College Graduation Etiquitte

I wouldn't invite any relatives to the ceremony. Have his party at home where everyone can attend. If it is really important to someone to be at the ceremony, they will ask.

At my graduation, only my parents and grandmother came. It's a good thing, because those ceremonies are soooo boring.

I haven't dealt with this but I think it would be nice to have the siblings and grandparents there and paying for the grandparent's hotel room, if monetarily feasible, would be a nice gesture. Anyone over and above the grandparents, I can't imagine that anyone would expect you to pay for their room, unless you are able to afford such a generous gesture.

Since it seems that there are so many family members who would like to share in this momentous occasion, perhaps it would be more practical and cost-effective to bring all these people together and have a party for your son, back in your hometown, weeks later or even sometime in the Spring, when the weather may be slightly more predictable. The college graduation may just be a whirlwind weekend and you may be disappointed at how little you see him. Or you can host one over the Holiday season, since he's graduating in December, but... whew... that just may be a lot of work! Hosting the party in your home or vicinity and letting him invite his college friends for a weekend may give him (and you) a chance to enjoy his guests in a more intimate, relaxed setting - especially if you hire a few extra hands to help with the meal preparation, serving, etc...

Congratulations! This is a very exciting time for you. Good luck with whatever you do.

Wow--what college is that where each graduate has that many tickets? Be sure to check on this before you invite. Goodness, I think 6 hours is a long way to travel if it's not your child. I mean, that's asking a lot of those folks to make the trip. I'd opt for a party in your home/home town scheduled a week or so after the actual event.

J.

I went to both undergrad and grad school 10-12 hours from home. What happened for both was family was told when I would be graduating and if the wanted to come they could, if not we would be having a party at home later on. Both sets of grandparents, my parents (who are divorced), brothers and my Aunts on my dad's side all came. Everyone paid for their own rooms and we all went out to dinner together. For my grad school graduation it was just my brothers, parents, and 1 grandma who came. Same thing, everyone paid their own way.

It was great to tell everyone I was graduating and I had no expectations that anyone outside my parents and brothers would come. Those who couldn't afford to come didn't (which was a majority of my mom's family) and we had a party later on. This seemed to work out really well for everyone.

I hope this helps.

Hi L.. Just a tip -- before inviting everyone, check with the college to ensure you can get enough tickets to the ceremony. Some colleges have to limit the number of tickets each graduate receives during winter (which requires an indoor venue). Congrats!

I had an out of town graduation. My parents and sisters came and then we had a party back home. They didn't invite anyone until the party. I sent announcements with the party invitation.

If I was invited to an out of town graduation and decided to go, I would plan to pay my own expenses. It would be nice if there was 1 meal that I didn't have to pay for, but I would plan to pay for everything else.

M.

usually the parents, the "significant other" (boyfriend/girlfriend,wife/husband) and possibly anyone else who the graduate feels was important in them making the choice to attend/graduate from college or the specific school are traditional. When my daughter graduates in a few weeks there will be just her father and I....she has choosen not to include her brothers or the extended family. Your son is now an adult. He will need to make the choice himself and assume he will do what is right.

Invite all the people you would like to be there. It is their responsibility to finding lodging and meals, other than your celebration time. You are inviting them to an event, not a vacation. However, do make as many accommidations as possible.... xo

I'd use the same etiquite commonly used at weddings. You reserve a block of rooms and give the guests a discounted price and you state that in the invitation so that your family knows what to expect and can consider that when they rsvp. But I would think that for close family members you could just explain your situation. Nobody in this economy expects you to fork over payment for lots of people rooming together.

I'm with Janice S. - from what I know, each student only is allowed a limited number of tickets, so check with the college before inviting anyone. Once you find out, you can ask a few if they'd like to go, but just as with weddings and other gatherings, they are responsible for their own lodging and meals during their trip. Having a party in your hometown after the graduation sounds like the best bet! Have fun!

All family and best friends should be invited. Let out of towners know that you can amke reservations at a convient hotel for them at X amount of $ per night that they would be responsible for. Hotels book fast so get this taken care of soon. College doesn't happen for everybody and the student deserves it.

My advice would be to have a graduation party in your home town and in the invitation make it known that anyone is welcome to attend the graduation ceremony ...and the details. This gives everyone the opportunity to go to the graduation and not feel obligated since they can come to celebration party.