1. First of all, make a list of all of the expenses related to your pageant competition. Do not write down any numbers yet, but simply list all of the categories your budget will need to cover. Do not worry about which categories are more important to you, because you will want to keep an open mind throughout all aspects of your budgeting. For example, there is no rule or reason to believe that a thousand dollar evening gown is the only way to win. Focus only upon keeping track of what your pageant budget will need to include.
2. Now, find out what your entry fee provides in addition to competing in the pageant. Some entry fees cover meals and hotel stay, while others do not. If your pageant entry fee does not cover meals, consider searching for a grocery store or food market close by to the host hotel. There is no need to eat Eggs Benedict and Filet Mignon during the pageant if you truly cannot afford it. Find out if your hotel room offers a microwave and/or small refrigerator to determine what kind of groceries you can purchase. For example, your breakfast can consist of cereal and milk, your lunch could be a homemade salad or wrap, you can snack on Luna bars and fresh fruit, you can drink Crystal Lite, and you can have a Lean Pocket or other microwave meal for dinner. Yes, the restaurant and room service at the hotel may offer food of a higher quality, but it does come with a price you have to pay for.
3. When it comes to your headshot, find the right kind of photography professional for you. You usually would find a professional photographer. But, do not think that you need to rely upon the typical services of a photography professional. This is a two-way street. First of all, you can consider seeking a photographer who will take your picture, either free of charge or with a significant discount, for advertising purposes or with the understanding that you will recommend the photographer to your friends and family. Secondly, you can have someone you know take a picture of you under the following circumstances. You will want to have pageant-appropriate makeup. If you cannot apply makeup yourself, then go to a makeup counter and ask for either a 'smoky eye' or 'bold lip,' choosing the one that emphasizes your best feature of either eyes or lips. Have the makeup artist also apply foundation, powder, and blush. This service is free, but express your gratitude by purchasing one of the items used to create your look, such as a mascara or lip gloss. Also, have your hair styled as you would in the pageant. You can have someone assist you if you need it. Finally, put on a solid top and your best chandelier earrings, and lean against a neutral background, such as a wall. Do not stress too much about the lighting and such. Have someone take multiple shots of you until you find one that you feel is the most beautiful reflection of you. You will not submit this picture as it is on the camera. Instead, find a professional who is familiar with photo-editing software such as Photoshop. You can contemplate going to Pageantry Retouching. You can also easily find a highly talented individual on Model Mayhem, identified as 'Photoshop Wizards.' Go through portfolios of several editors until you find someone that you feel will give you the best airbrushed look appropriate for your competition. Instead of spending hundreds of dollars for a photoshoot, you can spend around $50 or less for photo editing.
4. Upon creating your pageant wardrobe, combine the old with the new. You can go to a vintage shop and discover beautiful clothing and jewelry. You can also go to a consignment shop or place such as Goodwill. I once bought a beautiful silver Jessica McClintock gown, that I was crowned in, for $11 at Goodwill. There is no need to be narrow-minded, for no one will know how much you spent! The only factors to keep in mind are fit and style. If a piece does not fit you correctly, remember that you will need to get alterations, which cost money. This may be less than a similar piece at a modern store, but make sure to compare the costs side by side whenever possible. Also, watch out for pieces that cannot be taken in if they do not fit as is. Secondly, many of these pieces are out-dated in style. Try to look for styles that are still relevant, and combine it with more modern pieces to keep your look fresh and stylish.
5. To expand your wardrobe even further, look into some closets. Search the closets of similar-size friends and family to see if there are any shoes or pieces of clothing that you could borrow. You could also ask any female, even if she was a different size from you, to borrow a jewelry item. Most importantly, your own closet may carry the keys to success. Do you really need another interview suit, if the one from last year served you well? Is it impossible to wear shoes you already own? Especially when it comes to your wardrobe, you need to weigh need versus want when it comes to your pageant budget. You can wear the black pencil skirt you already own with a new top and this-season necklace.
6. When it comes to finding a gown, consult other pageant contestants for fulfilling your wardrobe needs. The best place to do so, to my knowledge, is Pageant Resale, a website where you can rent or buy pageant gowns from other contestants. You can search for specific details of gowns in order to potentially find the perfect gown for you. Remember that you will only be wearing the gown for the pageant, and that the other contestant most likely used her gown only once as well. Instead of spending full-price for a new gown, you could save money by purchasing a gently used gown in wonderful condition instead.
7. Realize that you may need to look for affordable apparel when shopping for your pageant wardrobe. Remember the price tag is removed and the label is typically on the inside of your clothing. No one may be able to tell the difference from whether or not you bought a gold chain necklace from Forever 21 or Nordstrom's, and more importantly, the judges really don't care how much you spend. They are concerned about whether or not you are the best contestant for the title, and whether you spent $300 or $20 on your black pencil skirt will not impact their decision. Therefore, have no shame in going to stores like H&M, Forever 21, and Target. You do not need to buy everything at these stores unless you want to, but even purchasing half of your wardrobe at more affordable stores saves you a significant amount of money. Just so you know, I have a pair of crystal chandelier earrings from Forever 21 that I bought two years ago for $3.80. They are still a staple in my pageant wardrobe today.
8. Last but not least, spend only where it counts. Choose two categories that are most important to you. My personal recommendation would be to include coaching as one of them. The second one can be whatever you want, such as having your dream evening gown or spending more money on shoes. These are the categories where you give yourself permission to spend more. However, you have to agree that you will put your best effort forth in pursuing more affordable means in all other categories of your pageantry budget. This may not be a possible feat, but you never know what opportunities will present themselves if you actively seek them.
I truly encourage you to do everything in your power to ensure a reduced budget for pursuing your pageant dreams. With my suggestions and your own creativity, you can reach your goal of competing in a pageant and save a good amount of money as well.
-Miss Pageant Prep
