Prom is a night people wait years to experience and a night people will talk about for years after. A lot goes into getting ready for it and, with everything from clothes to flowers to worry about, it can be overwhelming…and expensive. But if you look hard enough, you can find everything you need for prom without going completely broke.

Dress/Tuxedo

For guys and girls alike, there is a lot of pressure to look your best for prom. Girls, this means searching for the perfect dress. Guys, this means finding a tuxedo that doesn’t make you look like you grabbed something from your dad’s closet. Luckily, there are plenty of places to find the best outfit.

Men’s Warehouse is a good place to get a tuxedo if you are looking for a lot of choices. They have many different styles of tuxedos and suits in general. And there are a variety of prices, so everyone can find something within their budget.

If you prefer something more local, BJ’s, located in downtown Antioch, Ill., is another great place to find an outfit for prom. While they may not have as big of a selection, they have quality products for cheaper prices than larger, chain stores.

For dresses, head to David’s Bridal for plenty of variety. You can either make an appointment, or just browse on your own. If you can’t make it to one of the many stores, they have all the dresses seen in the store and many more on their website.

Another store to check for great dresses is Macy’s. Even though their selection is not quite so large, they have

relatively low prices. Also, they keep track of the dresses that are bought and what school the person who bought the dress goes to. This helps ensure you don’t have the same dress as someone else from your school.

If you are really on a budget, check local thrift stores and consignment shops, such as Ooh La La Boutique in downtown Antioch. They have unique dresses that can’t be found in other stores, and most of the time, you can find dresses for really cheap prices. Small boutiques are also a good place to find unique dresses. They won’t be as cheap as a dress from a consignment shop, but by shopping at a small store, you can definitely save money.

Flowers

While the flowers aren’t an essential part of your prom ensemble, if you choose to have them, it is important that they look nice. Fortunately, you don’t have to travel very far to get them.

There are three local flower shops in Antioch: Floral Acres, Laura’s Flower Shop and Antioch Flower Shop. All three of these shops allow you to order different flower colors and types. They also have good prices for their products.

Another option for your prom flowers is Jewel. Although their flower stock is smaller, it is still a convenient option.

Accessories

Accessories are just as important as your dress, and there are lots of them to think about.

For shoes, head to either DSW or Payless. Both places have cheaper prices and a wide range of shoes to choose from. DSW offers some more expensive options if you have the budget for it, but they also have an extensive clearance section. You can find shoes up to 70 percent off.

Payless doesn’t offer the high-end shoes that DSW does, but they have cheaper prices. They also have just as big of a selection to choose from. They often run sales when you can find shoes for a lot cheaper than the original price.

For jewelry and purses, check out Charming Charlie. They have an incredible variety of both. The store is laid out by color so you will be able to find the exact shade you need to match your outfit. They also have a range of prices, so even if you don’t have a lot to spend, you can find something you’ll love.

Another option is to borrow accessories from your friends or family. If your friends have gone to prom before, check out what they have and see if you can use it. Do the same if you have older siblings. Or just reuse what you already have. You can save a lot of money this way.

Hair/Makeup

Your hair and makeup for prom are other important parts of your ensemble. There are quite a few salons that will do both, so you can save time by only going to one place.

Living Well is one of a few local salons that do both hair and makeup for prom. They are conveniently located right downtown in Antioch, which is nice on the day of prom. They have multiple stylists to choose from, so you can find someone whose style you like.

Other options include Salon Bliss, Jandee’s Salon, Gemini Salon and Spa and Salon Sage. These salons may not all do hair and makeup, but they are still good places to go for your hair. They all have talented stylists that will work hard to give you the perfect prom hairstyle.

Another option is to do your hair and makeup yourself or with friends. If you all get ready together, it will be like a spa day before prom. This can be the most fun and also saves you money.

Nails

Painting your nails is a delightful way to add something to your look for prom. From classic to funky, there are many ways to express yourself. There are also lots of places to get your nails done.

Queen Nails and Queen Nails II are popular locations. They have almost every kind of manicure from gel to traditional, and even have the option to have designs done. Their prices are relatively cheap, starting at $14 for a manicure. And they are local, which is great for convenience.

If you like local businesses, Nails 4 U and Professionail are two more places to get your nails done for prom. Nails 4 U doesn’t have as many options for manicures, but they have lower prices than the Queen Nails salons. Professionail has the lowest prices of the four salons, but they also have the least amount of options. But if you are just looking for a traditional manicure, they are a good option.

Of course, doing your nails yourself is cheapest. Or you can grab your friends and do each others’ nails. You may not be able to do anything other than a traditional manicure, but you do have complete control over the style. Make sure you practice before prom, though, to make sure you’re happy with the way they turn out.

Pictures

The pictures you take the night of prom will stay with you for years to come—so you want to make sure you like the ones you take.

The school normally has a photographer that will take pictures before the buses leave, making it most convenient. However, you are limited with what you can do in the actual pictures. Most of the time, the pictures are traditional prom pictures with one background. If that’s the style of photo you’re looking for, the school photographer is a good option.

The other option is to take the pictures yourself. This way you can have more fun and be more creative with the photos. You can choose the location you would like, such as the Hiram Buttrick Sawmill in town, which is always a popular place for pictures.

Taking your own photos also allows more freedom in posing your pictures. Instead of being limited to mostly traditional poses, you can do whatever you want. Some people even go for themes, such as superheroes. Also, taking pictures yourself will save you money, because it’s free. This is especially nice when you consider all of the other things you need to buy for prom.

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There are so many things to think about when it comes to prom.  And all of those things can add up to a lot of money coming out of your pocket—but don’t let that overshadow your special night. If you do your research, you can save a lot of money and still look your best.