Donna’s Deals: 7 Ways to Save Money on Prom

Things change and the same can be said for prom. Prom in the ‘80s or ‘90s might have meant a corsage, a new dress and a sweet borrowed ride, if you were lucky. Today’s proms have become much more involved than a one-night-only affair (promposals, anyone?) with a heftier price tag to match, reports she knows. The annual Visa high school prom cost survey estimated that a promposal alone could run $324, with $919 spent on the average teenage prom-goer. This total is down 6 percent from the previous year.

So here are 7 ways to save money on prom.

1. Dress

Instead of paying full retail, you can also rent a dress online from site’s like Rent the Runway. On this site, you select a dress in two sizes for a low price. They even offer customer reviews to help with your decision on purchasing a dress.

2. Flowers

Considering that a boutonniere or corsage could run you anywhere from $10-$25 each, this is the perfect time to teach your teen how to comparison shop. Trae Bodge, TV’s “smart shopping expert” and mother of a tween, recommends calling around (or enlisting your teen to call) local florists to find the best prom flower deals. “A good thing to remember with corsages is that wrist corsages tend to be more expensive than pin-ons because they are more complex,” says Bodge.

3. Makeup

The number one way to save on makeup is to consider having your hair and makeup done at a cosmetology school like Aveda in Cool Springs.

Shop around for corsages and boutonnieres. There are often specials at local florists.

There are also lots of Youtube videos with great tutorials on special occasion make-up. In addition, you can check with your favorite make-up counter. Often they will do your makeup for you with a purchase of product

4. Tux

There’s a fork in the road when it comes to teen boy prom attire. Does your son want to go black tie or casual? Comparison shopping and keeping a lookout for coupons at local tux rental shops is your best bet, says Bodge. If his prom style is more casual, purchasing a new and stylish suit may be a better choice since it can be worn on more than one occasion. Check budget-friendly and teen-friendly stores like Macy’s, Forever 21 and H&M first.

Tuxedo rental or new suit?

5. Accessories

To put on the finishing touches, this is one time when it can literally pay to be thrifty. Start by checking out local garage sales and estate sales for unique and vintage finds, including costume jewelry. And if you don’t want to leave the house — and commit hours to hunting through the bargain bins — you can easily find what you’re looking for online. Search for trash-to-treasure trinkets and one-of-a-kind accessories on resale sites like Craigslist, Etsy and VarageSale. There are also plenty of easy tutorials for adorable DIY jewelry.

6. Transportation

Fresh and flashy prom transport may be one cost you can’t skimp on — since most teens won’t agree to pull up to prom in a minivan. There is a way to get around the steep prom limo price. “Instead of paying for a limo for several hours, take an Uber,” says Collins. “Limos often have at least a two- to four-hour minimum, which seems like a waste since you only need a car for the short trip to the event.”

Limousine or Uber?

7. Pictures

As much time as they spend on Instagram and Snapchat, your teen may still want hard copy photos that they can frame and preserve for years to come. “These days, you can take beautiful photos on your cell phone, so there’s really no need to invest in the pricey photo package at the school or local photo studio,” says Bodge. “Volunteer your photographic skills or call in a favor with a friend or family member who takes pretty pictures. Then, visit a drugstore like CVS or Walgreens to create any number of fabulous photo keepsakes, like photo albums, canvases, mugs, posters — just about anything!