Believe it or not, but prom season is just around the corner. Whether you’re a parent shopping for your child or a student looking for great ways to save money, there’s one thing you should keep in mind. That is, your pre-party. Although prom day is usually all about the dance and the after party, hosting a pre-party with your girlfriends can actually be one of the best ways to save on money. You may consider hosting a party a few weeks before the actual dance and then another on the day of to make your prom experience even more delightful. Not sure how this will save you money? Well, here’s ten things to implement into your pre-party game that will make prom as frugal as can be!
1. Eat
A lot of couples or groups are all about going out to eat before the big party. It isn’t a big deal, but you do usually end up spending more money on this meal than you normally would. This is largely because the night seems to go hand in hand with extravagance which isn’t exactly great when you’re on a budget. Rather than having a restaurant splurge on your schedule order in some food and enjoy it while you get ready. This won’t just be cheaper but it will also allow you to spend more time getting ready, rather than making your prep time feel rushed. It also means the likelihood of getting food on your prom attire isn’t as likely, so you’ll feel fresh throughout the date. Between pizza, Chinese and other takeout dishes you should also stay full throughout the night which should help you enjoy all the dancing more.
2. Hair
An afternoon at the salon is likely to cost you a pretty penny, especially as prom crunch time occurs. Rather than paying extra to book an appointment and for the hair do, you could easily stay home and enjoy more time with your friends. For instance, a couple of weeks prior to prom you and your friends can easily start browsing around for hairstyles you absolutely adore. Try to find tutorials to figure out how the style is accomplished and then put in some practice. You can all easily find the look you’re wanting this way and, thanks to the help of your friends, you can get it accomplished for next to nothing. When you host your actual pre-prom party then everyone will know what to do to make sure you all look fabulous without spending a penny in the salon. You can even pull all of your hair supplies to ensure no one has to spend extra on more supplies!
3. Manicures and Pedicures
Who doesn’t love a bit of pampering before a special evening out? The only problem is salons and nail studios are going to be over booked during this period which means you’ll end up paying more even if you have a coupon! Instead of leaving the house to get a bit of pampering and some flawless nails, have a spa session during your pre-party. You can easily work up a DIY foot bath at home and if you all bring nail supplies you should have enough to do just about anything you set your minds to. Try to find some online tutorials to help you out and practice when you all get together a couple of weeks before prom begins. With a little nail polish and a few print out stencils your group may have the best nails at the dance. Not to mention, you will have had the most fun getting them done!
4. Makeup
When you host your pre-party a couple of weeks before the big day, have everyone bring over their favorite makeup. This will allow you to know just what you have to work with on the big day, just in case anyone does need to go and make last minute purchases. Once you have a pretty good inventory list, start looking online to see if anything calls out to you. When you have a few options in mind then let the fun begin! With a few tutorials you should be able to find a look that everyone will adore! You may even want to take turns applying the styles so you can see who applies which look the best. This will allow you to have a complete game plan for your party on prom day which will allow everyone to get the style they want without having to pay for a makeup artist. Of course, asking a parent, family member or friend that does great makeup is also an option if they’re willing to help out for free.
5. Make a Corsage
Typically, your date is supposed to bring you a corsage but the times are a-changing, right? Rather than have your date spend a small fortune on a corsage that may not match your dress anyway, you can easily create your own while having a good time with friends. There’s a lot of different ideas you can incorporate into your design, which will give it a more personal feel. For instance, you can create matching corsages for you, your date, your friends and their dates. Or, if you and your date like a specific interest then you can easily add your fandom to the mix with a charm, pendant or a simple print out. Try to find a basic tutorial online that suits your interests and then add on to it to make the corsage yours. If you’re really trying to save some money then you don’t even have to use real flowers, unless you happen to have some growing in your garden! When you finish your corsage then make a matching one for your date’s lapel! The key to the DIY corsage, is to use items you or your friends have lying around so you don’t have to spend any extra on this classic prom accessory.
6. Raid Closets
Chances are, you and your friends have a lot of dresses that are sitting around collecting dust. This could come in handy if you have friends that are of a similar size or if you have dresses in your closet that range in sizes. When you host your party before the big day then ask your friends to bring over all of their dresses that could use a little TLC or could already pass as a stunning prom dress. Once everyone has arrived put on a little fashion show so each of you can pick something that will suit your style and tastes! Choosing a dress from your friends’ closets will help you save hundreds of dollars on prom, so don’t be afraid to try on everything! Once you’ve all made your picks make sure it’s okay to alter the dress if need be. There’s lots of great tips online for altering clothesor you can ask a parent or friend who is skilled in this area. Once the dresses fit perfectly then look for ways to improve them. A few appliques or beads here and there can make all of the difference. You may also want to consider jewelry pieces, shoes and gloves that you may want to wear to the big event. Once everything is ready to go then set it aside until you’ve eaten and finished up your hair, nails and makeup!
7. Take Photographs
If someone in your group is a photographer then you’re already good to go! If not, then try to take as many pictures as possible as you all have fun getting ready. When your dates arrive to pick you up make sure to take turns taking several photos of each couple! You may also want to ask a parent, sibling or anyone else in the home to take a few group photos, especially of you and your friends. Although, you may already have several parents flashing their cameras away! By capturing so many special moments from the pre-party as well as when your dates pick you all up, you may not feel as obligated to spend a fortune on the pictures offered to you by the school. Generally, these don’t come at a great price and often they don’t turn out so great so you may not be missing out on anything by not filling out the order form.
8. Relax
Your night is going to feel pretty intense. Between all the dancing, laughing and fun you’re going to be doing you may feel pretty worn out by the end of the night. This is never good, especially when prom only comes around once or twice in a lifetime. Instead, take some time out with your friends to watch movies, nap, do some yoga or anything else that makes you feel rejuvenated and ready to go. By taking some time out of the day to unwind you’ll actually end up getting more out of your prom experience. For instance, if you wind up wanting to come home mid-way through the evening then you won’t get your money’s worth out of the expensive prom ticket. You may also not be able to have as much fun during the after party if you bought a ticket for that event too.
9. Pack for the After-Party
Most schools host an after-party, which is a great way to make the night last longer while making even more exciting memories! Of course, it is also one of the cheaper and safer after-party options when prom is over. If you’re planning on enjoying your after party you may want to pack a few things that make the night all the more fun. For instance, where would you be without a cozy pair of pajamas? If you’re feeling bored, you and your friends can DIY some t-shirts for your group so you’ll look even more snazzy in the selfies you take throughout the night! You’ll also want to gather your sleeping bag and pillow. Finally, frugal snacks are going to be a must especially if you plan on staying up all night and talking after spending the night dancing. Veggie sticks are a great option for this and they’ll satisfy most appetites. If you have to have a dipping sauce then add some homemade ranch to a Tupperware or pack some peanut butter. Of course, if you really want to get noticed for your snacks then utilize your baking skills! From simple rice krispy treats to cookies and brownies, a few cheap baked goods will make the night all the more special.
10. Carpool
Many couples and groups want to make a grand appearance in a limousine which is fine in theory. However, if you want to spend hours working off the limousine tab then you may want to make things a little bit easier on yourself and your friends. Instead of renting a vehicle just carpool with one another. Try to choose whoever has the best vehicle or have a parent drop off your group. It may not be as glamorous as the limo concept but you’ll be saving a lot more money and you’ll be doing Mother Earth a big favor. Of course, if you live close to the venue then you could always start your own little parade to the dance, complete with music and all of your wonderful styles!
Prom doesn’t have to be a huge expenditure if you don’t want it to be. Instead, you can make it all about friends and making precious memories you’ll remember long into adulthood. With these ideas for your prom pre-parties you should be able to find an extraordinary look that doesn’t just flatter you but makes you feel fabulous for your special day!
