Free Planning Tool
Class Reunion Budget Calculator
Enter your expected attendance, venue cost, food, and drinks. Get your per-person ticket price, break-even number, and projected surplus.
Expected attendance
Fixed Costs (same regardless of attendance)
Venue rental
incl depositDJ / entertainment
Printing & supplies
name tags, bookletsDecor & setup
Miscellaneous
postage, prizesPer-Person Costs
Food per person
× 80 guestsDrinks per person
open/limited barSafety buffer
10%10% recommended — covers last-minute surprises.
Recommended Ticket Price
$150
per person — covers all costs + small margin
| Fixed costs total | $4,500 |
| Variable costs total(80 × $70) | $5,600 |
| Safety buffer | $1,010 |
| TOTAL BUDGET | $11,110 |
Break-even ticket price
$140
Charge less than this and you lose money.
Projected surplus at recommended price:
$890
Use for scholarships or seed next reunion.
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Track your reunion budget in real time
Reunly tracks every line item, every payment, every refund — and ties it to your live RSVP count.
Class Reunion Budget Tips
Set your price tied to early-bird
Offer 10-15% discount for RSVPs before deadline 8-12 weeks out. About 60% of attendees will commit early to lock in the discount — which gives you cash flow to pay venue deposits.
Food is the lever
F&B is 50-65% of total cost. To cut budget, switch from plated to buffet (saves 15-20%), from open bar to two-drink tickets (saves $1,500-3,000), or move dinner to heavy hors d'oeuvres only.
Always include 10% buffer
Reunion costs always have surprises. Build the buffer into the ticket price — don't list it separately. If you don't use it, donate the leftover to the next reunion or to a scholarship.
Run a fundraiser for fixed costs
Send a donation letter 2-4 weeks after the invitation. Donations cover venue deposit, subsidize tickets for classmates who can't afford, and seed the next reunion's fund.
Budget Questions
How do I figure out the ticket price for a class reunion?
Add your fixed costs (venue, DJ, printing, decor) plus per-person costs (food, drinks) times expected attendance, add a 10% safety buffer, then divide by attendance. Add 5% for a margin so you're not flat at break-even. For a 80-person reunion with a $2,500 venue, $45/person food, $25/person drinks, and modest extras — that lands around $110-130 per ticket. Use the calculator above to get your exact number.
How much does a class reunion cost to host?
For 80-100 people, expect $7,500-$15,000 total cost depending on venue and food style. Per person that's $90-150. Higher-end reunions (country club, plated meal, open bar) run $200-250 per person. Casual reunions (brewery, food truck, BYOB) can come in at $50-75 per person.
What's the biggest cost in a class reunion budget?
Food and beverages — typically 50-65% of total cost. Venue is second (15-25%). Everything else (DJ, printing, decor, prizes, postage) combines for 15-20%. If you need to cut costs, the venue F&B is the lever; switching from open bar to two-drink ticket can save $1,500-3,000.
Should I include a buffer in my class reunion budget?
Always — minimum 10%. Reunion costs always have surprises: last-minute attendees, taxes you forgot, postage, name tag reprints, tip for staff. The buffer is what keeps you from asking the committee to chip in personal money to cover the gap. Build it into the ticket price; don't list it as a separate fee.
Should I charge the same ticket price for everyone?
No. Almost every successful reunion uses tiered pricing: early-bird (10-15% off, deadline 8-12 weeks out), standard, single vs couple, and a discounted student/young-grad price for newer alumni. Tiered pricing drives 60% of RSVPs to the early-bird deadline — which is exactly when you need them to commit.
Track Your Full Reunion Budget in Reunly
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