Graduation season is upon us, and this May we can expect over 5.8 million graduates to grace the stage in the U.S.. With both high school and college celebrations to plan for, here are our top 8 tips to prepare for graduation.
Know the when, where, and how.
College graduation dates and locations are solidified as much as a year in advance, but graduates may only receive the information at the beginning or middle of the graduation semester. Keep tabs on university websites and emails to mark down when and where the ceremony will take place.
Start coordinating how you will get there if you or your group is coming in from out of town. This means pinpointing parking areas, reserving hotels, and making restaurant reservations as soon as possible.
Keep track of three important dates
You already have your ceremony date, but you’ll also need to mark when your graduate will have to apply for graduation. This is done in many schools – both for high school and university – and often requires the graduate to submit a form so the registrar’s office can confirm they’ve met graduation requirements.
The third date to keep track of is when graduation attire order forms are due. Most schools require students to pay for their cap and gown in advance. If you don’t order yours in time, you may have to sit out the ceremony.
Plan attire ahead of time.
Once your student has their attire, make sure it fits and take it to the tailor early if needed. More importantly, have both the student and guests decide on their outfits for the day, as you’ll surely take many photos to remember the occasion. Don’t leave your shopping to the last minute or you’ll end up regretting that photo twenty years down the line – trust us.
Scope out a time and place for photos
Speaking of photos, decide when and where you’ll take photos of the graduate in their attire. You may want to take some solo shots days before the actual ceremony when the campus or town isn’t yet swarmed with tourists.
As for the day of, you’ll have to sift through quite a few people, so heading off-campus may be a more enjoyable option.
Send invitations for post-graduation gatherings early.
If you’re planning a shindig after the ceremony, you’ll want to choose the date and time the moment you know when the ceremony is. Send out those save-the-dates or invites ASAP to make sure your guests can attend.
Remember – May is ceremony season, wedding season, and Memorial Day Weekend. Don’t get left behind on the calendar.
Have a backup plan.
Pack umbrellas, ponchos, and protective wear for wild weather, and make sure you have a Plan B if your graduation party is set to be outside.
Hire a luxury car and chauffeur for the special occasion
Your student will only graduate with this degree once; Make the memory last a lifetime by surprising your graduate with a luxury ride on their special day. Choose from our limos, party buses, and a variety of other luxury cars for an unforgettable day.
Enjoy the moment.
While it’s easy to get caught up in the planning and craziness of graduation day, be sure to step back and take it all in. This moment will only happen once, so be sure to relish it and your loved ones all you can.
