Prom is the spring dance that entails fancy gowns, full suits, and dates. In simpler terms, prom is a more serious, highly embellished homecoming dance. Similar to most events including special attention to appearance, the preparations for a girl going to prom are often far more extensive than those of a boy.

Of the countless expenses required for prom, the main money sucker is the all-mighty prom dress. Every girl wants a jaw-dropping, look-at-me dress. This often times comes with a look-at-me price tag. According to al.com, the average cost of a prom dress is about $250. And this price assumes the dress fits perfectly, and is in need of no alterations (which can run up to over $100, to hem and fit an intricate prom dress.) If you look at some of the most well known dress brands, for example Sherri Hill, prom dresses can run up to $800.

Once a girl has selected the perfect dress, next comes the accessories. Shoes can be purchased at zappos.com, ranging from $20-$400. Jewelry can be purchase at Charming Charlies, Target, Walmart, or smaller stores like Bangles and Bags in Delafield. Each of these stores provides a large selection of bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and rings. Many girls prefer to have a purse, to contain their belongings such as their phone and keys. Purses can be found at all of the stores listed above, all within a 10 mile radius of Arrowhead.

Perfectly manicured nails are often considered an important addition to the glitz of prom. At Elegant Nail Bar, located in downtown Hartland, a pink and white (french tip) acrylic set comes to a total of $50. This is the price preceding gratuity. However, often times nail salons will offer competitive pricing during prom and homecoming season. Lowering the price to about $45, give or take depending on the salon.

Prom is known for girls wearing extravagant up-dos. But boys frequently do their hair at home with a little gel in or maybe blowdry, if they’re really putting on the ritz. However, girls often times put in extensive research into the exact style they want their hair for prom.

Senior Lauren Henzlik says, “Last year, and this year, I spent a lot of time on Pinterest scrolling through my options to see what I wanted. By the time I was done searching, I could’ve probably written a research paper on every prom hair style.”

At Anton’s Salon & Spa in Delafield, the starting price for an updo is $67. The price can change according to the preference of the individual stylist, gaging how difficult the style was to execute.    

Lastly, comes the makeup. This is a preparation that is done completely by preference. Every girl prefers her own style, amount, and type of makeup. There are professionals available in the Delafield area to do makeup for women. However, some girls are hesitant to allow a stranger to do their makeup for fear that they might “over do it” or “cakeface” them, and potentially ruin their perfect prom look. Anton’s in Delafield does makeup application by their stylists for $40, or if you would prefer to have your makeup applied by an on site makeup artist the rate is $100/hour.

Adding together the average dress cost, accessory costs, nail costs, hair cost, and makeup expense the average total cost of attending prom as a female is a baffling $457. This number was found by adding the average prices for each preparation listed above. Now even this high price is assuming that the girl’s dress fits absolutely perfectly and does not need to be altered, and that she is not paying for her ticket. Prom tickets go on sale online only, beginning March 27 here.  Tickets are being sold for $70 each through April 1st, and $80 each from April 1-7th. Prom is a costly event, but it is a night that most people remember far beyond their high school lives.