Rising Prom Costs Leaving Many Kids Out

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- It's one of the most celebrated high school experiences, where love is discovered, friendships are fostered and memories are made.

At least that's how prom looks in the movies.

The reality is that those "midnight masquerades," "enchantments under the sea" and "midsummer night's dreams" have become the latest battleground between the haves and have-nots in this country.

Between tickets, attire, shoes, accessories, flowers, limousines, photographers and after-parties, the average family with a high school student attending the prom spent a whopping $807 this year, according to a recent survey by Visa.

But nearly a quarter of families spent nothing at all -- because they could not afford to go. "Some people are opting out entirely because times are tight and the social cost of admission is so high now," said Jason Alderman, director of Visa's financial education programs.

While some teenagers and their parents are willing to shell out close to $1,000 or more on their junior or senior prom, others, like 16-year-old Emily Butler, simply cannot afford it.

Although both her parents work, they have been hit hard by the real estate slump in Northern California and lost their home to foreclosure.

"Her prom was $65 per child just to go to the party, not to mention the dress, shoes, dinner, corsage or boutonniere, etc," Emily's mom Alicia Sylvia Butler said. "Several kids opted out of attending due to finances, our daughter included."

"If money was not an obstacle a lot of kids would have gone to that party," she added.

As a weak job market, falling home prices and rising inflation take a significant toll on many families' discretionary incomes, the richest Americans are watching their wealth surge, leaving little need to reel in such expensive prom parties.

"Prom inflation has run amok," Alderman said. "Ever more extravagant proms create a cycle of teenagers continuously trying to outdo each other, making the evening more and more expensive."

Samantha Goldberg, an event designer in New Jersey, says that the parties she plans get increasingly more elaborate year after year. "They want tents, lounges, ice sculptures and bars. Girls want a prom dress and a post-prom dress, some want custom designed gowns. You might as well call it a wedding."

Sophia Flot-Warner's daughter, Brionn, was also excluded from her senior prom in Houston, Tex. because of the cost.

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