Prom season is on its way, which means you have a pretty big expenditure coming up. Prom season can really harm your budget if you’re not careful but planning out an unforgettable event for your child can often cloud judgment when it comes to shopping for the event. There are plenty of unique ideas that can ensure your child stands out during prom season while still making sure your budget is designed to suit your needs.
1. Ditch the Limo
The limo has become one cliché aspect of prom. Kids believe they should have the limo experience to fully embrace the occasion. However, this simply isn’t the case. If you want to skip the limo you might look into renting a classic car for your child’s grand entrance. If you have a friend or family member that owns one, then borrowing it might be an even cheaper option. Another fun idea that won’t cost a penny is having your child gather friends that are willing to dance their way to the prom. Kids can be dropped off a block from the venue, so they can make an entrance that will have all of their classmates talking. There are so many other options to help your child make the grand entrance without the limo price tag, so make sure to plan early so you can pull anything off.
2. Secondhand Styles
There is no rule saying prom attire has to be brand new. A secondhand style can be one of the best ways to save some money. Since most prom dresses are worn once, there is a good chance you can find a look that has barely any wear, which will make it impossible for people to tell the difference. Thrift stores are filled with such items, so you can save some big money while helping out a charity. On top of that, you can also borrow a dress or tux from someone that has previously attended prom. You might also find that it is a lot of fun to alter styles, especially if you didn’t spend a fortune on them. This can be one of the best ways to add that custom touch to things. Accessories can also be borrowed or altered to finish off a look that people will remember for years to come.
3. Makeup Party
Makeup tends to be one of the pricier options when it comes to the prom. This can be a big problem if you’re on a budget. These days, many teens know how to do their makeup though, so having a makeup party can help offset the cost of the event while still adding more memories to the occasion. Attendees can bring their own makeup and each person can take turns applying. There are lots of great prom makeup tutorials online as well, which can make finding the perfect look even easier. Parents might ask kids to choose a look before the big event so all of the necessary cosmetics can be purchased ahead of time. This can even allow time for practicing the look.
4. Natural Hair Accessories
From tiaras to jeweled hair accessories, hair accessories can really make your prom bill skyrocket. One way to combat this is to actually use items that Mother Nature provides. For instance, if you have your own garden then you can cut flowers and create a crown of flowers that will make everyone envy your child’s style. You can also add flowers to many other accessories to help bring them to life. This is fairly easy to do, but there are also DIY tutorials online that you can check out if you need assistance.
5. Vintage Photography
Although it is always nice to have a decent picture from prom, there is something exciting about having candid photos as well. One of the easiest ways to enjoy candid photos without having to pay extra money is to simply get a disposable camera. This will prevent your child from losing their mobile phone while allowing them to enjoy vintage quality photos that they can add to scrapbooks and so on. These cameras can also make things a lot of fun because they are easy to use and will offer your student a surprise when the photos are finally developed.
6. Skip Official Photos
Speaking of photos, a lot of people are tempted to purchase official photos while they’re at the prom. These often end up looking awkward and are incredibly overpriced, which can really put a dent in your budget without giving you anything valuable. Rather than spend a small fortune on the official photos, you might consider asking someone to take pictures before the prom. Most people have high-quality cameras on their phones, so it shouldn’t be a stretch to get images that you’ll want to cherish for years to come. The hardest part might be finding a place to take the photos, but this shouldn’t be too hard to do.
7. DIY Corsage
The corsage can be a big part of your ensemble when it comes to prom. They can also cost you an arm and a leg. If you’re looking for a corsage for less, then one of the best things you can do is make your own. There are a lot of great corsages that you can make with very little effort, which can help you save big time. If you’re not sure where to begin, then you might start browsing around for tutorials online. This will help you to find a style that will suit your needs, so you can practice making the item. You can use fake flowers for the corsage or real flowers from your garden. You can also add in small details that you might not normally get when you order a corsage from a store.
8. Consider Hiring Students
If you don’t want to skip out on any services, then one thing you might consider is hiring students for the work. There are many high school and college students in cosmetology programs that can help you get the look you need for a price that is suitable for your budget. Even some fashion students might be willing to help with a dress or even slight adjustments to a dress or tux that is already owned. Photography is another area that you might consider using a student for. Shopping around for students will still get you the services you desire but will also help a student add to their resume or build their skills for the future.
9. Purchase Gift Cards
One easy way to get the things that you need is to purchase gift cards. A lot of the time, you can find these on websites at a discounted price. This will allow you to get even more out of your money, so you can buy the things you need. Gift cards are also a very convenient thing to hand over to your teen so they can purchase the items they need. This can ensure teens won’t go overboard when shopping and will allow you to set limits. You can also purchase gift cards for the restaurant after the dance, which will also help prevent overspending with ease.
10. Set Limits
Of course, one of the best things you can do before you even begin prom planning is to set limits. This is especially true when it comes to your budget. You should set a number before you even begin shopping around. From there, you can reduce the number to help save even more. This will help your teen learn boundaries while also ensuring that you won’t have to worry about going above and beyond to suit their prom expectations. Being clear about your limits in the beginning can also help your teen from getting attached to the items that are already out of their budget.
Prom doesn’t have to force you to max out a credit card or spend too much money on one single event. These ten ideas can help you save money while still having plenty of fun with the prom. So, don’t hesitate to start your prom shopping experience, because the longer you wait the pricier things will be.
