After years of hard work, you’ve finally graduated — congrats! We’ll bet you’re excited to celebrate with a rockin’ party.
The question is, how can you plan a graduation party without breaking the bank? Not everyone has a huge budget to spend, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still throw a fun-filled celebration.
With more than 20 years of party-planning experience, Modern Moments’ event coordinator has some money-saving tips to share:
Outline what your budget is
Consider co-hosting with other grads
Create a free digital invitation
Make it a potluck
Keep decorations simple
Book your graduation party at Rocket SPACE, a hidden gem right here in the East Valley. Our beautiful indoor/outdoor venue can host small and large gatherings alike. We also provide tables, chairs, and a day-of coordinator to assist with your party. Schedule a free tour today, and our friendly staff will answer all your questions about pricing, local caterers, decoration rentals, and more.
Outline What Your Budget Is
First things first, it’s crucial to outline your budget. Even if you plan on getting certain things for free (such as potluck style food or BYOB), you can’t really plan your party without knowing how much money you actually have to spend.
Take stock of your wallet and set aside an amount you’re comfortable with. Afterward, account for money spent on a venue, food, drinks, and decorations. That way, you’ll have peace of mind that you’re not going to overspend. For budget party planning, this is priceless. You want to enjoy your graduation party, not regret how much you spent on it!
Pro tip: Narrow down your guestlist to determine what sized venue you need to book, and how much to spend on food and drinks “per head.” If you’re over budget, you can either cut the number of guests, or adjust your food and beverage vendors.
Consider Co-Hosting With Other Grads
Once you have a budget in mind, consider stretching it by co-hosting a party with other graduates.
Drinks, snacks, and decorations are often cheaper when you buy in bulk. So if you’re planning to host one party with a group of friends, you can split the costs and get more bang for your buck.
By pooling your resources, you might be able to book a venue or hire a catering company that you otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford on your own. Even better, you can split the responsibility of planning the party, with each person taking only 1-2 party setup tasks.
Schedule a free tour of Rocket SPACE’s indoor/outdoor venue today and see why it’s the perfect place for your unforgettable graduation party. We’ve got a relaxed dining space, refreshment bar, catering recommendations, and of course, the help of a professional party planner. All at affordable rates!
Create a Free Digital Invite
Printed invitations are beautiful, but not necessary. If you’re on a budget, skip the expense of having a paper invite and send out a digital one instead.
Consider using Eventbrite or Facebook to invite friends and family to your graduation party. Make sure to include the date, time, location, and any relevant information like whether it’s BYOB or a potluck-style party.
Another benefit of digital invites (aside from being free!) is that they often have automated reminders. If someone forgot to RSVP, they’ll get notified as the party date approaches. Bonus: you’ll have one less to-do item on your checklist!
Make It a Potluck
Aside from the venue, food is one of the biggest party-planning expenses. After all, it’s what makes any party fun to attend!
To keep costs down while still enjoying delicious food, snacks, and beverages, consider making your graduation party a potluck. Guests can provide a variety of tasty treats for everyone to enjoy, without the burden of it all on you as the host/ess.
Since guests may not know what type of food or drink to bring (appetizer, main course, dessert, etc.), it’s a good idea to communicate with them beforehand. Keep tabs on who is bringing what, and if you’re short on one particular item (say, gluten-free options) suggest that someone else brings it. Food planning is another reason why a digital Event page or discussion can be convenient.
Note: Don’t forget about napkins, utensils, and paper plates!
Keep Decorations Simple
Decorations make for a beautiful and fun ambiance, but consider keeping them simple if you’re looking to keep costs down. You’ll not only spend less money, but you’ll also save time on setup and takedown!
To get inspired, you might search Pinterest or Instagram for simple graduation party decor ideas. Or, stick to inexpensive balloons and string lights, which are always a timeless party decoration.
To avoid distracting or mismatched decor, limit your color scheme to 1-2 complimentary colors. You might go with a black and white theme (always a classic) or stick to calming shades of white with natural accents.
Whatever you choose, make sure it sparks joy. It’s YOUR day of celebration, and you deserve to enjoy it!
Want to Throw An Unforgettable Graduation Party?
Contact Modern Moments
Modern Moments is a hidden gem right here in the East Valley. Our beautiful outdoor venue can accommodate up to 300 people and comes with tables, chairs, and the services of our expert event coordinator. From food and activities to entertainment and decor, we’ll help you organize the graduation party of your dreams! Book a free tour today.