How much money is too much money to spend on a high school prom?

The answer depends on your personal income, your view on what is "necessary" for prom and, in some cases, where you live.

Michele Kennedy of North Canton says she and grandma were willing to spend a little more on her daughter's senior prom because she's a senior and because they got away with homecoming dresses the last two years that were only $15 and $20.

"I'm going to say about $350 for the dress, the shoes were about $50 and her hair and make up is going to be about $150," said Kennedy.

Kathy Kennedy did not split with a $150 trip to the salon for her daughter's hair and make up.

"No, she did all that herself, $10 for a boutonniere and about $40 for dinner," said Kennedy, who also noted that she paid around $50 for her daughter's dress, much about 80% less than her last one.

Add to that the cost of tickets, which range from $30 per person at North Canton Hoover to $75 per couple for Tallmadge's prom at Todaro's Party Center.  Green High School students paid $70 per ticket if they used a discount.  Otherwise, it's $85 per head just to walk in the door.

Candy Franklin-Howe faced send a daughter and stepdaughter to their Kenmore High School senior prom last year at a time that her husband was unemployed.  One of the girls, for example, was satisfied to borrow a dress and shoes from a friend at another school.  The other was dropped off at the prom by her boyfriend's parents in their minivan - no limo!

Speaking of limousines, Michele Kennedy says she thinks that idea is taking it too far.

"My daughter's friend wanted a limo or a party bus," said Kennedy.  "It was going to be about $70 per child and I thought, 'this is ridiculous.' We're losing the whole point of the fun of prom."

Franklin-Howe would agree.

"It's not how much money you have," said Franklin-Howe.  "It's who you're surrounded with that will help you do what you need to do."

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