So much has changed with senior prom since the 1980’s. You just don’t go your junior and senior years; you can go when you’re a freshman if you want. There is no decorating committee. The lunchroom isn’t decorated for the big event—you actually travel to a real event venue. Sophomores aren’t embarrassed by having to serve the upperclassmen their food in some ridiculously-themed costume. There is no reading of the will and prophecies. You may travel to and from the prom in a rented limousine or party bus. Dinner IS still served at prom, but not by the cafeteria ladies. And, you don’t eat it. You leave extra early and stop to eat at a restaurant on the way.
And the cost! Senior prom in 1987 cost me about $80. I found the cutest black dress on a clearance rack in the mall and charged my jewelry to my dad’s account at the pharmacy. My date’s sister made our boutonniere and corsage. I did my own hair, my own makeup and wore black pumps I already owned. Today, senior prom can easily run a girl’s parent close to $1,000. By the time you pay for the dress (upwards of $600 in some cases), clutch purse, shoes, jewelry, hair, makeup, nails, limo, dinner and boutonniere—if there’s a date, parents are easily spending a grand. I didn’t even account for spray tans/tanning beds, special bras or tips. Oh my, how times have changed.
Despite all the differences, one thing remains the same. It’s a chance for the ladies to get all gussied up and feel absolutely beautiful for the evening. They get to forget about jeans, athletic clothes, and messy hair-do’s and just experience being young lady they are becoming while wearing a formal dress!
For the last three or four years, I’ve documented a small group of young ladies getting their hair and makeup done for prom. Here they are again!
Senior Prom
The post, Senior Prom is NOT the Same!, first appeared on Ata-Girl Photography Co.’s website and blog. Please feel free to comment here, or share this post with your friends via Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest. Please email me if you have any questions about this article or want to share a neat idea for a future blog post with me.
