About Graduation Ceremonies
From recognizing the accomplishments made throughout the entire journey to looking forward to new ventures, graduation ceremonies are one of the few events that are remembered for almost your entire life. Although these ceremonies are relatively straightforward and follow a routine, each graduation ceremony can be made unique by the venue chosen and the décor that follows.
Although graduation ceremonies are meticulous events that take days and weeks to plan and design, it can all be worth it when the big day rolls around the corner. Not only do graduation ceremonies present companies with opportunities to advertise their brand, but they also present graduates with an opportunity to let go of the past and realize the big change that’s about to come into their lives.
Choosing a graduation space can be tricky but by developing an overall theme, you can pick out a possible venue. Opting for conventional locations can be a safe bet, but exotic and unique options can also be considered if you want to leave a memorable impression.
The Best Graduation Ceremony Venues
Before planning out seating arrangements and looking for design inspirations, finding a venue that would be suitable for a graduation ceremony is vital. With so many options to choose from, the only limiting factor may be what you can come up with.
- Theatres
A venue that sees many different uses, theatres can serve as exemplary graduation ceremony locations. These venues have many different accessways which allow for different ways in which the graduates enter and exit the stage. Moreover, there are many features on-site which may be beneficial, including spotlights and makeup rooms which allow for some last-minute changes.
- Classroom
What better way to send off your new graduates than hosting their ceremony where they started from? A conventional venue for a graduation ceremony, classrooms are well-lit spaces that can be modified to fit your needs. Each classroom has a different size, so taking into consideration the room space allows you to focus on the seating layout for the upcoming graduation.
- Churches and Temples
These venues are often chosen thanks to the features that are already on-site. With halls that are created to amplify sound, churches allow you to spend less on high-end sound systems. Not only that, but these venues also already have some décors set in place which minimizes the work that you must do. Find a vintage church that can serve as your upcoming graduation ceremony venue.
- Event Spaces
Event spaces can range anywhere from a large studio to an art gallery, so finding one that has the potential to serve as an upcoming graduation ceremony venue is generally not an issue. Many of these venues are in ideal locations, close to other amenities, which ensures that you won’t ever be caught unprepared for the big day. Consider one such event space in Old Town Pasadena that’s considered to be an architectural gem for your upcoming graduation ceremony.
- Auditoriums and Great Halls
Perfect for large audiences and larger events, auditoriums and great halls can be modified to fit everyone that will be attending your graduation ceremony. These places generally have a theme and some décor so working on the décor already found can make the design of the venue a lot easier.
What to Look for in Graduation Ceremony Spaces
Before finalizing your decision to host your upcoming graduation ceremony at a specific venue, there are aspects that may need to be taken into consideration. Ensuring that your venue has everything you need can make the planning and execution of the event much easier.
- Safety
Having a venue that is considered safe can calm everyone who’s attending, from guests to the graduates themselves. Ensuring that there are sufficient exits and fire extinguishers, are just some of the safety features that need to be considered when planning out a potential graduation ceremony venue.
- Accessibility
Explore a range of different seating plans by obtaining a venue that has multiple accessways. With many ways to enter and exit the main stage, event planners can come up with a creative solution that can make the entire event unique and memorable for everyone attending.
- Size
With graduation ceremonies, you don’t only think about the graduates, but also those that have come to see them take the next step in their lives. As a result, finding a location that has a capacity large enough to accommodate everyone is vital as it can make the venue feel less cramped and more comfortable for everyone attending.
- Location
Ensuring that everyone can attend the graduation through whatever means, be it public transportation or personal vehicles, is important as it can mean that all the graduates can attend. The key is finding a graduation ceremony place that is both close to everything yet feels isolated from the rest of the world.
- Features
Having extra features is always a bonus but some are considered a “must-have” for a successful graduation. Features like makeup and dressing rooms can allow graduates to make last-second adjustments before heading onto the big stage.
Graduation Ceremony Inspirations
With so many things to think of when planning out a graduation ceremony site, having a few examples in mind may be just what you need to spark the creative process of looking for a venue that aligns with your vision.
- Calm Graduation Ceremony at an Outdoor Venue
Outdoor venues can make for a great graduation ceremony, all you need is the right venue and weather conditions. With many options to consider, outdoor venues are considered more of a veteran’s event venue, but it can be perfectly doable with some hard work and elbow grease.
- Virtual Graduation Ceremony at a Classroom
For those who prefer a virtual graduation, classrooms are quaint locations that allow a small number of graduates to be there whilst everyone in the audience views the event from an online platform. These venues often have suitable lighting which reduces the work you must do to set up the event.
- Massive Graduation Ceremony at a Great Hall
Suitable for events like school graduations or for larger graduations, great halls can capacitate a large audience without making the entire event seem too crowded. As a bonus, these venues have many accessways which allow for different exits and entrances.
- Quaint Graduation Ceremony at a Studio
Not all graduations take place on a large scale, so studios can serve as a suitable graduation ceremony for small and medium-sized graduations. These venues often are bare which allows you to be creative with the décor placement.