Explore this Article
methods
1Homecoming Event Planning
2Homecoming Event Checklist
Other Sections
Tips and Warnings
Things You'll Need
Related Articles
Co-authored byStefanie Chu-Leong
Last Updated: July 31, 2021
Homecoming is a week-long celebration that welcomes alumni of a high school or university back to campus. This reunion fosters school pride and alumni involvement with the school. Celebrations often include activities, speakers, assemblies, a dance and a football game. If you want to plan a school-sponsored homecoming event or an independent party, you will need to plan well in advance and choose your venue and timing carefully. This article will tell you how to plan events for a Homecoming Party.
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:
Homecoming Event Planning
1
Check the dates for next year's homecoming regularly. They are usually set by a planning committee at the school. A successful Homecoming event is usually planned well in advance.
2
Appoint a committee if your events will be school sponsored. The committee may include faculty, students, board members and alumni. They will be able to make sure money and other support provided by the school is used in conjunction with the school's goals.
Advertisem*nt
3
Choose a theme for Homecoming, if that is a tradition at your school. The school may choose it for itself, in which case you should use that theme for your events.
4
Decide what events you want to put on. If you plan to have a number of events, you may want to appoint someone in charge of each event. Discuss a potential schedule of the events on the week of Homecoming.
5
Prepare a budget for your Homecoming events. Include money from all sources and suggest fundraising events, if necessary. Separate the budget for each event so the head event planner can work within their individual budget.
- Ask for donations or sponsorships at least 6 months in advance. You may get donations from alumni or seek local or national businesses who want to market themselves to college or high school students or alumni.
Advertisem*nt
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:
Homecoming Event Checklist
1
Choose venues for each event. You may need to research and visit potential sites, or they may be held on campus. Events that involve alcohol may need to take place at local restaurants, bars, hotels or historical sites.
2
Send Save-the-Date cards to alumni approximately 6 months in advance. You must give people who live out of town advance warning to make travel plans. Once the date, time, location and ticket information is planned, email and mail cards with an RSVP email address and phone number.
3
Do all the necessary paperwork and order the promotional materials and invitations about 3 to 6 months before the event. The following are necessary steps for a successful event.
- Submit the necessary paperwork for all the events. If you plan to serve alcohol, you will need to get a liquor license for the day of the event. If you plan on using school or public grounds, you may need a use permit.
- Get insurance for large events. Liability insurance protects you from lawsuits in case of accidents. The school may suggest or provide this insurance.
- Hire a graphic designer to do a poster and other promotions for the event. Print your invitations, posters, flyers well in advance. Set up a website, if necessary.
- Arrange television, radio, newspaper and other advertising about 3 months from the event. Most of the promotion will happen 2 weeks before the event, but some alumni press will be published months in advance to give people time to plan.
4
Design the décor for your event 1 to 2 months in advance. Plan according to the theme. For smaller events, you can settle on final décor decisions 2 weeks to 1 month in advance.
5
Book the entertainment 1 to 6 months in advance. Bands usually need to be booked 4 to 6 months in advance for big events. DJs, speakers, auctioneers and other entertainment may be booked 1 to 3 months before the event.
6
Hire photographers and security personnel, if you believe they are appropriate for your event. Do this approximately 1 month before the event. For many events, this is not necessary, or you can use campus or student personnel.
7
Send invitations 1 to 2 months before the event. Collect RSVPs and create an event list. Send out updates by email, such as suggestions about what hotels are conveniently located close to Homecoming events and offer discounts to alumni.
8
Print programs and signs 2 weeks before the event. Some information can change, so ensure you wait long enough to confirm all the essential details.
9
Organize refreshments, such as food and beverages 1 to 2 months in advance. You should receive bids and choose businesses that fit in your budget. Confirm the food details 1 month and 1 week in advance of the event.
10
Confirm all the details of your event every month, during meetings or by collecting updates from each head event planner. Ensure you are staying on budget.
Advertisem*nt
Expert Q&A
Search
Question
What are some dos and don'ts when making party invitations?
Stefanie Chu-Leong
Professional Event PlannerStefanie Chu-Leong is the Owner and Senior Event Planner for Stellify Events, an event management business based in the San Francisco Bay Area and California Central Valley. Stefanie has over 15 years of event planning experience and specializes in large-scale events and special occasions. She has a BA in Marketing from San Francisco State University.
Stefanie Chu-Leong
Professional Event Planner
Expert Answer
The common mistake people make when they're inviting is they don't cap the guestlist. Sometimes people think there is a big open space, so they can invite 1,000 people instead of 200. Now you have crossed the threshold of a fire hazard. The venue now also has to worry about increasing security and other elements.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHowYesNo
Not Helpful 0Helpful 0
Question
What should I do if my guests haven't responded to my party invite?
Stefanie Chu-Leong
Professional Event PlannerStefanie Chu-Leong is the Owner and Senior Event Planner for Stellify Events, an event management business based in the San Francisco Bay Area and California Central Valley. Stefanie has over 15 years of event planning experience and specializes in large-scale events and special occasions. She has a BA in Marketing from San Francisco State University.
Stefanie Chu-Leong
Professional Event Planner
Expert Answer
You have to do some personalization. The host should say, "Hey, we are so happy for you to come. We are about to submit our headcount for the meal, so we can make sure that you eat." Having that warm conversation helps a lot.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHowYesNo
Not Helpful 0Helpful 0
Question
How could we raise funds for homecoming?
Community Answer
You could have a bake sale, a raffle, or even a sponsored event. You could do a couple of these things, depending on how much money you need.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHowYesNo
Not Helpful 1Helpful 2
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Advertisem*nt
Tips
Ask for volunteers. Many Homecoming events can be held with help from students and alumni. Volunteers take the place of paid staff and make it easier to stay on budget.
Thanks
Helpful0Not Helpful0
Advertisem*nt
Things You'll Need
- Homecoming dates
- Homecoming theme
- Planning committee
- Venues
- Invitations/Save the Date cards
- Volunteers
- Licenses/Permits
- Caterers/Distributors
- Refreshments
- Programs
- Graphic designer
You Might Also Like
Advertisem*nt
About this article
Co-authored by:
Stefanie Chu-Leong
Professional Event Planner
This article was co-authored by Stefanie Chu-Leong. Stefanie Chu-Leong is the Owner and Senior Event Planner for Stellify Events, an event management business based in the San Francisco Bay Area and California Central Valley. Stefanie has over 15 years of event planning experience and specializes in large-scale events and special occasions. She has a BA in Marketing from San Francisco State University. This article has been viewed 38,409 times.
45 votes - 80%
Co-authors: 11
Updated: July 31, 2021
Views:38,409
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 38,409 times.
Reader Success Stories
Anonymous
Dec 20, 2023
"Your article was very helpful!"
Did this article help you?
Advertisem*nt