“I got quotes from a bunch of venues, and they all seemed similar, around $95. But when I got the actual paperwork and read the fine print, so many extra costs were added that the prices jumped to between $125 and $160. Prom Night Events was the only one that included everything upfront, and it ended up being one of the most affordable options.”
David – Randwick Boys High Year 10

When you’re looking at school formal packages in Sydney, it’s important to know the REAL prices so you can make a good choice. Make sure you understand exactly what’s included in the prices you’re quoted.

First, keep in mind that about 80% of what you’ll find is from the “Budget” end of the market. They’ll use terms like “Complete Package,” “All Inclusive Price,” and “Unbeatable Value.” But remember, in Australia, companies need to back up those claims. If it’s not in writing, it’s not real.

Always ask for the final, total, all-inclusive price, including GST, entertainment, security, decorations, booking fees, staff – everything. Get it broken down into one “per guest” price for exactly what you want. Once you do the math, those $95 prices might actually be closer to $135 or even more.

Also, don’t rely too much on what other year groups at your school paid for their formals. Their venues, number of guests, and included items might be very different from what you’re looking for. Plus, prices go up over time. The cost of things like food and electricity has increased by about 3.5% per year on average over the last decade, with this past year seeing a larger increase of up to 25% because of Covid-19.

Here’s something interesting: if you’re aiming for a budget of $85 to $95 per guest, you might miss out on a lot of options. The average price hasn’t been that low for quite a while.

Here’s a look at the average prices for a BASIC all-inclusive school formal package (minimum of 100 guests) over the past 2 decades:

• 2006: $105
• 2007: $107
• 2008: $111
• 2009: $111 (no increase due to GFC)
• 2010: $116
• 2011: $122
• 2012: $127
• 2013: $131
• 2014: $135
• 2015: $138
• 2016: $140
• 2017: $144
• 2018: $146
• 2019: $150
• 2020: $154 (less than 22% of formals went ahead due to Covid)
• 2021: $159 (less than 29% of formals went ahead due to Covid)
• 2022: $162 (still not back to normal)
• 2023: $165
• 2024: $166
• 2025: $168

These numbers are based on information from over 400 Sydney Secondary School Formal Committees during that time.

At Prom Night Events, we have software that can quickly calculate the exact “All-Inclusive” price for you. The price we give you is the real deal – no extra costs, no hidden fees, nothing to worry about. We’ll put it in writing and guarantee it.

The best part? We handle paying all the venues and suppliers for you. Once you book with us, we take care of everything else. Easy!