With prom night, there are so many things to consider: dinner, photos, and post-prom, to name a few. The night could require a significant amount of money, money that you may or may not have. But your options are always open. Let staff reporter Rachel Skoza be your guide as she walks you through the expensive and cheap components of prom night.

Dress and tux

Expensive: Bridal store, tailoring/alterations, ordering online, buying your own tux

Although purchasing a dress online is easy and will save you a two-hour shopping trip, it may not be the best way to go. Trying on a dress to see if you really like it is best. That doesn't mean there's not a lot of good sites to browse for dresses. After all, you could always get it altered to fit you better (but keep in mind that alterations will cost you extra as well). Checking out promgirl.com, prom-dresses.net, or 4prom.com will surely provide tons of options. And for you guys who know your exact tux sizes and measurements, tuxedos.com or David's Bridal (2022 N. Prospect Ave., Champaign), Michelle's (2210 N. Willow Road, Urbana), Ducky's Formal (134 E. University Ave., Champaign), or Joseph Kuhn & Co. (33 E. Main St., Champaign). Some such places are even willing to provide you with complementary dress and tuxedo fittings/alterations.

Cheap: Department store sales, borrow from friend, prom projects, make your own, rent a tux

Department stores like Macy's, Sears, and JCPenney (all located at 2000 N. Neil St. in Market Place Mall) have a vast supply of prom dresses. Anyone would easily find something for under $200, or even under $100. As convenient as it is, usually department store dresses lack uniqueness. You might run the risk of buying the same dress as another girl!

For a potentially better bargain, you can find someone like your older sister or a good friend, who is willing to lend you an old dress. More than likely they would be willing to share since prom dresses rarely have the opportunity to be worn more than once or twice. At the same time, they probably spent a decent amount of money, and you would get the chance to flaunt an apparently expensive dress without actually burning a hole in your pocket. But if really want your own personal dress, the absolute perfect one for you, this choice might be a bit dull.

Another way of getting a cheaper dress would be going to a local prom project. These prom projects (typically with free admittance) often provide free personal assistants who aid you in finding the perfect dress for you, and allow for a wider selection than the dresses hanging in your sister's closet. Of course, you run into similar problems in the sense that you not only are clueless as to who the previous owner of the dress was, but it may be more difficult to find exactly the length, color, and style you were looking for.

Some girls have been known to make their own prom dresses. There is even the rise of the popular "duck tape dress." This would include a lot of time and effort, but nonetheless would most likely be an accurate reflection of how you want to appear on prom night. Keep in mind, though, depending on the level of your ability, that your creation may potentially lack a certain look of professionalism.

As for the boys, one of the cheapest and most popular options is renting a tux. Although it is still fairly costly, the price is nowhere near that of buying a tux. It's also probably safe to assume that renting would be the most effective use of your money since very few high school boys have reason to use it more than once. Moreover, they are still growing, and it could be seen as unreasonable to buy something so expensive if you won't fit into it next year.

Dinner

Expensive: Fine dining

You'll want to check out last year's Gargoyle restaurant guide for ideas. There are plenty of places on or near campus in Urbana if you want to be closer to the Alumni Center (site of the prom), but Champaign also has a few good options.

Cheap: Drive-thru, dinner party at home

If you really don't want to spend more than $10, be my guest and take a pit stop at a fast-food drive-thru (at least you will save yourself some money). My only suggestions would be to make sure not to get hamburger grease on your dress/tux while you eat in the car (especially if it's rented or borrowed, since you will most likely have to pay for any stains). Also, be sure that you and your date are comfortable skipping the fancy dining. Some people have higher expectations on prom night, and it would be uncomfortable if your date wasn't pleased. After all, you're with them for the entire night.

A dinner party would be the better way to go. make it classy, because after all, it is prom! Preparing a homemade meal and having guests over would be cozy, and it'd be in the comfort of your own home. The meal doesn't have to be that fancy, either; cook up something you have sitting in your pantry already. Play some relaxing music and light a few candles, and there you have it — $50 to $80 saved from an expensive dinner for you and your date! Just be sure to set aside time to prepare the dish.

Pictures

Expensive: Professional photography

There are usually professional photographers present at proms, but if not, hire someone to come to your house, or go to a photography studio before dinner. If you're looking for proximity, Illini Studio (319 Prospect Ave., Champaign) is a solid option. The quality will be professional, but it will cost extra.

Cheap: Use your own camera

Take some cool pictures at your house! Pictures may be dreadful with all your parents fussing over you, making you pose by yourself, with your date, with the girl group, with the guy group, or whatever. But make it fun! Do some crazy poses and show off. Looking back on these pictures will make you remember prom for years. I know for a fact that my date is coming to my house, and we're taking pictures of just us two there, then we're going back to his house because, of course, his parents want pictures of their own. After that, we'll meet up with our dinner group and take yet even more pictures. My mouth will definitely hurt from smiling so much.

Transportation

Expensive: Rent a limo

It may seem slightly absurd to rent a limo, on account of the fact that it will only be used to drive you from your house to prom. But prom pictures with a limo in the background are sweet. Looking to rent a limo? Check out Illini Limo & Taxi or limos.com. Take note, however, that there are limited available limousines for May 17 due to Uni High sharing its date of prom with other surrounding high schools. If you haven't made any plans yet, you may have to look to out-of-town businesses to find something available.

Cheap: Take your own car, carpool with friends

This is just as fun as taking a limo, if you don't have a really crappy car. Just clean it up a bit, and you'll be fine. You can even decorate it with window paint to make it more exciting. And if there are two couples, then carpool. It won't hurt to sit in the back seat with a prom dress on, because at least you'll be saving some gas money, and you'll have your friends surrounding you.

Hair, nails, and makeup

Expensive: Go to a salon, get a manicure/pedicure, get a makeover

To get the full package (hair, nails, and makeup), multiple department stores attached to Market Place Mall have convenient stations to get you all pampered up. Some such stores provide free makeovers in exchange for the purpose of one or two of their items. Another possibility to get the full package is at Limited Edition Hair Studio Inc. on 411 Dunlap Ave. in Savoy. Make reservations ahead of time, and come in with an idea of what you want. For example, in regard to makeup, a "natural look" to you can be the equivalent of another person's "over the top." Pictures from magazines and online will help.

Cheap: Do it yourself!

Unless you're horrible at this kind of thing, then it should work for you. If not, then ask your mom, your friend, or your sister. This is one of the most fun things about preparing for the big night. Play some loud music in your room with your girlfriends and have some fun with it. And if you mess up your hair or don't like your makeup, you didn't pay for it, so you can just fix it yourself. Have all your friends bring their beauty products so you not only have access to your own straightener but to your friend's curling iron as well.

Just remember that whatever you do with your hair and makeup, make it work with a masquerade mask, so you can enter the sweepstakes for the iPod Touch at prom!

Jewelry and accessories

Expensive: Buy something new to match your dress, go to jewelry store

Bridal stores have jewelry available, so you could walk away with everything you need. But a nice matching necklace and earrings may run up to another $80 to $100, like this jewelry set from DavidsProm.com. On the other hand, it may be worth it for you … this could be your first/last prom ever!

Cheap: Use jewelry you already own, borrow from mom or friends

Buy shoes at Payless. Promising looking Web sites for accessories might include emitations.com, glamforless.com, or advantagebridal.stores. Besides, keep in mind that boys have a much more difficult time distinguishing the expensive from the "on sale" items; your date will think you look like a million dollars no matter what you wear.

Post-prom

Expensive: Have a party at your house

This will not only cost money, but it will also require a lot of planning. You will need to coordinate with your parents, and will need to supply drinks, food, and decoration, and (unless you want to clean a lot of dishes) you will also probably need plastic cups and paper plates. Be conscious of what's in your house, so nothing gets stolen or broken, and be prepared to clean up the next day. Also, despite the freedom you're given in having it at your house and under your conditions, keep in mind that you can be held responsible if any illegal activities take place.

Cheap: Go to your school's post-prom, go to someone else's house

Going somewhere else is often cheaper and doesn't require as much planning. There is currently no post-prom for Uni students, but if you are attending another local school prom, take advantage of the facilities. There are often pools, hot tubs, gymnasiums, etc. available, and although it may cost you an entrance fee, the price is typically fairly reasonable for a night's worth of activities (plus the money will usually benefit the organization hosting the post-prom, such as your school's parent/faculty organization). Attending a post-prom at another student's house would be your cheapest option, but again, weigh your options and keep in mind that if you're caught surrounding yourself with people, or you yourself are engaging in illegal activities, there may be school-related repercussions.