Let’s just be clear from the start. We are going to be talking about the college graduation party that you are going to invite your Nana to. It’s not the giant keggar that starts just about the minute the last final is handed in and goes until all your junk is packed and you’re headed out of your college town.
Pick a Location
Just because you are on a college budget, you don’t have your graduation party in a dumpy location. To save money, schedule it during an off-time. You might have it early in the day, before the graduation ceremony. Or, book your venue on a weeknight. Traditionally, these times are less busy, and should have a smaller fee.
Only rent the size of space you need. Know exactly how many people are coming, and pick a spot that meets those requirements. If your chosen venue has a size limit, then make sure you pare down the invitation list accordingly. You may have to limit the number of people who can bring dates, or invite fewer people, but adjust so that you can fit the space.
Choose the Food and Drinks
Check out the food that your venue offers. Do they give you a discount if you pair a room rental with a food order? If your guest list is small enough and your talents varied enough, you could create your own assortment of appetizers. But, if you live in the dorms, and don’t have access to an actual kitchen with one of those big, tall fridges and the kind of oven that doesn’t sit on a counter, you may end up having to hire out.
Again, having the party in the morning will save you money. If you schedule the party during mid-morning, you won’t have to provide a ton of food. It’s too late for breakfast at 10:00 am and its too early for lunch. And, it’s too early to have to worry about providing a full bar. That’s a great way to bolster your budget.
Invitations and RSVP’s
Invitations to the graduation party don’t have to be formal. But, they do have to be more formal than a Facebook invite. Send something in the mail that comes to that box outside. Photo invitations are a great way to ask people to come; they are personalized with your photo and show your personality. They can also be as easy or complicated as you want to make them.
Even if your invitation is informal, you need to include the date, the time, the location and RSVP information. Without the RSVP information, you will not get an accurate count, and then you won’t know how much food or drink you will need. You can even write something witty about not wanting to eat spinach dip for breakfast, lunch and dinner for a year so please RSVP with regrets, if you must. That way, your budget won’t be wasted.
