The Average Prom Night Costs How Much?!

The average family spends $1,139 on the big dance

By Alesandra Dubin - April 24, 2013

We already heard the average price of an American wedding is continuing to soar. So perhaps not surprisingly, the cost of prom is keeping pace -- with families spending an average of $1,139 in 2013, according to the results of a new survey released today by Visa.

That represents an increase of 5 percent over 2012, with the Northeast region leading the nation in spending (at over $1,500!) for the second year in a row. And guess what: Parents who fell in the lower income brackets tended to spend more than the national average, and single parents spent about twice as much as married parents for their child to attend the big dance.

All of this begs the question: Where on earth is all that money going?!

Well, of course it starts with the apparel, with the cost of many typical dresses hovering around $150 and up. And then there's hair and makeup, photos, limousine transportation -- and the cost of the dance tickets themselves.

Plus, the spending frenzy is often about keeping up appearances in school. "Prom has devolved into a competition to crown the victor of high school society, but teens shouldn't be trying to keep up with the Kardashians," said Nat Sillin, head of U.S. financial education for survey-sponsor Visa in a statement. "The prom is an opportunity to teach teens how to budget. If they want that sparkling dress, fancy dinner and limo ride, this is the opportunity to set a budget and save." And what better time for kids to learn then just when many are about to launch out on their own?

To that end, Visa has launched a new, free smartphone app called Plan'it Prom that lets users create a realistic budget, track their spending and stick to the plan.

And the company also offers tips to keep spending for the big day from veering way off the rails. For instance, shop for formal wear at consignment stores or online, have make-up done at a department store's cosmetics department, split the cost of a limo with others and take your own smartphone photos.

Alesandra Dubin is a Los Angeles-based writer and the founder of home and travel blog Homebody in Motion. Follow her on Twitter: @alicedubin.

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The Average Prom Night Costs How Much?!

The average family spends $1,139 on the big dance

By Alesandra Dubin - April 24, 2013

We already heard the average price of an American wedding is continuing to soar. So perhaps not surprisingly, the cost of prom is keeping pace -- with families spending an average of $1,139 in 2013, according to the results of a new survey released today by Visa.

That represents an increase of 5 percent over 2012, with the Northeast region leading the nation in spending (at over $1,500!) for the second year in a row. And guess what: Parents who fell in the lower income brackets tended to spend more than the national average, and single parents spent about twice as much as married parents for their child to attend the big dance.

All of this begs the question: Where on earth is all that money going?!

Well, of course it starts with the apparel, with the cost of many typical dresses hovering around $150 and up. And then there's hair and makeup, photos, limousine transportation -- and the cost of the dance tickets themselves.

Plus, the spending frenzy is often about keeping up appearances in school. "Prom has devolved into a competition to crown the victor of high school society, but teens shouldn't be trying to keep up with the Kardashians," said Nat Sillin, head of U.S. financial education for survey-sponsor Visa in a statement. "The prom is an opportunity to teach teens how to budget. If they want that sparkling dress, fancy dinner and limo ride, this is the opportunity to set a budget and save." And what better time for kids to learn then just when many are about to launch out on their own?

To that end, Visa has launched a new, free smartphone app called Plan'it Prom that lets users create a realistic budget, track their spending and stick to the plan.

And the company also offers tips to keep spending for the big day from veering way off the rails. For instance, shop for formal wear at consignment stores or online, have make-up done at a department store's cosmetics department, split the cost of a limo with others and take your own smartphone photos.

Alesandra Dubin is a Los Angeles-based writer and the founder of home and travel blog Homebody in Motion. Follow her on Twitter: @alicedubin.

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We love style on a budget, DIY projects you can do with your kids (or yourself), parties, FOOD, home decor (that functions and looks good), hairstyles and so much more! Curated by iVillage Staffers...

The very dirty truth about fashion internships... DUN DUN @srslytheshow http://t.co/wfewf

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Brace Yourself: The Average U.S. Wedding Costs...

According to the results of a new survey, the cost of an average wedding in the U.S. has gone up since 2008

By Alesandra Dubin - March 20, 2013

Analysts point to all sorts of signs to indicate economic rebound. If they're inclined to use the results of a recent wedding survey as an indicator, things look very good for the U.S. economy.

TheKnot.com and WeddingChannel.com just released the results of their annual survey. And with more than 17,500 2012 brides weighing in, results show that the average cost of an American wedding is now $28,427 — the highest it's been since 2008 (just as the bottom was beginning to fall out in the recession).

The most expensive place to get married? That might not surprise you: It's Manhattan, with a $76,678 average spend there — excluding the honeymoon! The least expensive state is Alaska, where the average couple spends $15,504.

The survey also revealed that the bulk of those costs were going to the venue, followed in order by the photographer, planner and reception band. The average engagement ring cost more than $5,000. The average gown ran a bride more than $1,200 last year, up almost $100 from 2011. And the average wedding cake set couples back about $560.

"In 2011, budgets increased for the first time since the economic downturn, and this past year, in 2012, we saw that wedding budgets are continuing to rise even more and to an all-time high since 2008," Knot co-founder Carley Roney said in a release. "Couples are increasingly less concerned with the economy and are comfortable investing more than ever in the once-in-a-lifetime experience of planning their wedding and making it a fabulous experience for their guests." 

We want to know: Does spending over $28,000 on a wedding sound about right to you — or completely crazy? Weigh in below!

GET MORE BUDGET AND STYLE IDEAS FROM REAL BRIDES IN OUR WEDDING INSPIRATION GALLERY AND WEDDING TIPS FROM OUR FAVORITE BLOGGERS.

Alesandra Dubin is a Los Angeles-based writer, iVillage's Chief Lifestyle Blogger, and the founder of home and travel blog Homebody in Motion. Follow her on Twitter: @alicedubin.

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We love style on a budget, DIY projects you can do with your kids (or yourself), parties, FOOD, home decor (that functions and looks good), hairstyles and so much more! Curated by iVillage Staffers...

The very dirty truth about fashion internships... DUN DUN @srslytheshow http://t.co/wfewf

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Brace Yourself: The Average U.S. Wedding Costs...

According to the results of a new survey, the average couple spends more than it has since 2008

By Alesandra Dubin - March 20, 2013

Analysts point to all sorts of signs to indicate economic rebound. If they're inclined to use the results of a recent wedding survey as an indicator, things look very good for the U.S. economy.

TheKnot.com and WeddingChannel.com just released the results of their annual survey. And with more than 17,500 2012 brides weighing in, results show that the average cost of an American wedding is now $28,427 — the highest it's been since 2008 (just as the bottom was beginning to fall out in the recession).

The most expensive place to get married? That might not surprise you: It's Manhattan, with a $76,678 average spend there — excluding the honeymoon! The least expensive state is Alaska, where the average couple spends $15,504.

The survey also revealed that the bulk of those costs were going to the venue, followed in order by the photographer, planner and reception band. The average engagement ring cost more than $5,000. The average gown ran a bride more than $1,200 last year, up almost $100 from 2011. And the average wedding cake set couples back about $560.

"In 2011, budgets increased for the first time since the economic downturn, and this past year, in 2012, we saw that wedding budgets are continuing to rise even more and to an all-time high since 2008," Knot co-founder Carley Roney said in a release. "Couples are increasingly less concerned with the economy and are comfortable investing more than ever in the once-in-a-lifetime experience of planning their wedding and making it a fabulous experience for their guests." 

We want to know: Does spending over $28,000 on a wedding sound about right to you — or completely crazy? Weigh in below!

Alesandra Dubin is a Los Angeles-based writer, iVillage's Chief Lifestyle Blogger, and the founder of home and travel blog Homebody in Motion. Follow her on Twitter: @alicedubin.

Connect with Us  Follow Our Pins

We love style on a budget, DIY projects you can do with your kids (or yourself), parties, FOOD, home decor (that functions and looks good), hairstyles and so much more! Curated by iVillage Staffers...

The very dirty truth about fashion internships... DUN DUN @srslytheshow http://t.co/wfewf

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Real time pics from iVillage staffers. Follow us for behind-the-scenes at the office, NYC sightings, celebrities, food, fashion, nails, and more!

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This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

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