a suit he already had. The tux rental is a HUMONGOUS expense, and I plan to shop the thrift stores for some fun, retro tuxes to have on hand (the boys here like to do some silly things with their tuxes).</p>
<p>I haven’t tried this yet, but I plan to learn how to make the corsages and boutonnieres. They look easy, and with my creative streak, I’d probably enjoy it! </p>
<p>Well, that’s a start…I’ll see if I can come up with any more…</p>
<p>~berurah</p>
<p>save on dresses by buying them at stores like marshalls, ross, tj maxx</p>
<p>in New York City, an organization holds a free prom dress giveaway every year in early May for girls in NYC public high schools (I just went there yesterday, got an awesome dress even though I had to stand in line for 6+ hours). They have tons of nice dresses and is a great way to spend hundreds of dollars. operationfairydust . com.</p>
<p>We bought son’s tux on ebay last year, it was new, came with the jacket, pants, vest, tie, tuxedo shirt, cuff links, and buttons. Paid under $99 for the whole ensemble including shipping. I bought the socks and shoes locally, on clearance, at Marshalls. </p>
<p>He has used the tux for 2 homecomings, 2 winter formals, 2 proms and some family functions (weddings). So it has worked out really well. It is quickly approaching about $10 per event now for the attire.</p>
<p>Tickets for prom were $65 for the couples. They did not go with a limo, instead with gas prices being as they are the group of them all decided to carpool. One minivan held 3 couples. So 3 minivans in the prom caravan.</p>
<p>They all went to a mid-priced place for dinner pre-prom and planned an after-prom party at one of the other student’s homes with a heated pool. We ordered a cake from the Walmart bakery, another family did sub sandwishes, another chips and dip, soda and extra tables and chairs. Son’s date was a little nervous so she went with a salad and he had a “gourmet” burger. So dinner ended up with tip around $20.</p>
<p>So for us prom was under $100.</p>
<p>And they did say they had a great time!! They strolled in around 4 am, and everyone was tired but very happy, and not broke!!</p>
<p>Kat</p>
<p>ps ordered the corsages from the local grocery store instead of the florist, so corsage ran about $7-8. Had roses and all the extras just not $27-30.</p>
<p>Also one of the parents volunteered their GORGEOUS home for prom pictures, so they all met there ahead of time with all the other parents and one of the dad’s had his tripod set up and took all the couples’ pictures. All the mom’s got to ooh and ahh over all the nice dresses, tuxes and flowers. Same house as the after-prom party.</p>
<p>start a prom dress/shoe re-cycling program at the place you work.</p>
<p>My kids’ prom is traditionally held on the last day of the school year, which happens to be a Tuesday in early June. Prom attendees eat dinner and dance at the same venue, and the tickets are usually about $35 per person. Limousines are not the in thing at our school even though many can afford it.</p>
<p>My daughter and I found prom dresses priced quite reasonably at one of our local dept. stores. I paid $69 one year and $80 the next (granted it’s been three years now). Shoes don’t have to be spendy, but as I recall, hers cost about as much as her dress. The items that are less negotiable are the hairstyling (at least $50) and the tux rental (about $120 in our city). I did have my daughter pay half on her hairdo, and this year I’ve told my son he needs to come up with half the cost of his prom.</p>
<p>Last year one of the parents hosted the pre-prom photo op (alcohol free for kids, beer/wine for adults, and snacks for all) for parents and kids … and then the kids went off to prom – held at a local museum – on a decorated school bus … a/k/a the party bus.</p>
<p>The pix are great … especially the ones taken of S and his gf next to the swan boat in the back yard of the hosts.</p>
<p>D and friends are making corsages, boutonni</p>
<p>I’m pretty cheap…</p>
<p>Both my dresses were on major clearance…$20 for one and $40 for the other. I used shoes I had, got cheap jewelry from Claire’s, and did my own hair and makeup. </p>
<p>Junior year I just went by myself, so no cost there. Senior year, one of my friend’s dads was paying for the whole limo as a graduation present for her so I bummed a ride. Dinner was pretty cheap as I just ordered a salad…didn’t have a date so no corsage to buy.</p>
<p>And prom is free at our school because it’s a small private school and the juniors do a ton of fundraising, so that’s pretty sweet.</p>
<p>I like the idea of buying a tux on ebay – that’s a great idea.</p>
<p>Never thought to make coursages – it probably isn’t too hard – but buying roses (or whatever) can be pricey anyway (our florist makes rose coursages for $20 so unless I had to make several at one time by buying a 2 dozen bunch of roses at Costco or Sams Club ($13), I don’t know if I could save money making my own once I added the ribbon and the wrist band thing.)</p>
<p>Like the idea of having a group dinner at home, that alone can be a big saving.</p>
<p>Great idea to do prom dress shopping during summer clearance. </p>
<p>Learning how to do “up do’s” is really a great savings! Those can cost $25 - 50 (plus tips). I know that you can buy “hair pieces” that you can dye to match your own hair so that you can have really full hair or extra curls. S</p>
<p>I know some girls meet in the morning to do each others’ manicures and “special night” make up.</p>
<p>I like the “pre-prom” photo-op party. What a great way to save on all those very pricey prom pics!!!</p>
<p>Locally, the cost of a tux rental is double a nice dress on sale! I nearly died the first year. Hopefully he’ll use EBay or Consignments shops next time around! </p>
<p>Our school has a fully “enclosed” evening, primarily organized by a large number of parent volunteers. Ticket costs range depending on the success of fund raising by the students, but is usually $60 - $70. It includes nice “tour-style” busses to a rented hall for dinner and dancing, then an “after-affair” back at the school (or other volunteer location) where the rooms are decorated by parents, and include numerous activities (pretend casino, movies, table games, snacks, dance room, etc.). Local companies donate various door prizes (free pizza coupons, etc.). </p>
<p>Parents (and even the community) gather in the parking lot prior to the students boarding busses. Everyone takes pictures with numerous groups (and compares outfits 
Once they board the busses, there is no “escape” (ie. no driving, no limos, no drinking, hotels, etc. (hopefully a nice, safe, fun evening). </p>
<p>The students seem to enjoy the evening, and most attend with or without dates. I was pleased to see many “groups” of friends attending.</p>
<p>our school has a fundraiser so that everyone can afford to attend prom
I believe I read tix were $6 this year.
Some may choose to rent a limo of course which would raise costs significantly, my older daughter ( dif school) date did reserve a limo, bu they double booked, so the mother ( neither drove) gave them a ride to the restaurant.
Some families host their own dinners, but students often don’t go to real expensive restaurants, I know because I see them out and about in all their finery!</p>
<p>Nothing to do with saving money but…the kids at our church all wear their prom clothes to church the next day. It gives them the chance to wear them one more time and the church members really enjoy it. After the service is over, the preacher invites them to all come down front so everyone can see them all dressed up. The little girls ooh and aah over the dresses and the adults wonder how those kids we had in the toddler nursery grew up so fast. It’s corny but sweet.</p>
<p>Packmom</p>
<p>that is cute… Although some prom dresses may not be “modest enuf” for church…</p>
<p>I like the idea of a “fully enclosed evening” — much safer. Don’t all our hearts break when we read about some kid(s) getting killed in some accident on the night of prom?</p>