As prom night gets closer and closer, students are dealing with excitement but also stress from having to plan one of the most anticipated nights in high school years. From finding the perfect outfit to budgeting and setting expectations, the road to prom night is different for everyone.

For senior Haylee Bottoms, preparation started well before the big night, all the way back in January, to be exact. Like many students, she found that planning comes with some unexpected pressure.

“The most stressful part is making sure my boyfriend has his suit for prom,” Bottoms said.

Sometimes social media plays a role in setting expectations and creating inspiration, but not for Bottoms.

“I don’t think [social media] is super important, I just don’t want to buy a dress that everyone has,” Bottoms said. 

As graduation is approaching, prom adds a little something extra special for Bottoms. Compared to other senior events, prom stands out in its need for preparation.

Finding a balance between fashion and affordability is another important factor to keep in mind.

“It’s senior prom so I’m not budgeting very much this year,” Bottoms said.

For junior Isabella Cain, prom planning has been a shared experience with her boyfriend of six months, junior Charles Thorton, although she’s taken over most of the planning responsibilities.

“We have the transportation, I have my outfit, we have who we’re going with figured out too,” Cain said. 

Timing has played an important role in staying organized.

“I started planning about a month ago because my parents were pressuring me and asking questions so I had to get all my stuff ready,” Cain said. 

Like many students, budgeting is part of the process.

“I spent about $350 on my dress and the shoes were like $80, so about $430,” Cain said.

Looking ahead, she’s focused on enjoying the moment.

“I’m looking forward to hanging out with my friends, my boyfriend, getting dinner and cute pictures,” Cain said. 

Not every student chooses to attend prom; junior Abbey Priddey offers a different perspective.

“Me and my boyfriend decided that we wanted to wait until our senior year to go, the idea is to have it exactly perfect down to an expensive dress and cute photos hoot. We agreed on it our freshman year and I wouldn’t change it whatsoever,” Priddey said.

For her, skipping prom doesn’t necessarily mean missing out.

“I don’t think I’m missing out because I get to spend that sentimental moment with one of the most important people to me,” Priddey said.

She also notes the social expectations that surround prom night.

“I do think there is a little bit of pressure, more so anxiety,” Priddey said. “The pressure falls into your friends and who you surround yourself with, I feel that people would much rather force themselves to do an activity just for peers to like them. The anxiety on the other hand is FOMO, you get to high school and have to wait two years to even go to a prom and I feel as if it leaves people thinking that they have to be there.”

“I think if your peers aren’t able to understand the situation you should probably step away and surround yourself with individuals who care. I’ve shared why I’ve waited to go and all of my friends have been understanding, I think my biggest advice would be to breathe, explain it, and if they don’t accept it that’s when you have to question the relationship,” Priddey said. 

Cost is another factor many students consider.

“To an extent, I do think [the cost] is worth it, if you are someone that cares deeply for the memories and want to go all out in order to make good ones then yes. On the other hand, if you are just going to say you went or want to go because it’s something that people have done for generations then it’s not worth the crazy expenses in my opinion,” Priddey said. 

Instead of attending, she has alternative plans: she and her boyfriend are going to spend the evening together, going out to dinner and then going back home.

Her perspective raises questions about how much importance is placed on prom.

“I do believe that schools make prom way more important than other things. It’s just like how people treat basketball games, if it’s the boys everyone will be there but if the girls are playing the stands are empty. Why is everyone so big on prom, but not supporting our fellow peers?” Priddey said.

Sophomore Alexandra Berryman brings a unique viewpoint as an underclassman invited to the prom.

“I’m most excited about getting to listen to music, getting ready and taking pictures with my friends,” Berryman said.

She has already started thinking about her look for the evening.

Music is another key part of the prom experience.“I have started planning what I was going to wear the second I was invited. I wanted a black, pearl, retro vibe for my outfit,” Berryman said.

Being invited as a sophomore adds a different layer to the experience.

“I feel incredibly special for being invited to my upperclassmen’s night,” Berryman said.

Her experience also sparks discussion about accessibility to underclassmen and why prom shouldn’t be open to them.

“I definitely don’t think prom should be open to all underclassmen, they’re loud and would ruin the whole vibe, I think the system is set up great in that way so the juniors and seniors can have their night,” Berryman said.

When imagining the perfect night, she keeps it short and sweet.

“Three words to describe my perfect prom night would be moonbeam ice cream because Benson Boone would want me to have a mystical magical time,” Berryman said.

“I need to hear “Where Have You Been” by Rihanna by the end of the night or something bad might happen,” Berryman said.

Whether students are planning months in advance, attending with a partner, choosing not to come, or experiencing it early, everyone prepares differently and everyone is just trying to have a good time.