Are you ready to plan your high school reunion? Let’s get an 80s playlist going (or early 2000s?), some iced coffee, and take a gander down memory lane to start planning your high school reunion.
We chatted with experienced event planners across the country to provide you with expert advice and practical tips to plan your high school reunion. We also scoured the internet to find high school reunion case studies – and we were honestly blown away by the creativity and fun ventures of classes all around the country! Our resources will guide you through every step, from creating a budget, selecting a location, and choosing a theme for your party.
Phase One: How To Start Planning Your High School Reunion
Pre-Event Planning, Brainstorming, Initial Discussions
Phase one occurs 8-12 months before the Reunion
Your Role as a High School Reunion Planner
It sounds like you’re the chosen one to plan your high school reunion! Or maybe you’re on the planning committee. We’re glad you’re here and let’s get down to business!
Why plan a high school reunion?
A high school reunion is more than just a party — it’s the reunion of friends who spent those awkward, hilarious, and fun high school years together. Whether 20 years have passed, or 50 years, it’s always fulfilling to see how your classmates are doing and reconnect.
“What I remember most about high school are the memories I created with my friends.” – J.J. Watt
Friendship, Nostalgia, and High School Memories
The friendships we make in high school are unique and special. Your best friend from 9th grade homeroom that joined the track team with you, and introduced you to your first boyfriend. Your favorite English teacher who taught you the magic of Shakespeare. The memories going to soccer practice every day, traveling to speech and debate tournaments, and having lunch with your best friends everyday.
And you can’t forget the notes you’d leave in your best friends locker!
High school is one of the most formative periods of our lives.
The Purpose of High School Reunions
High school reunions are amazing ways to reflect on your journey since graduation and celebrate the friendships. These events can also create an opportunity to create new relationships and network.
In a world filled with social media and AI, it can be so special to get together face-to-face and actually spend time together. As the high school reunion planner, you’ll want to create a nostalgic, warm, and welcoming environment for your reunion.
Forming Your Reunion Committee
One of the very first things you want to do is enlist some help to plan the high school reunion. If your high school has an alumni committee or group, that’s a good place to start.
If you’re a solo-planner, reach out to a few of your besties from high school to help coordinate and brainstorm.
You’ll want to know early on who will be in the trenches with you, and who can volunteer to help the day of the reunion!
Start to Track Down Classmates
If you have an alumni list from your high school, start there. However, it may not be complete, and that’s where the fun starts. You and your team get to practice your Sherlock Holmes internet sleuthing skills to track down all your high school classmates for the reunion.
Social media platforms are very helpful these days to find long lost friends and high school classmates. LinkedIn is also a great platform to use! And you can pretty much google anyone these days.
Our advice, keep a spreadsheet and track everyone’s name and email address in one place. This spreadsheet will eventually become your high school reunion guest list.
The Essential Early Details
As you embark on your high school reunion journey, focus on these key elements. Be open to creative solutions.
Setting the Date: Your High School Reunion
Setting a date might be the most important thing you do during the planning phase! Once you have the date, everyone can make travel arrangements to attend.
The most popular time for a high school reunion is summer through December. However, the best time to plan your reunion is the time that works for YOUR class. There are many ways to get creative about your high school reunion without breaking the bank.
In fact, Thanksgiving weekend has become a very popular time for a high school reunion. The night before Thanksgiving day is great for a casual high school reunion at a local pub, and many high school alumni get together on Turkey Day, or over THanksgiving weekend.
Thanksgiving Turkey Bowl Reunion Case Study: Oceanside High School
The 1984 class of Oceanside High School gets together every year at Thanksgiving for Turkey Bowl! For over four decades, the Turkey Bowl has been a tradition for the class and a way to stay in touch. In fact, as the years go on, even the children of the ‘84 graduating class also join the game!
After the annual Turkey Bowl, the group takes their reunion over to EGP Oceanside, a local restaurant owned by one an Oceanside HS alum, to reminisce and chat.
“At this point, this is a brotherhood and a sisterhood. It’s just about old friends. Getting to see each other’s families grow up, catching up and maintaining a tradition over all these years, and we’re open to anyone that wants to be a part of that.” – JOSEPH CUOMO, originally quoted in www.liherald.com
Props to the class of 1984 of Oceanside High School for keeping that high school spirit alive for over 40 years!
Courtesy Joseph Cuomo
Choosing Your High School Reunion Date
As you choose the date for your family reunion, stay flexible! Think about the interests of your class, what time of year might be most convenient and fun, and don’t be afraid to think outside of the box and start a new tradition.
Once you have a date range or a few dates in mind, pitch the dates to the class and see which date works for the majority.
Your High School Reunion Venue
For many high school reunions, it’s convenient and nostalgic to return to your high school to hold the event. Work with your high school alumni group to see if your high school is available for the date you have in mind. If you decide to have a sports focused reunion, maybe the football or soccer field could be the perfect spot for you!
If you don’t have the option to hold your class reunion at your high school, it’s time to brainstorm. Much like a family reunion or other event, pick a location that reflects the personality of your group and makes sense financially.
Look for event venues that have ample parking or a shuttle service, and always inquire about in-house catering versus outside food and beverage service. You’ll also want to find out how the location handles alcohol. Can you bring your own drinks, or does the venue provide a bar service?
Some locations require deposit fees, and you’ll want to find that out as soon as possible.
Here’s a list of ideas for your high school reunion venue:
- Your high school (top choice for many!)
- A favorite restaurant your class used to frequent
- Any budget friendly restaurant or venue, or one owned by a class alum
- Hotel ballroom
- Beach BBQ
- Local Park
- Golf Course
- Backyard party
Choose a Theme for Your High School Reunion
It’s time to travel down memory lane for your high school reunion. Whether that’s the iconic 1980s, or the effortlessly cool 1990s, or the turn-of-the-century early 2000’s, get as funky or elegant as you want with your high school reunion theme!
For example, if you’re going for the 80s, you could pick the entire decade as your reunion theme like the alum of Hirschi High School did for their reunion in 2023. Or, you might want to narrow down your high school reunion theme and focus on a specific aspect of your decade — like movies, music, or fashion.
Here’s a few theme ideas for your high school reunion.
1980s Movies
High school movies were very popular in the 1980s. From Grease 2, Footloose, Back to the Future, Sixteen Candles, and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and many more, you have a plethora of movies to be inspired by!
“The question isn’t, ‘what are we going to do?’… the question is, ‘what aren’t we going to do?'” -Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick)
The Entire Decade of the 1980s
We found a case study we think you’ll love! In 2023, the alumni class of Hirschi High School organized a combined reunion for the entire decade alumni who graduated from their school from 1980 – 1989. What made this high school reunion so unique and fun (we wish WE were invited…) is the schedule of activities.
On Friday night, there was a pep rally and football game, followed by a tour of the high school. The next day, alum were invited to a picnic at a local park. On Saturday night, the reunion continued with a dancing party at Marriott Convention Center. All this, AND they made custom high school reunion t-shirts!
Paint and Sip (Wine, Bourbon, Whatever you’ve got!)
A common party trend over the last few years for events is the classic Paint and Sip party. This event theme includes appetizers, wine, and painting stations for all the guests. Usually, there’s a master painting that everyone paints on their own canvas.
If you’re looking for something a little unique with an activity, a paint and sip reunion could ease social anxiety by letting guest’s creativity and wine juices flow. Plus, this type of high school reunion guarantees each guest a self-created party favor!
High School Trivia
This is where an active alumni association can come in handy, or at least a classmate with a good memory! Create questions about your high school daily life, teachers and staff, inside jokes, sports, trends, and current events.
PHASE 2: High School Reunion Pre-Production and Event Development
Pre-Production, Budgeting, Fundraising, Locking in Vendors
Phase Two occurs 8-12 months before the Reunion
Create Your High School Reunion Budget
Based on the brainstorming and pre-planning you’ve done for your high school reunion, now you can get to work on the logistics.
Your budget will determine which ideas can become a reality for your party. Every good event starts with a comprehensive budget.
Start by including all the essential categories in your budget.
Essential budget line items:
PRE-PRODUCTION
-Location deposit and fee
-Invitations
PRODUCTION / DAY OF THE EVENT
-Drinks/ Alcohol
-Decorations
-Entertainment (Music, DJ)
-Food
-Photography
-Contingency (15%)
7 Ways to Save Money in Your High School Reunion Budget
You can have an amazing party on a low budget. Here are a few tips for saving money while planning your high school reunion:
1. Get creative about your location to save on location fees.
Your high school itself can be the place you start with for your high school reunion. If you can’t hold your event there, ask around to see if an alumni has a large backyard or owns a venue. Location is often the biggest hard cost of a reunion. Taking the initiative to get creative about a high school reunion venue can save your budget!
2. Find out early on how many people will be attending.
The earlier you know an estimate of how many people plan to attend, the better. That number will inform your food and alcohol cost.
3. Find out what kinds of amenities are included in your location fee.
Some locations will include tables and chairs as part of your location fee. Other locations will add these costs on. Find out early what is included with your location contract.
If your location has a kitchen, it may be helpful to have the location prep and serve the food. In some cases, bringing in your own catering or an outside vendor might be more affordable. Find out your location catering prices, and ask about their policies on outside food and alcohol early on.
4. Tap into the skills of your high school class.
Does your high school class have a professional event planner? Take that event planner out to coffee, and see what tips they have for the high school reunion planning. They might be willing to donate a little time or expertise to plan your reunion!
5. Buy food or alcohol in bulk.
We love a good CostCo run. And if your class is preparing appetizers or food for your reunion, Costco might be your best bet in buying food in bulk.
With alcohol, sometimes you can get discounts from wineries if you buy multiple cases of wine rather than a bottle.
6. Search for sponsorship opportunities and donations.
There may be local businesses in your community with ties to your high school that might be willing to donate in-kind donations or funds.
In your high school reunion alumni updates and meetings, ask around to see if any high school alumni can help contribute to the reunion. For instance, if one of your high school alumni owns a restaurant, they might be willing to give a discount on the catering. It’s a win-win, as you’re bringing business to alumni, and also saving your budget for other items.
7. Stay flexible as you create your high school reunion budget.
Prioritize spending on your essential line items. As you evaluate each expense, determine the costs you absolutely have to pay for versus costs where you can get volunteer services or donations.
For example, if your high school class really wants to have your party at a biergarten or a winery, make some calls to different venues and ask around for different prices. Vendor quotes and pricing can vary drastically. If you stay flexible about the end result and create a list of potential locations, you’re more likely to find a venue that fits your budget.
It’s always a best practice to see your budget as a working document that guides the planning and decision-making process.
How to Pay for Your High School Reunion
Once you’ve created your budget, you need to figure out how to pay for everything. This step requires discussion with your high school reunion planning committee.
Ticket Prices for High School Reunions
You can set ticket prices for your reunion and ask your guests to pay for their ticket as they RSVP. In Reunacy, our event planning platform, you can ask guests to pay via PayPal and Venmo as they submit their RSVP.
If you charge $65 a ticket and sell 100 tickets, then your planning committee will have $6,500 to cover costs of the high school reunion.
Fundraising for Your High School Reunion
To fundraise for a high school reunion, consider these creative approaches:
Crowdfunding: Set up an online fundraising campaign. Share the link widely among classmates and encourage donations of any size.
Silent Auction: Collect donated items or experiences from local businesses or alumni. Hold a silent auction at the reunion, allowing attendees to bid on items.
Raffles: Sell raffle tickets for a chance to win a prize, such as a gift basket or a weekend getaway.
Sponsorship: Reach out to local businesses and ask for sponsorships in exchange for advertising at the reunion or on promotional materials.
Send Invites and Communicate Details, and track RSVPs
Send the invites to your classmates and alumni at least 6-7 months before your high school reunion. This allows everyone to mark their calendars, and make travel arrangements if necessary!
Food and Drinks Planning
When deciding on food and drinks for your high school reunion, consider the atmosphere you want to create.
A casual outdoor gathering might call for a barbecue with burgers, hot dogs, and delicious sides like potato salad and coleslaw. For a more formal event, you might want to do a buffet or plated dinner with a variety of dishes.
If you’re hosting a daytime event, lighter fare like finger foods and appetizers might be more suitable. Don’t forget to accommodate dietary restrictions, such as vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free options.
For drinks, offer a mix of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Beer and wine are classic choices, but consider offering signature cocktails or mocktails to add a special touch. For non-alcoholic options, water, soda, and juice are always popular.
If you’re planning a late-night event, coffee and tea can be a nice way to end the night. Remember to prioritize the comfort and enjoyment of your guests, so choose food and drinks that are both delicious and practical for the setting and occasion.
Fun High School Reunion Activities and Entertainment
Getting the Band Back Together: A Music Themed High School Reunion Case Study
We found an amazing case study of a 50th high school reunion in Columbus, Ohio that inspired a few alumni to get their band back together!
Knowing that his 50th high school reunion was coming up, musician and Worthington High School of ‘74 alumni Rob Lamp checked in with a few of his high school and junior high friends who played music together as teenagers.
The band called themselves 1974 and decided to play classic hits from the 70s. With a few vocalists, guitarists, a keyboard player and a drum players, the group of friends 1974 performed for their high school reunion.
The high school reunion served as a catalyst for these musicians to rediscover their shared passion and perform together once again, proving that the bonds formed in high school can last a lifetime!
Check out their performance video here:
Photo Booth
A photo booth at your high school reunion captures unforgettable moments, and is a great way to break the ice and encourage alumni to have a little fun!
If you want to DIY a photo booth, create a colorful or school-spirited backdrop where guests can take selfies! You can also have a dedicated photographer there to take the photos.
Photo booths do well with props and signs. You can find a bunch of fun Photo Booth Props like silly glasses, wigs, and signs on Amazon!
Nostalgic Activities
A popular high school reunion activity is to showcase old high school photos and videos. You can put all these media assets into a slide show. Another option is to lay out a memorabilia and memory table, setting out yearbooks, old photos, trinkets from the time, and photos.
Ice Breaker Games
Yes, even though you all went to high school together, some of your guests might still have a bit of social anxiety. If you want to try out some games to break the ice, create a trivia or storytelling exercise.
For example, each table setting at the party can receive a piece of paper with 10 different questions about the high school and the class. Then, as each table sits through dinner, guests can brainstorm and chat about their answers. Announce the trivia answers after dinner!
Reunion Environment: Decor and Ambiance
Want your high school reunion to be unforgettable? Creating a memorable atmosphere is key! A well-planned ambiance can elevate a party and significantly impact the overall experiences of your guests.
For your high school reunion, you might want your ambiance to evoke nostalgia and create a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere for your classmates to reconnect.
By thoughtfully selecting decorations, lighting, and music, you can transform your reunion venue into a space that celebrates your shared history and fosters new memories.
Set Up a “Nostalgia Corner”
Set up a designated area with old yearbooks, high school photos, and memorabilia. This area will spark conversations and help guests reminisce about shared experiences.
Background Music
If you want to create a relaxed atmosphere, play soft background music that evokes nostalgia. Consider a playlist of popular songs from your high school years, or a live band to set the mood.
If you want to hire a DJ to get everyone dancing, that’s a fun option as well!
Class Reunion Decorations Ideas:
-A fun and simple way to set the mood is to consider a balloon arch with a poster. Here’s a reunion poster from Etsy we really like!
-For each table, you can consider any decoration that references the year of your class.
For example, if you are the Class of 1975, you can get confetti that says “Class of 1975.”
-Flower arrangements for each table in the theme colors of your high school.
-Printed nostalgic photos for each table.
-A welcome table near the front entrance with a memory book for everyone to sign.
Crystal Hackl created incredible decor and design for a class reunion and wrote in detail about her process – check out her tips too!
Soft Lighting
Opt for warm, soft lighting to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Avoid harsh, overhead lights that can be unflattering and overwhelming.
Class Reunion Photography
We recommend hiring a photographer to document the night, and encourage all your guests to take their own photos too. Guests can upload their high school reunion photos into your Reunacy group, so that the photos are accessible to everyone!
If you have a designated alum or friend/family of an alum who can volunteer to be the event photographer, make sure you have a detailed shot list. Remember – the most important thing you can do as a photographer is keep guests comfortable and laughing so you can capture those authentic smiles!
Class Reunion T-Shirts
If you want to design and order class reunion t-shirts as party souvenirs, check out our post on creating family reunion t-shirts!
We’ll take you through the entire process from choosing a meaningful design, picking the right fabric, to vendors that will print out your shirt for you.
Phase Three: It’s Time for the Party!
Phase Three occurs 1 month before the Reunion, to the day of the event
It’s go time! It’s the week of the high school reunion. The details and communication process matter the most in the moments leading up to the event. Once the reunion starts, try to have everything managed so you can enjoy the fruits of your labor and have an amazing time with your classmates!
It’s Time to Confirm the Details
Here are the most important details you need to re-confirm the week of the reunion:
Preparation schedule:
-Food shopping and prep: Will the caterer take care of the main meal? Will you still need to shop for and prepare appetizers or drinks?
-When can you decorate the venue? Who can help you decorate?
Vendor deliveries:
When will tables and chairs be delivered? Is there anyone who can help set these up?
Transportation
-Parking at location: Where will guests park? Are there enough spaces at the location?
-Will there be transportation provided from the hotel to the venue?
Vendors
-Make sure to pay your vendors on time
-Communicate with your vendors the week before the reunion for any last minute changes or updates.
Seating arrangements:
-Do you want classmates to sit wherever they wish, or is it better to organize a seating arrangement?
-How will you communicate the seating arrangements? Will you give guests a table number when they check in?
Check-In Table:
-Will you arrange a check-in table to provide name tags and high school reunion information?
Schedule for Clean Up
YOU DID IT!!! It’s finally time for the Reunion!
Start a free group on Reunacy today to start connecting with your high school classmates and building the plans for your amazing reunion.