Question about going to a graduation ceremony

hayley11

My brothers graduation ceremony is next month, my mum & dad are going with him but he's said others can go and watch it on a big screen somewhere?

Anyway, as none of us have ever known anybody finish uni, we don't know what the correct etiquette is, we've been told formal wear, is this like suits and ties (or bow ties?) for men and long evening gowns for women? We're a bit worried about not being dressed up enough, or being too dressed up and making my brother look daft.

Also is it the norm to buy a gift? Are there specific graduation gifts like for weddings/christenings?

Sorry if I sound really dense, we just want to make sure we do everything right because we're so proud, it's taken him a long time to get here and he's struggled with his mental health problems but he's done it and we want to show him how proud we are.

nursenancy

First of all - a big congratulations to your brother!
I don't know about your brothers Uni, but I've been to 3 graduations(my sisters and my own) and the dress code was smart. Dad wore a suit - most of the men did, and Mam wore a nice dress, the sort of thing you'd wear to a wedding, not a ball gown but not scruffy either. I wouldn't worry, the main thing is you go and show your support.
As for presents, I got a few cards but no gifts. Maybe my family are just tight!! :rotfl:

melancholly

not the norm with gifts for us either, but then again my parents didn't go to uni so with other families it may differ! a suit for men is probably a safe bet, but i'd imagine a tie is optional to be honest (done 3 graduations now!). for women, something smart is fine - dress, skirt and top, trousers and top - nothing 'evening wear' like is needed. some people wore hats at the last one but that just blocked views and they were in the minority anyway.

maybe a nice gift would be getting a photo of him in a gown for him? i'm sure there will be official photographers but you could also just find somewhere on the day that looks pretty and take a nice one of your own.

hayley11

Thanks for the replies. I'll let my mum know she doesn't need to go out and buy a really fancy dress that she'll never wear again!

Mankysteve

If your just going to be watching on the TV in one of there side halls smart casual will do. I went to see my Gfs graduation. She managed to get seat for me, her mum, sis and bro in the main room and I just wore smart casual clothes as I don't owe a suit or such.

leopard85

I've graduated twice, and as others have said, the dress code is smart - think wedding or smart office wear. Dads often wear a suit, but its perfectly acceptable to wear a smart shirt and trousers if it's a hot, sunny day.

As for gifts, my siblings and I didn't buy each other presents. You could think about chipping in to buy some of the photos/frames/photo CD's that they sell as these are often very expensive. It's usually about £40 for the photo pack and up to about £150 for the nice wooden photo frame - sounds a lot but its worth every penny!

minerva_windsong

When I graduated my dad wore a suit and tie and my mum and sister both wore smart knee length dresses (think the kind of thing you might wear for a wedding or family party say, rather than an evening gown).

As I only had two tickets to the hall my parents went in there and sister watched it on a big screen set up in the main building, where they also had a cafe-type set-up so she could get a cup of tea. Frankly I don't think you miss much watching the screen, my sister saw the ten seconds I was on the stage and then quite happily amused herself for the rest of it!

I didn't get any presents (or if I did I don't remember), just a nice meal afterwards, a few cards and a bit of money from grandparents, but I wasn't bothered about that. Chipping in for the pictures is a nice idea though.

Hermia

Both of my graduations were in the day so evening gowns would have looked a little odd. Men usually wear suits and ties and the women wear smart clothes. I was looking at my cousin's recent graduation photos and most of the mums are wearing a sort of toned down version of the mother-of-the-bride look.

I didn't get any presents. I think most graduates get taken out for dinner afterwards as a present.

Have fun! Bear in mind that it can be a very boring ceremony because you spend AGES watching strangers walking across a stage just waiting for the 30 seconds when it will be your loved one!

hayley11

Thanks, good to know it's not quite as fancy as my brother thought! I'm taking my mum shopping today to find something nice to wear

nutty1

i went to my sons yesterday, men had mostly shirts and ties on and ladies had dresses on, not long ones. it just reminded me of a big wedding reception with everyone dressed up.
it was a lovely day, hope yours is too

hayley11

kathrynt wrote: »

i went to my sons yesterday, men had mostly shirts and ties on and ladies had dresses on, not long ones. it just reminded me of a big wedding reception with everyone dressed up.
it was a lovely day, hope yours is too

Thanks It was a couple of weeks ago, we had a great time