Authored by: Sariya Benslimane and Safa Razvi

The Venue
Selecting your graduation venue is simpler than it may seem. After polling 11 senior students here at
Brookfield Central, 64% chose to host their celebrationat their own house, while 36% of students surveyed
chose to host their graduation party at a park or outside venue. The setting of your graduation party can set the
tone for guests, a bright outdoor scene will help lighten the mood. It was found that the most popular criteria for
a venue were that it was mostly outdoors with a small covered or indoor space to house food, decorations, seating, and other decorative tables. Our recommendations for venues in the Brookfield area include the Mitchell Park Pavilion, Frame Park, Wirth Park, and Marx Park. It is important to note that some of these parks require advance
registration or payments to use the facilities. Mitchell Park proved to be the most popular venue outside of homes. This may be rooted in the central location, large park arena, and 2-sided pavilion. However, it is quite the feat to reserve this venue, so my recommendation is to get on January 1st of the year you wish to host your party to book a side of the pavilion on a preferred date. There are many pros and cons to hosting your party at a remote location. The most difficult aspect is transporting all of the food, decorations, and other supplies needed. It is also important to have a list of things to bring as you can not just run inside to grab an extra utensil. Many
prefer hosting their parties at their residence as it is much less stressful and easier to keep track
of all of the moving parts. No matter where your party is hosted if you keep a detailed list of
everything you need, it will run smoothly.

Party Favors and Guestbooks
Although party favors are not required for a graduation party it is always a nice gesture for your guests. Many prefer to have a candy bar in which guests can grab a bag or container and fill it with candies of their choice. Some go the extra step and choose to have the candies their school colors or include small confections or homemade sweet treats. While this is a great idea as guests can make their bags personalized to ensure they eat the candy, many do not end up making a bag and there is nothing extremely special about this idea. Others chose to have cookies with their school logo wrapped in a little clear bag as another choice to have as a dessert for guests to eat in the moment or take home with them. The last cute idea is to have a paper graduation cap filled with candies for guests to take, this is the perfect balance of an easy project with putting in enough thought to the gift. Guestbooks can be a perfect piece of memorabilia from your graduation party and are a great spot for guests to write a message or piece of advice for the graduating senior. My favorite idea is to have a Polaroid camera and a scrapbook so as guests come in they can snap a photo with the graduate, tape it in the book, and write a nice message next to the picture.
Seniors Maali Haqqi and Clare Marchant (24) stated that they also loved the Polaroid picture book and are planning on doing it at their graduation parties. Another cute idea is for guests to write words of wisdom for encouragement on a Jenga block so the graduate has a complete set at the end of their party. Last is for guests to sign their name on a poster that may include a senior picture of the graduate; however, this idea is the least creative and offers the least personalization.

Invitations
Let’s talk invitations! Sending them out 4-6 weeks before the party is ideal. This gives your guests plenty of time to RSVP and keeps your event high on their priority list. Choosing a theme can add a fun and cohesive touch to your party as well. Ideas include your favorite colors or the school you’re going to. Your invitations should reflect this theme and your personality to make it extra special. Platforms like Evite, Canva, and Minted offer awesome customizable templates. Make sure your invitations include all the essential details: the date, time, location,
RSVP instructions, and any special instructions like a dress code. And don’t forget to consider both digital and physical invitations. Digital ones are quick and eco-friendly, while physical invitations add a formal and personal touch. Managing RSVPs can get tricky, but tools like Google Forms or Evite can help keep everything organized. This way, you’ll have a clear idea of how many people to expect, which is crucial for planning food and seating.

Food
Now, onto the food – arguably the highlight of any party! A versatile menu that caters to different tastes and dietary restrictions is a must. Think about including options for vegetarians, vegans, and those with food allergies. Finger foods and appetizers are perfect for a graduation party where guests will likely be mingling. Mini sliders, veggie trays, charcuterie boards (a fancy name for cheese and meat!), and pasta are always crowd-pleasers. For the main course, you can’t go wrong with popular choices like sandwiches, BBQ, or a taco bar. The Milwaukee area also has food trucks that can be available for rent, but they may be on the pricey side for some. And don’t forget the desserts! Graduation-themed treats like cupcakes with graduation cap toppers, diploma-shaped cookies, or a cake decorated in school colors can add a festive and personalized touch. A drink station is a great idea to keep everyone hydrated and happy, especially in the summer heat. Offer a variety of beverages, including sparkling water,
lemonade, and soda. Even consider a signature mocktail that matches your party theme for adults and friends to enjoy. A self-serve drink station with labeled dispensers makes it easy for guests to help themselves. When it comes to deciding between hiring a caterer or doing it yourself, consider your budget and the level of stress you’re willing to handle. Catering can take a lot off your plate and ensure everything runs smoothly. On the other hand, preparing the food yourself can be more personal and cost-effective. If you do go the DIY route, plan your cooking timeline
carefully to make sure everything is fresh and ready to go at the right time!