Celebrate your graduate's achievement with a party.
Whether it's a beach party for 100 people or a family dinner for 20, the right venue for a graduation party can set a festive tone and make or break the party. Pick a spot that's small enough to create an atmosphere that's both energetic and intimate, but large enough so chairs don't bump into one another. Reserve your spot at least six months in advance and begin planning and gathering decorations to make the event one that the new graduate will remember for a lifetime. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Banquet Halls and Rooms
1. Call or email the local Chamber of Commerce in your city or a nearby city for a list of hotels, banquet halls and other party locations.
2. Read through phone book listings under "party sites," "party planners" or "event locations."
3. Ask local party rental companies, caterers or other party vendors if they know about good rental sites. Word-of-mouth is sometimes the best source for both popular places as well as hidden gems.
4. Visit online wedding sites or wedding shops to get a list of places they recommend to brides.
5. Call or visit local restaurants to see about renting separate rooms or the entire restaurant. Choose a restaurant that the graduate will find especially appealing, such as a sports bar, a pizza parlor or a favorite ethnic spot.
Outdoor Locations
6. Call or email city, county and state Parks and Recreation departments. Some sites will include only picnic areas, while others may also offer overnight accommodations in cabins or yurts.
7. List restaurants with separate outdoor patios or screened areas that you can rent just for your party. These areas offer privacy for your group and ready access to the entire restaurant menu.
8. Visit online tourism listings in your city to find outdoor spaces. Your local zoo, botanical garden or yacht club may have a variety of rental spaces available. Ask about activities available at the site, such as the zoo's merry-go-round or petting zoo.
Unique Locations
9. Ask travel agents about rental spaces in tourist locations and visit online tourist listings. Consider an aquarium, museum, roller or ice rink, theater or winery.
10. Ask a friend with the perfect room, country home or backyard if you can rent the space for a day. You may need to bring or rent all party supplies, such as tables, plates, utensils, lighting and possibly tents when choosing this option.
11. List your graduate's interests and find a location that fits. If the graduate is an athlete or is interested in fitness, contact a local health club to see if part or all of the facility is available for rent. Bowling alleys, paintball venues, or swimming pools provide active graduation party sites for teens and pre-teen graduates, while historic churches, off-season ski chalets or charter boats offer sophisticated venues for college graduates.
Tags: Call email, entire restaurant, graduate will, other party, party sites