Love don't cost a thing, but Houseparties does

From the bands to the food, the flowers to the dresses, Houseparties is a grand affair. It shouldn't be surprising then, that this three-day event — perhaps the height of Princeton extravagance — costs, well, a small fortune.

The eating clubs bear most of the expenses. One club treasurer said in an email that the social fund budget for this weekend is roughly $25,000, or a quarter of the club's annual social fund budget. This particular club expects roughly 230 people for formals night and slightly more for brunch on Sunday. Eating club costs may include bands, food, staff, decorations and tents.

"I guess when I think about it, that figure makes sense," says Jana Holt '08. "That's actually quite a lot of money, but then it's the same concept as having a wedding reception."

The University also contributes funding to the weekend. According to Dean of Undergraduate Students Kathleen Deignan, the Alcohol Initiative is allocating $15,000 for this year's campus band event that will take place at the Quadrangle Club.

"The AI grant for this event is the biggest grant we awarded this year and represents about 12 percent of our total budget," Deignan said in an email. "Every year we like to sponsor one or two very large events such as this."

Deignan added that this funding is supplemented by the USG and Quad itself. "The USG Social Chair budget has approved spending up to $15K" for this event, Dara Deshe '07, the USG Social Chair, commented in an email. "It definitely changes every year depending on the group and the USG spring concert."

Many students may not think about how much the clubs are paying for Houseparties because they are preoccupied with expenses of their own — dresses, suits, tuxedos, flowers, cigars and alcohol.

"Houseparties is definitely an excuse to buy things I don't need and spend too much on clothes," said Patrice Wylly '08 in an email. She added that she would be getting a manicure.

Another sophomore, who wished to remain nameless, said she went shopping in the city and bought three new dresses and earrings. When asked how her purchases compared to other students', she said, "I really don't know how to judge what's average for Princeton, but since I wound up with three new dresses, [I] probably [spent] more." She added, however, that she planned to make use of the semi-formal and lawn parties dresses over the summer.

Many of the students questioned, however, chose not to splurge on new dresses. Alissa Lorentz '09, said she definitely is not planning to purchase anything for Houseparties. "I'll just wear something simple and dress it up with makeup and hair," she said. Zachary Savage '08 estimated he would probably spend $60 total on the weekend to buy flowers for his date and to get his tuxedo dry-cleaned.

For some students, the cost of Houseparties varies considerably depending on whether they take a date.

"I think that probably the biggest factor in how much you spend is who your date is, [and] how much you want to impress them," said Raquel Frisardi '06. "I definitely spend more when my date is someone with whom I'm romantically involved. When I've gone to semi-formals and things on my own, I've never bothered buying lots of nice stuff."

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When it comes to sharing the expenses, though, Frisardi thinks girls bear more of the burden. Estimating her costs for the weekend at $150, Frisardi said, "Girls definitely spend way more than boys, since boys can recycle the same suits and tuxes for pretty much all two years they're in a club!"

Shayla Mulvey '08 agreed that girls generally don't have the luxury of wearing the same outfit multiple times—or at least, that they don't usually want to. "I would only wear a dress twice in one year if I hadn't just worn it to the most recent formal," she said.

In addition to spending more money, many students said, girls spend more time preparing for Houseparties.

"I definitely need an entire day [to go dress shopping], considering I am so picky and indecisive," said Kayle Shapero '08 via email. Shapero added that since stores in the Princeton area are expensive, she bought her dress at home over winter break, "in the interest of time and money." In contrast, Samuel Dodson '08 said he hadn't "spent more than a few minutes" thinking about what to wear.

Still, there are exceptions to every rule, and certainly not all female students spend a lot of time shopping. Alice Garabrant '08 said she found her dress in two hours and saves time buying dresses for events in the future "when [she] sees them, if they're a good deal."

Male students certainly have expenses as well. "In my experience, guys tend to ask girls [to Houseparties] more often," said Lauren Tracey '08. That can mean paying guest fees, typically in the $25-$50 range, if the date isn't a member of the same club. Tuxedos also come at a price.

"I talked my folks into buying a tux senior year of high school because I was sure it would be a worthy investment," said Walter Hopkins '08 in an email. "And it has been. I think it cost somewhere between $300-$400. I've worn it more than eight times since I bought it (the approximate upper-bound of the break even price) and will continue to wear it at least until I graduate."

When asked if Houseparties puts pressure on male students who might not easily have the means to buy or rent tuxedos, Savage said, "It probably does a little bit, but there are places that rent tuxedos for very cheap around here – I know someone who's renting one for under $40."

The University has its own student-run tuxedo rental organization, the Princeton Formal Services Agency. Monday through Wednesday, from five until eight in the evening in Frist the week before Houseparties, the agency rents out standard, premium, and deluxe tuxedos for $85, $95, and $110 respectively, plus shoes for $10.

Manager Bob Nichols '07 said the agency rents out roughly sixty tuxedos for Houseparties each year. As of Wednesday, the agency had rented twenty-five standard and ten premium tuxedos.

Aside from spending money on an outfit, students also often shell out money for gifts. Jardiniere Florals owner Eric Robertson, who noted that there has been a significant increase in the number of orders this week due to Houseparties, said that typical bouquets for such events cost between $20 and $50. Female students often purchase flask bottles of alcohol or cigars for their dates.

Lana Breygina, the owner of Onyx Nail Spa and Boutique in Princeton, said in a phone interview that they are fully booked for Thursday and Friday. She has even called in an additional technician for Friday, and attributes the extra business to Houseparties."

We're always busy when you have something on campus," Breygina said. "Whatever it is, we're always fully booked." Onyx manicures go for $18, and pedicures for $45, not including the student discount of 10 percent.

Considering all the expenses of the weekend, some clubs have developed alternatives for those who want to save. Cloister Inn, for example, runs four "Chop Shop" workshops on Saturday afternoon in which members can help the staff prepare for Sunday brunch and earn $20 against the cost of their guest.

Savannah Sachs '08 said Cloister's Chop Shop "is a fun, easy way to help out the staff and cut down on cost, since you are credited for a guest fee by working in the kitchen on Saturday."

All told, most students agree that while costs can run high, not everyone has to get manicures and pedicures or rush out to the stores for new outfits. Most important is that people enjoy themselves.

"Houseparties has always been a great way to end the year," said Elizabeth Hammer '08, "Seniors celebrate the end of their theses, Juniors the end of their JPs, and the rest of us, well, we're enjoying the fact that summer is finally here." After such a stressful semester, the fun is well-deserved — no matter the price.