Graduation is a major milestone, reached after years of work, marking the end of one chapter of life and the beginning of a new one. It’s meant to be celebrated! With that being said, graduation season can feel like it approaches quickly and as there are a lot of singular parties that all happen during a condensed season, early planning can mean the difference between marking the milestone the way you want or settling for something you don’t. At that heart of this planning is deciding where you will have your party. So, let’s dig into graduation party venues and get you a jumpstart on your graduation party planning.

Booking Early: Why It Matters

Graduation party venues book up much faster than people expect. The reason for this comes down to spring demand for event spaces and the limited date availability for any given graduation party venue. Not every space is going to work for the type of graduation celebration you plan on hosting, so start looking for spaces early and book before your options become too limited. Graduation party venues in Minneapolis tend to book very early. Some families will book a venue a year in advance. It is advisable to book your venue the preceding fall or early winter at the latest to secure the space you want.

What Kind of Graduation Party Are You Hosting

Your graduation party planning needs to start with deciding what kind of graduation party you actually want to host. Making this decision will help dictate what you are looking for in a graduation celebration venue. A family graduation party venue is going to offer something different than if you are looking for a venue that will accommodate an open-house or a larger, more formal event.

The differences between different styles of graduation parties usually have to do with the party’s structure, timing, formality, size expectations, and guest flow. All of these parameters dictate what type of event you are hosting and will affect what type of venue you choose. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular types of graduation parties.

Luncheon or Dinner with a Set Time

Hosting a sit-down or buffet style luncheon or dinner with a set timeframe is one way to celebrate your recent grad. This format tends to work well for a small, intimate gathering, usually with close family and friends. It tends to be more casual and is centered on a shared meal and conversation. Guests arrive and leave within a set time, so there is a clear beginning and ending to the event with the expectation that you will provide a full meal.

Open-house Style

This type of celebration is more casual and flexible where your guests arrive and leave whenever they want during a set timeframe, usually around three to five hours. It can accommodate a high volume of guests because not everyone is expected to be present at the same time. The expectation is for guests to “drop-in” at some point during the set time and stay for a short duration to mingle and congratulate the graduate. The host provides snacks and drinks, usually in a self-serve format, and perhaps some music, photo opportunities, or a casual activity. Open-houses usually do not require an RSVP.

Larger Mixed Crowd

This type of celebration is more formal than an open-house with a set beginning and ending to the event with the expectation that the guests will stay for the entire time. It can include more activities, like a photobooth, a formal presentation or slideshow, a toast, music, and a full meal, usually catered, either a sit-down, banquet event or buffet style with drinks. Guests are expected to RSVP.

Formal Event

This type of graduation celebration has a more formal structure and guests are expected to “dress-up” and have a more gala-type feel than other formats. It usually is scheduled in the evening with drinks, passed appetizers, and a sit-down dinner with speeches, a presentation, and a formal toast. Individual invitations are sent with an RSVP expected. This type of celebration can be limited to a smaller guest list, but with a focus on celebrating the graduate in a more intimate, yet elevated and luxurious style.

How to Compare Graduation Party Venues

When looking at an event space for a graduation party, you want to find the space that is going to work for your party in terms of:

• Capacity – Will the venue hold the number of people you plan on hosting?
• Privacy – How much privacy do you want and can the venue give you that?
• Layout – Does the layout of the space make sense for the type of party you are hosting?
• Flexibility – Can the space accommodate everything you want to do during the party?
• Indoor comfort – Does the space provide for your guests’ comfort?

Comparing Venues Made Easy

Food and Drink: Ask the Questions that Matter

Most graduation parties, no matter what format style you choose, will require serving food and drink to your guests. Second only to your venue, food and drink is an important part of the celebration and will set the type of party you are hosting.

Catering Style

Graduation party catering ideas can vary wildly, but settling on what type of catering style you want for your party is important, as it is a big part of your budget and sets the tone for your celebration.

For an open-house buffet style snacks that can last sitting out throughout your party, be replenished easily, and kept warm if necessary are all top considerations. You also want them to be easily accessible for self-service. You can still, however, choose a theme for these snacks that range anywhere between fancy finger foods, charcuterie boards, salads, chips and dips to self-serve street tacos, barbecue sliders, or a pasta bar. You can also include a dessert station and a drinks station.

For more formal sit-down or buffet style meals, there is a wide variety of ideas, including comfort foods like chicken, brisket, potatoes, roasted vegetables, or salmon. Sit-down meals usually are served in courses, including dessert. For an elevated buffet, you can include a carving station, skewers, gourmet sides, or salads and a dessert station. You may also be serving cake, which is a traditional graduation staple.

You can also choose different types of cuisine, like Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, West African, Mediterranean, or Middle Eastern. The choices are vast, but make sure you settle on something that celebrates the graduate and fits the style of party you are hosting.

Also consider your guests dietary needs or restrictions and have options available and clearly marked to make it easy and safe for those attending. And don’t forget the drinks, as there are both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options to consider.

Overall, the flow of the dinner and drink service should be easy and comfortable for your guests and express your hospitality and center on celebrating the graduate. Your graduation party venue needs to fit your food and drink choices and be able to support its service and flow.

Location and Parking: Why It Matters More than You Think

Guests who are coming to your graduation party will be thinking about:

• How to get there
• Where to park when they do
• How easy can they access the venue when they arrive

All of these questions play into the mood of your guests before they even arrive at the party. Ease their stress by choosing a venue that makes these things easy and also make it easy to communicate these logistics with your guests.

A downtown Minneapolis graduation party venue can offer convenience and easy access for your guests as it can be near hotels, which is especially important for out of town guests. It is also convenient to get to from other parts of the metro area. Guests also want to know where to park and that parking will be easily accessible. The Lumber Exchange offers easy parking options and is located near popular downtown hotels.

What Makes a Venue Feel Easy for Families

Celebrating this milestone can be stressful as it is one of life’s biggest, but choosing a venue that has setups and service that can accommodate your planning can make a big difference. Finding a place that knows how to support many different kinds of social events can be very useful.

Knowing that you have AV access for slideshow set ups and microphones is a big help as well as clear parameters on setup and teardown with access to what you need, like tables, chairs, etc. Wheelchair or limited mobility access is also important as graduations often have mixed generation attendees and elderly guests may need this type of accommodation.

A private party venue in Minneapolis, the Lumber Exchange offers AV set ups that can accommodate just about any type of presentation for a variety of memorable celebrations, from weddings and graduations to engaging reunions.

Questions to Ask your Potential Venue

Before signing a contract, make sure you cover everything by asking these practical set of questions:

• What is the rental price and what does it include? Are there other potential fees?
• What is the cancellation and refund policy?
• Is the venue ADA compliant and accessible?
• What is the setup and takedown process and timeframe?
• What is the parking situation?
• Are their noise restrictions or end times?
• Is there in-house catering and service, can you bring in your own vendors, and can you customize the menu??
• Is there on-site security?
• What type of restrictions apply to decorations?
• What type of AV equipment is available and is it an extra cost?
• Are other events happening at the same time?
• Who is the point of contact?
• What are the rules and restrictions for serving alcohol and do you need to use their bartenders?

Some Final Words on Graduation Party Venues

If you are looking for an indoor graduation party venue, finding a space that offers ease, comfort, and flexibility can go a long way in helping you throw a memorable celebration for such a big milestone. Early planning is key and securing your venue before choices become limited. Contact the Lumber Exchange and discover the options available to make your graduation or other celebration event exactly what you want.