Looking for Graduation Party Ideas

Instead of having a reception type party after the graduation, how about having a "share the celebration" party a week or so later? Then it's more of you wanting everyone to be part of your joy and not that you are asking them to the after party when they were not invited to the event.

My sister did this when she graduated from college, she rented the Baltimore Museum of Industry ( she interned there) and we all had a real blast!

HI C.. I was an event planner before I had my dd, so I can maybe give you some tips. For something like a graduation party, it's completely fine to invite people who couldn't be invited to the ceremony. It's pretty well-known that graduations have extremely limited seating and what you might do is send everyone the official announcement, and put a card in each one, saying either: please join us AT the graduation, or please join us AFTER the graduation for a small reception at our house, and when they RSVP, you can say something like, "Oh i'm so glad you'll be coming to the party, we can only take a very small amount of people to the actual ceremony, but I know my husband will be thrilled to celebrate with you afterwards".
At a graduation party, yes you typcially have food- since it's a nice time of year most people do a bbq or cookout. You can have close family members help by bringing a dish or two (but only ask those you're very close to). I've done a few where they served kabobs on the grill- a little different than just burgers, and a tad nicer. Just make sure you make it easy for yourself! There is aslo typically a cake of some kind, and yes there are usually toasts. In this case, it would be appropriate for you, as the hostess, to make a small toast congratulating your husband and thanking everyone for being there.
You can leave it a surprise to include him on the planning- that's up to you and you know your husband best as to what he'd like!
People don't usually bring presents, but a card is appropriate from guests, you might want to have a place to collect them. You can make the event as casual or as fancy as you like, just make sure it's communicated to the guests before they arrive.
ANd for locations- where do you live? Clarksville MD has a nice ballroom that is about $350 rental called Ten Oaks Ballroom. You could use a Knights of Columbus lodge or a fire hall, depending upon where you live- those are pretty inexpensive. Some smaller hotels have less expensive ballrooms but you have to use their food. Your church would be a good bet, or even an outdoor pavillion in a park. Maybe Centennial Park in Columbia - they have multiple pavillions available for rent.
Good luck, and let me know if you need other ideas!

My first piece of advice for you is to get someone reliable to help you! Don't try to do/plan everything yourself! It's okay to have 2 separate parties if that's what you really want, but let me warn you that planning a big party takes a lot time and work. To make things easier on yourself, I would suggest that you have only one party in a place that is easily accessible from where the majority of your guests live. Your family knows how big a deal this is and should be ready and willing to travel to celebrate his graduation. Or, if family members are coming up for the actual ceremony, have a small gathering at a local restaraunt right after the ceremony and save the big party for another date.

Yes, it is perfectly okay to invite people who weren't invited to the actual ceremony. Everyone knows that there are only a limited amount of people one can invite to attend the graduation. Since it is an affair for your husband, you might want to ask him about particular friends that he would want to invite (in addition to the list you come up with). Take into consideration your husband's personnality, as far as how formal/informal, what food to serve, what style the party is, etc... But don't have your husband do any major things, as this is a gift from you to him.

Definitely have food and music. The cheapest option is for you and family/friends cook the food yourselves and have a buffet style set-up where the guests get in line and are served food on their plate. If you wanted something more formal, you could have it catered, but this is a more pricey option.

You could allow a space during the party for speeches. I would limit it to those close family/friends who have given the most support (ask them in advance if they would like to say something). And allow your husband a chance to thank his guests for coming and any special people who helped him get through school. You could have pictures of him from childhood through the present blown up and displayed around the room or on some type of display board.
As far as places to have it, your church hall is a great and probably inexpensive place to have it. Just make sure you're aware of any restrictions they may have (i.e. what types of music are allowed, alcholic beverages?, etc...) If you know of anyone living in an apartment building, you could ask them if they have a social hall. I know that tenants can often rent it at a discounted rate. Hope this info helps!

Hi C.!
Congrats on the new grad. My husband graduated after 5 yrs. of school last May. I guess it depends on what your husband is most comfortable with. We did the cook out thing. I asked everyone to bring a dish instead of a gift. Problem there is the weather, but a lot of parks have pavillions with water & electric. If you want to do the inside thing, check with local Volunteer Fire Co., etc, they're usually reasonable. As far as two separate parties, I would just ask you if your a glutton for punishment. There's enough stress planning one party, let alone two. Simple is always so much better. It gives you more time to spend with family & guests as opposed to worrying (did I spell that right?) about the food. As far as music goes, same thing, you can do the DJ thing or get a friend with a good CD player (especially if you're going to cook out) & crank it up. Remember, it's all about having fun. If you're stressed the hubby will be & it won't be as much fun.
Good luck

I'll keep it brief: be organized, make lists. Tap your friends for ideas/help. I have a friend who loves to entertain and I always ask her for food, decorating, logistical advice. Get as many family members involved as you can and make them feel a part of the celebration by giving them an assignment. Give yourself plenty of time so PLAN AHEAD. Keep things simple--don't overthink everything--easy food, easy drinks, easy decorations. Don't try to make all the food yourself--buy premade food when you can or have it catered. Know your limits. Since this is your first party don't take on too much and remember the point: celebrating w/your husband and having fun with family and friends. Everything else is really icing on the cake!

C.-
I graduated from Grad school two years ago and we just had a huge BBQ at our house. We only had 4 tickets to graduation and because it was late we had the party another day. We said skip the gifts and bring you're favorite appetizer, we provided the meats and veggie burgers, lots of beer, wine and cocktails and had a fantastic time. We played music in the background and people congregated all throughout the house and outdoors. We don't have a huge yard but it was big enough to set up a badmiton net, a horse shoe throw and some kids areas and it was great. It was cost effective and very laid back. It was fun just to celebrate freedom. My husband gave a nice speech, thanking everyone for the support from all our friends and family and I also thanked him and my daughter.

Plan something fun and it will be great. Don't sweat it, it doesn't have to be perfect :)