Graduation Party Ideas

You're Formally Invited!

Once you have decided to throw a graduation party, the first step is to set a party budget. Parties can be planned on a variety of budgets. You might choose to purchase all party supplies, hire party entertainment, and have your party catered, or you may decide to make invitations yourself and provide homemade finger foods.

Once you've determined what you can spend, it is time to set the graduation party date and time. Many families and school organizations will choose to throw the graduation party immediately following the graduation ceremony so that families and friends who had to travel long distances to get to the ceremony won't have to make the long drive back for a graduation party on a later date. Consider sending out graduation reception cards with your graduation ceremony invitations. Be sure to include directions to the party location. Also be sure that you stay within your budget. If you have a tight budget, you may have to cut down on the guest list. Also, make certain your venue is large enough for the number of guests you invited.

Now Presenting the Class of...

For the ceremony itself, an a capella singing group or choir might fit the bill for entertainment. For the keynote speach, hire a leadership speaker or motivational speaker to inspire the graduates and motivate them toward success. After walking down the aisle to Pomp and Circumstance in a cap and gown, it's time to throw that cap off and celebrate. Whether you're hosting the party at a formal venue or hosting a backyard barbeque at your home, everyone loves to listen to some music. If your graduation reception is at a more formal venue, consider hiring a pianist, classical ensemble, or guitarist to play softly in the background. If your graduation celebration is going to be more of a party in your backyard, guests would enjoy listening to a party band, cover band, top 40 band, tribute band, or an event DJ. College graduates might enjoy music from their childhood, so at the present time, a good choice might be an 80s Cover Band or 1990s Party Band.

Decorations, Food, and Fun

One of the most important parts of a graduation party is the food. Whether you're planning to have homemade snacks or a catered meal, your guests will appreciate having something to eat and drink after the ceremony. Consider making the graduate's favorite foods to share with your guests, or hire a caterer to prepare a meal or hors d'oeuvres. Want to keep things simple? Guests always enjoy cake and punch at a reception. Hire a cake decorator to make a spectacular one-of-a-kind cake for the graduate's big day.

You may also want to consider decorating the venue with party decor. Common graduation decorations include table decorations, streamers, and card boxes. Don't forget to have a designated gift table so guests know where to place their gifts. To create a personalized touch for your graduation party, add memorabilia from the graduate's childhood. Have a memory book out for guests to write fond memories of the graduate in. You could also create a collage of the graduate or a digital slide show presentation for your guests to enjoy. If you have items from when the graduate first entered school, have the graduate open a time capsule from their childhood.

Honor Roll

If all of this party planning sounds like a lot to handle, you can always hire an event planner to handle it for you. If you'd like the big celebration to be on video to remember forever, consider hiring a videographer. This especially would be a good idea if you are the parent of a graduate. Hiring an event planner and videographer will give you the time you need to enjoy the ceremony and entertain guests at the graduation party. GigSalad is here to help you every step of the way as your one stop shop for all of your graduation party planning needs!