Attending Prom Can Lead to Large Expenses

The countdown to Prom 2026 has officially begun. The event will be held on April 18, and the halls are already buzzing with excitement and the hunt for the perfect outfit is in full swing. However the glitter and glamour that surrounds the event often hides a stressful reality: the dream night can carry a hefty price tag. While prom is filled with glittering dresses and sharp suits and dancing all night long, it can quickly spiral into hundreds, sometimes even thousands of dollars. This financial pressure can weigh heavily on some students and their families.

Prom costs begin with the purchase of a ticket, which this year is $40. The ticket covers a wide variety of expenses involved in hosting the event: venue rental, the cost of a DJ, a professional photographer to take photos, all the decorations, a security officer at the event and snacks. Beyond the ticket students often also have to pay for additional expenses such as attire, transportation and sometimes pre– or post-prom activities.

Senior Cathrynn Hager acknowledged that attending the event can be difficult for many. “Students can struggle when prom season comes around, because the prom tickets can feel overpriced and many students are not able to afford the prom attire.” 

The event can also become more expensive if students want to do more than just attend the actual event.  Attendance requires a ticket and clothing.  But many students want to make the evening feel special by adding on extra services like professional hair styling, photography and even a limo service to drive students to prom.  

English teacher Leslie Murphy said that students can control the cost of attending prom by limiting all of the extra activities or finding lower cost alternatives. “Really the only expense that students would have to pay is to purchase a ticket.” Murphy commented, “Students can always control the cost of dinner by going to a less expensive restaurant, planning a picnic dinner with friends, or even enjoying a meal at home before going to prom,” she said.

Many students also feel that the cost of attending prom is larger for female students than male students.  Girls tend to often spend slightly more than boys, largely due to dresses, alterations, makeup, hair styling and accessories. Hager said, “Boys only have to pay for their tux, food, transportation and tickets, while girls have to pay for all of their hair, makeup, photos, dress, spray tan, and food.

Murphy agreed with Hager’s position that girls are more likely to spend more for prom, and she saw this happen with her own family.   “I think girls spend more because of the cost of clothing.  I saw this with my older two children.  My son wore a nice suit and shirt/tie that he already had for other events, so he didn’t even have to worry about a tux rental.  But my daughter purchased new dresses for her junior and senior prom, which then led to new shoes and accessories.  Formal dresses can be really expensive, but we found that if you started looking early enough, several stores ran sales,” she explained. 

Murphy encouraged girls to consider shopping their friend’s closets to borrow items for prom , and that sharing could lower the overall cost.  “Many of my daughter’s friends loaned each other shoes, purses and jewelry, so those items didn’t have to be purchased and made the overall cost of an outfit lower.” 

The prom dress is often the centerpiece of the night, but is frequently the biggest expense too. Prices vary based on style, designer, material, and where the dress is bought. However there are many ways to find beautiful dresses without breaking the bank. “There are community events like the Amen House’s prom dress giveaway that students could take advantage of to eliminate the cost of a dress.” Murphy mentioned. 

Senior Sydney Wilder also suggested looking into second-hand dresses. “Vintage prom dresses are gorgeous and tend to be way cheaper than new ones. I definitely recommend looking into some second-hand sites for an outfit, even if you’re capable of buying a new one.”

Hager had a few other suggestions to make prom night more affordable. “Don’t pay for a photographer, don’t go to a super expensive place, or just go on a simple date. Also do your own hair and makeup,” she said. 

Wilder stated that it’s better to prioritize your purchases and use what you already own. “For example, if you already have some jewelry, you can certainly try to make it work with your dress to save some money. If you’re gonna be wearing a dress long enough to touch the ground, you won’t need to invest in expensive shoes. Think about the most important to least important factors of your outfit!”

Many students like buying corsages and bouquets to complete their look, but these can be costly. Murphy noted that Great Crossing’s floral design class often sells prom bouquets and flowers at lower prices, providing an affordable option. “Our floral design class has often offered prom bouquets or flowers for sale, and those are less expensive than purchasing from a florist.  I’ve always been really impressed with the bouquets that students in floral design create.” Murphy said.