How to Start Preparing for Your Graduation Party

Graduation parties allow you as a graduate to be celebrated alongside your peers and to have fun with them before you all split off on your educational/career journeys. While these graduation parties sound like a quick and easy thing to organize, it is important to start planning now so as not to feel rushed with venue planning, guest lists, food menus, and much more at the last minute.

Party Planning for Your Graduation Party

Finding the Perfect Venue

Choosing where your party will be located is the starting point in planning your graduation party. Many factors determine this decision including guest list size, space required, cost, and items allowed at venue (food, games, etc.). When determining your guest list, it is important to consider who you are definitely planning on inviting and who you are definitely not planning on inviting. Unnecessarily, inviting everyone you know could lead to a larger cost for food and space as well as a higher liability for you and your guests if they choose not to act irresponsibly. Additionally, an event like this should be enjoyed with those you've become close with throughout your time as student, not just every student you've met along the way. Depending on the size of your guest list, the amount of space you need may increase or decrease. For example, a party consisting of 10 – 15 people could likely be held in a backyard or at a house, while a part of 30+ would likely need to be held in a larger area like a park/etc. When considering your guest list, the price of your planned venue comes into question. Graduation parties do not need to be expensive and can often be a simple gathering at your house. A limited guest list will likely result in a smaller space cost and an open guest list may result in a greater space cost. This is true of course, unless public spaces like parks are used as your venue. Many public places do still enact limitations on party sizes, so make sure to clarify this before planning any further. You should consider what is most important to you when creating a budget for things like the location. A smaller use of money on venue costs at end-of-the-year events like this can be used towards college and post-college career plans. In addition, certain venues have policies on what can be brought in by the parties' planner and the guests. If you are planning on bringing in food, it is important to check with the company/area in which you are planning to bring it to so that you are not fined or prevented entry the day of your party. The date and time on which you decide to hold the event as well as where you are getting food/decor is also something that you need to consider. Many businesses do not run the entire week or the whole day. For example, if you plan to hold your graduation party from 4pm-7pm, rent/set up somewhere available from 4pm-7pm. On top of that, make sure to reserve your event at that location in advance so that you successfully secure the space in which you plan to hold your party. Some venues also have regulations on what personal items can be brought in. This can be things like games, music, etc. Make sure to confirm these questions with the venue coordinator prior to finalizing your venue selection.

Creating a Theme

Not all parties require a theme, but decorations can make a party more fun and expressive of the graduates' personality. When planning for your party this is something important to consider. Decorations can be cheap or expensive and still bring a party together. What alters them is how they are organized. For example, cheap balloons from the dollar store can be arranged into balloon arches that if bought premade would run for way higher prices. Purchasing cheaper decorations can allow for a larger space in your budget for things like food and your venue.

Planning Your Menu

Food is an extremely important thing to consider when planning for your graduation party. You have your own personalized tastes which should be met by your menu. Go through what food you love to eat regularly and consider the prices of them individually. Keep in mind the space that you planned in your budget for food and work your choices into your allotted amount of money for that section. It is also important to consider food options for those on your guest list who may have food allergies. Some food allergies can be severe and even fatal which could lead to ER trips mid party. So, when planning your party menu, make sure to consider alternative meals to those that may be harmful to both you and your party guests.

Deciding on Party Games

Graduation parties are not parties without a few fun games to play with your friends. The question is, however, what games should be set up at the party. The games which you decide to play at your party depend on the location of the venue. Depending on where you live/where you are planning to hold your party, you may or may not be able to have outdoor events. Additionally, bad weather, like rain and snow, may subject your party to changes in location. Keep an eye on the weather before the party and secure a backup location for weather if it will be affected. If you do plan on having an outdoor party, games like cornhole and ring toss would be a fun way to keep guests entertained. On the other hand, if the party is being held indoors, games like Jenga and cards are more suitable and less likely to cause a mess. Also, games that require you and your guests to think, such as Pictionary and treasure hunts/breakout games, work well indoors and outdoors and can be a hit at parties for both your friends and family. Prepping ahead of time for your graduation party may seem excessive, but this is a day to celebrate your achievements with your friends and family. An event so important should not be completed at the last minute, as your accomplishments should be provided with the recognition that they deserve.