P r o m Tips for Guys, Prom Costs, Tuxedo, Limousine, Corsage, Dinner

2008 Friar Tux Tuxedo-Him&Her

How Much Will the Evening Cost? / Ticket
Tuxedo / Corsage / Photographs / Limousine / Dinner

Prom Tips for Guys

Your "Prom Night" is one of the evenings you will remember for the rest of your life. There are many things you can do that will make the evening an especially enjoyable one. Of course everyone's idea of fun is different, so each of you will have slightly different needs, but there are some concerns and ideas that are relatively universal. These are three areas that we have found are asked about most often: How much will the evening cost? What are some ideas to make the evening more fun? and What should I do to prepare for unplanned occurrences? Remember, if you start planning three to four months in advance, you will best be able maximize your time and money.

H O W M U C H W I L L T H E E V E N I N G C O S T ?
The cost of Prom Night can vary greatly from around $150 to as much as $1500. But you don't have to spend a fortune to have a good time if you plan ahead and make intelligent choices. Just be sure that when you decide to spend money on a particular item the money spent is worth it to you. It is your money and your night; choose wisely. The following is a list of items that will probably be part of your evening's expenses:

T I C K E T :
This will vary from school to school. Some schools still have their proms in their school gymnasiums, and in these cases, the cost of the ticket could be as low as $20 per couple. But most high schools have their Junior-Senior Prom off-campus at a hotel, country club, or other ballroom facility. In a few of these cases, the ticket will cost $40-$50 per couple, but most prom tickets now cost between $100-$175 per couple. In these cases dinner is included in the dance price and your entire evening can be spent with your friends at the prom itself. If your prom's ticket is in the $100-$175 range, you and your date may want to consider splitting the cost of the ticket. Most students do. It is just too expensive for one person to pay for the whole thing.

T U X E D O :

2008 Friar Tux Tuxedo-Him&Her

Most guys wear tuxedos to their proms, which according to Emily Post is considered -semi-formal attire.+ But if you have a nice dark-colored suit, you might be able to wear that, depending on your particular dance. The school or social mores where you live may require a tux for the evening. But in California, people are much more unconventional and casual--so check out your options. ) If you rent a tuxedo (which can include shoes) for the evening, the going rate is $50-$150 depending upon what extras you might want. The fancier the tuxedo, the more expensive the price will be.

C O R S A G E :
It is customary for theguy to buy a corsage for his date. It can be a pin-on type, or one she can wear around her wrist. Some even buy a modified nosegay that a girl can carry in her hand. It is a good idea to know what color dress your date is wearing so that the corsage you choose doesn't clash. Some couples like to go together and choose the flowers. Again, how much you spend on this item varies greatly and what you want determines the cost. Most people spend $25-$50 on a corsage. But I have seen as much as $150 spent. Be wise in making your choice.

P H O T O G R A P H S :
There will be a photographer at the prom ready to take posed couple and group shots. These picture packages can often run you a lot of money, so get a price list from your Activities Office at school before that evening so that you will know how much money you will need to have for this. Most photographers will take checks with proper ID, or credit cards; so if you have either of these options available to you, it would be safer for you than carrying a lot of cash. You could spend anywhere from $35-$175 on pictures. Your parents and relatives may want copies, so calculate those needs into your picture order. These photographs will probably be a keepsake for years to come.

You may also consider taking informal shots of yourself and friends throughout the evening with your own camera. These photos may turn out to be your favorite remembrances from your prom night.

L I M O U S I N E :
A limousine is a very expensive extra for your prom night. It can be fun for three or four couples to go together to the prom in a limousine, and some do. Just be sure that you want to do this and budget accordingly. The standard cost for a limo for the evening starts around $400. If you split the cost between eight of you, it might be something you would like to do. But be sure to check to see that the limousine service is licensed by the state. Otherwise, there have been many horror stories about limo drivers leaving kids, asking for more money the evening of the prom, or not showing up at all if they get a better fare. Research the references of the service meticulously. Don't be sorry the evening of the Prom.

D I N N E R :
If your dance does not provide dinner, or if you just want to go somewhere to eat before you go to the prom anyway, there are many choices as to where you can eat. It is often fun if you go in groups of two to four couples. If your group is bigger than that, you may have difficulty finding seating in the restaurant of your choice. Be sure that you make a reservation at the restaurant ahead of time. You may want to tell the restaurant at the time you are making your reservation that you are going to your prom after eating, and will need to be served in a timely fashion. Restaurants are usually cooperative if you tell them your needs. In fact, many will try to help you make it a special night. Expense here can also vary dramatically. Often each person pays for his or her own dinner, but again that will depend on your situation. Just remember that Prom Night is expensive, and most students try to split the costs as evenly as possible. Dinner could run anywhere from $15-$25 per person.

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