Backyard Graduation Party in South Florida: Run of Show

Graduation season in South Florida packs a lot of parties into a few weekends. The ones that work at home have a plan: family time in the afternoon, the grads' party at night, and the logistics sorted out weeks ahead.

Six to eight weeks out

• Book the date. Popular weekends book 6 to 8 weeks ahead; most other dates 2 to 3 weeks.
• Decide who's hosting. Two or three families can share one party and one setup. The Large holds up to 50 guests at a time, and people rotate between the club and the yard.
• Pick the size. The Small holds up to 20 guests, the Large up to 50.

Two weeks out

• Measure the spot: 14' x 17' for the Small or 21' x 21' for the Large, flat, with nothing overhead.
• Find four outlets on separate breakers, or add a generator.
• Send the invitations with a shoe note: sneakers or flats inside the club.

The day of

Here's an example run of show. Move the times to fit yours.

• 2 p.m.: family open house outside, with the food, the photos and the speeches.
• 6 p.m.: the club opens for the grads and their friends. Light drinks can go in; the food and the cake stay outside.
• Until your city's late-night limit: the dance floor, with a DJ or the class playlist over Bluetooth.

Tell us when the club should be ready. The crew arrives about three hours before that to set up the club, the lighting, the A/C and the sound, and breaks it all down the same day.

High school, college or grad school

For a high school grad, the house rules are yours: we set no age limit, and anything served is the host's call. For a college or med school grad, it's a private club with a guest list you approve.

If it rains

Light rain is fine: the Large nightclub is fully waterproof and the Small is water-resistant. For severe weather, we work with you to reschedule.

Book it

The Small nightclub package starts at $999. See the details for Miami, Pembroke Pines, Coral Springs and Boca Raton.