The Best Prom Money Can Buy: South Suburban Spending Habits

For some, prom is the apex of the high school experience—a magical night to be looked back on with nostalgia for years to come. 

Others will recount it as a well-dressed ten-ton credit-munching beast with an insatiable appetite. Like Matt L., our Tinley Park Patch Facebook friend who needed several years to pay his parents off his parents for a prom loan. Or Angie S. from Oak Lawn, who budgeted $1,000 for her daughters’ proms (and she’s not the exception).

Now that we’re in the heart of prom season, we were curious to hear about the financial impact prom has on the typical south suburban family. How much does the average local family spend on a prom, and who foots the bill? Mom and dad, or the teens?

We asked our Facebook fans across the region for some insight.

Here’s a glimpse of what we heard:

($)1000 complete split 50/50. Charles L. on Mokena Patch Facebook

In my opinion, each person should be responsible for their own outfits. Next, whose prom is it? If both, then share dinner expenses. If it's someone's prom but not the other's or they go to different schools, then whomever's prom it is should pay for dinner. As far as expenses, each family decides what they will pay for an outfit, and as for dinner I think it should be a nice dinner, but not a crazy expensive one. —Michelle P. on New Lenox Patch Facebook

The teens should pay for everything. I got a p.t. job just for prom. —Barry R. on Chicago Heights Patch Facebook

My son has been trying to find a job with no luck, so my husband and I are covering the expense....$165 for prom ticket (his date will buy her own) and $200 for tux/shoe rental. —Kathy D. on Oak Lawn Patch Facebook 

I think there can be a good balance. My parents were more than happy to help me pay for my share of the limo way back when because that would seriously reduce the chances of me not getting into a car with inebriated teenagers, etc. The corsage for my date I believe I paid for. —James O. on H-F Patch Facebook

From a 2005 prom participant, it took me 2-3 years to pay off the money my parents loaned me for prom weekend. My parents and I have always functioned this way - no freebies: if you're getting money from us it's "on a loan" - and it really taught me to a) repay all debts FIRST, and b) money advanced via credit card or loan isn't "free money". It also was a really big shock and surprise at my wedding, as I still owed my parents a little bit left from high school/college loans, and as a wedding gift my mom cancelled out the remaining debt. —Matt L. on Tinley Park Patch Facebook

I think prom is a big waste of money! So many girls' dresses are age inappropriate and starting to look like the dresses on My Big American Gypsy Wedding. ick! —Oona R. on Oak Lawn Patch Facebook 

Last year we paid for most of prom for my son, now this year he is attending with his girlfriend for her school and he is paying for it. Only once from us. —Anita T. on Tinley Park Patch Facebook

My mom paid for my dress, hair, etc, but set a strict budget for it all. If it didn't fit the budget, I didn't get it. I thought it was fair and I had a great time and looked good doing it. There's no reason prom has to cost $500 or more...those kids are just spoiled. —Katie R. on H-F Patch Facebook

At the beginning of their Sr. yr. I told my daughters I would match what they saved (knowing they were not good about saving $$). They saved nothing. I then paid for half of their dress and that's all. Since they didn't save, they couldn't get nails and hair and shoes, etc. Their friends did their hair and makeup. They did their own nails and borrowed shoes. And they looked beautiful! —Sharon T. on Oak Forest Patch Facebook

Just raise your kids as solid punk rockers, the DIY ethic is much cheaper. —Tobias C. on H-F Patch Facebook

I had prom in 2003, me and my boyfriend at the time paid for it ourselves. I never asked my parents for a dime. —Jessica L. on Tinley Park Patch Facebook

I'm covering the expenses for my daughter's prom. As a parent and someone WHO dropped out I want her to have all the experiences she can. It's a right of passage for kids. They are only young once. My girl's dress is very age appropriate. Moms need to have a say in the selection. Our budget is $1000. —Angie S. on Oak Lawn Patch Facebook 

My mom bought my dress for me...but that's because i absolutely didn't want to go and she had to bribe me in the first place lol. —Terri W. on Oak Forest Patch Facebook

$350. for parents of the girl if it's senior prom. $150 for junior prom. Only if she has good grades of course (A's & B's). I can't remember the boy cost. —Renee H. on H-F Patch Facebook

I reused a bridesmaid's dress that I wore 4 years prior. My mom bought the dress because I was only 14 at the time. It was beautiful and economical. I just had to pay for my hair, the dress cleaning, and the ticket. Nobody sat there and fainted over me reusing my dress. Heck, people probably did not know without me telling them! My parents believed in taking care of me but also wanted me to be a responsible person. —Sarah K. on Oak Lawn Patch Facebook 

My mother in law paid for my daughters dress and accessories. School Fundraisers to pay for tickets. —Teena L. on Chicago Heights Patch Facebook

… here's a hint IT'S NOT A WEDDING. The amount of $ people think they have to drop on a DANCE is ridiculous. Another hint tell your kid NO... NO ...NO. —Jennifer M. on Tinley Park Patch Facebook

What's the final say on prom spending in your family? What's the budget, and who pays? Tell us in the comments.