Prom is just over a month away, which means it’s time for promposals, dinner reservations and picture venues. Between all the different factors that go into that one day, prom can get expensive. However, there are ways to save money if you look in the right places.

Hair and Makeup

Getting your hair and makeup done at a salon or boutique can get quite pricey, but there are alternatives and options to cut costs and still look good. If you’re confident in your own abilities, do your own! CVS has a huge selection of products to choose from that are affordable and still get the job done. Once a week practice mimicking a look that you like, that way when prom gets there, you’ll be ready, look good and you won’t break the bank.

If you’re not confident enough yourself, there are plenty of cosmetology students that would be willing to do your hair and makeup to practice for their future endeavors. These students would be willing to do it for a smaller price than others and work with you on what you like and dislike. To get in touch with someone, you can contact Swofford or find a Swofford Cosmetology student that would help you get in touch with people.

Dresses and Tux

You can’t have prom without having a prom dress, and with that comes a lot of shopping and searching. If you get a dress at the first place you find, you may end up getting cheated and paying more than you should.

Several websites such as Pinterest and Amazon have a wide variety of prom dresses for sale, and if you search hard enough, you can find deals to make the dress more affordable. However, if you choose to order a dress online, I would suggest ordering it ahead of time just in case the sizing is off, or it isn’t what you hoped for. Then you have enough time to find one you love.

There are also places such as David’s Bridal that may not be a typical prom dress store but have several cheaper options and a selection of bridesmaids dresses that can pass as cute prom dresses.

Mrs. Nunnemaker has a folder of prom dress coupons outside of her door that is there for anyone who needs them.

Food

Everyone needs some food to get their night started, but don’t get caught up in the fine dining just because it’s prom night.

Be sure to check the menu beforehand and ensure that the food is appealing and appetizing to you. Make a reservation somewhere you like, not just somewhere fancy (which usually equals to being expensive) because it’s prom. Don’t be afraid to order the smaller or kids portions; cutting costs wherever you can is important. Why order more food than you can eat?

There are plenty of affordable and appetizing restaurants to choose from, including The Hare and The Hound, Cheddars and Larkins on the River. While looking online, be sure to look at the dollar signs ($) beside their name: the more signs, the more expensive the restaurant is.

Pictures

Prom night is a night to remember, and you want to have pictures to look back on years from now. However, there isn’t any reason to go over the top if you’re looking to save money wherever you can. When picking out a place, pick somewhere close to the restaurant you decide to eat. That way you’re not wasting gas, and time, going from one side of town to the other.

There are a collection of places that are open to the public and make for cute photo backgrounds, including Milliken Park and Hatcher Gardens in Spartanburg and Falls Park in Greenville. These places are free, so you don’t have to worry about it breaking your wallet.

There is no reason to pay a photographer to take your pictures. Get a trusted family member that has a good phone or camera to take your pictures. With a huge group, it may take longer to get everyone’s pictures taken, but as long as you plan ahead for that, it’s definitely worth not spending the extra money on a photographer.

Prom can be expensive, but if you take the time to look for different options, you can still have a night to remember without worrying about how you’ll get back up after spending so much money.