The right dress, the perfect tux.

Kennedy’s senior prom is this Saturday, May 2, at the Cedar Rapids Czech and Slovak Museum from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Prior to the dance, a Grand March of seniors in their finest prom attire will take place at the Kennedy High School gymnasium beginning at 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Last year the average cost of prom for one person — male or female — ranged from $328 to $1,120. This year, prom businesses estimate costs are expected to remain around the same.

When searching for the perfect prom dress, often girls will go out of their way to get the right one.

“It was around $600, same with the dress I got last year,” Raley Hyde, sr., said about her purchase for this year. “I spent a lot on my dress because I wanted to make sure nobody else had the same one.”

While many people are aware of the obvious tux or dress purchase, some people can be blind to the possible small extra costs that can add up quickly.

There are strategies to avoiding high prices. Girls can borrow a dress from a sibling or friend to cut the money. Girls can also find deals on dresses online on sites such as eBay or through Facebook friends.

For guys looking to cut prices in half, many tux shops put discounts on tux rentals through places like Twitter or in magazine or online advertisements. Some businesses even set up ways to get a tux completely free for those who simply cannot afford it.

Finding a cheap and perfect dress can also just happen out of luck. Rylee Mitchell, jr., paid only $100 for her dress.

Other girls have other lucky ways of making costs simpler.

“I borrowed my dress for the first two proms I went to,” said Jess Wagner, sr., She will be attending her third prom this May. “I also go out of town for my flowers because they’re cheaper at other places outside of Cedar Rapids.”