A doctor spent $7,529 throwing an extravagant party with 130 guests – to celebrate the end of her doctorate.
Aileen Delaney, 27, says her four-year PhD was “very stressful” and her studies were interrupted by the pandemic.
She wanted to make sure she celebrated her milestone – which she says is as important a milestone as having a baby or getting married.
Aileen decided to throw a big party in January to celebrate finishing her degree and spent six months saving up $7,529 to spend on it.
The “huge” party – which was the size of a wedding – was held in a stately home, with 130 invited guests, a band called One for the Road, playing and a professional photographer.
And Aileen believes women should be able to “celebrate all achievements in this way”.
Aileen, a public engagement officer, from Birmingham said: “As a woman, I have more to celebrate than just getting married or having a baby.
“Sharing our achievements is very important.
“And it’s funny – I’ve had 130 people come to this party.
“It was exactly what you would do for a wedding.
“But the best part is – even if I get married – I will always be a doctor, not a ‘Mrs.’
Aileen started her PhD in Physics at the University of Leeds in October 2019.
Just six months later, her studies were interrupted by the pandemic and she was forced to work entirely from home.
The degree course took a total of four years and Aileen says she struggled at times.
“I found it really difficult,” she said.
“I wrote my thesis alongside my full-time job as a public engagement officer.
“I don’t think I’ve ever experienced so much stress.”
She wanted a party to mark the end of her studies, but she didn’t want a “standard night out”.
In addition to a new, full-time job paying $2.50 a month and writing her thesis, Aileen began planning a party for mid-June.
She added: “We don’t celebrate achievements enough.
“Getting a job requires over 20 years of education – then you’ll have a ‘well done’ and a dinner, maybe.
“I wanted to make the most of it.”
In January 2024, Aileen began looking for venues large enough to hold 130 of her friends and family members.
She wanted to find a space with a good bar and lots of beer on tap.
In the end, she decided to pay $2,384 to hire Highbury Hall in Birmingham from 4pm to 1am.
She also spent $941 on hiring an Irish-style cover band and rented a $1,104 designer dress for $110 at ByRotation.
“I didn’t really need that extra stress while writing my thesis,” Aileen said.
“I basically did a solo wedding.
“In the last month I decided to hire a professional photographer.
“I didn’t want to rely on iPhone photos on the big day.
“I just wanted everything to be really bright and fun.”
Aileen also handmade decorations for the place – including disco balls.
She added: “I decided to make a gift box of things that people would really like.
“People would get a welcome drink and a homemade friendship bracelet.”
She submitted her thesis on June 10th and held her party on the 15th.
Friends and family came from London, Leeds and all over Ireland.
They were even greeted by a wedding-style “order of service” sign – including welcome drinks at 4pm, the band starting at 9pm and evening meals at 10pm.
“I felt like I could completely relax, for the first time in a while,” she said.
“We danced all night – it was incredible.”
“Everyone really enjoyed it and loved dressing up as if they were going to a wedding.
“The dress code was ‘wear me.’
Aileen feels like she might do something different for her upcoming wedding – because she’s already thrown the big party.
Aileen has decided not to throw a big party if she does eventually get married – and says she has “already done that”.
She said: “Many girls are taught to plan their weddings from a young age.
“Coming from a big family, it was always expected.
“But if I ever get married, it won’t be a big party.
“It can be anything I want it to be.”
What Aileen spent on her PhD party:
- Country – $2,384
- Welcome drink – $565
- Band – $941
- Food – $1505
- Evening meal – $251
- Dress – $110
- Photography – $941
- Decor – $502
- Makeup – $63
- Gift Boxes – $63 each
- House T-shirt – $125
- Fake Four Tier ‘Wedding Style Cake’ – $125
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Image Source : nypost.com