college graduation invitation wording

My husband is finally graduating college and the whole family is coming to see him. We live three hours away from everyone, and a hour away from the college, so my house is not an option. He would like to have a large dinner afterwards, (instead of a casual party at a park) but we are not in a position to pay for 30 people to eat dinner. How can I word the invitations so people know that they will be paying for themselves if they choose to join us for dinner?

My husband is graduating from college in May. Yay! Anyway, we are sending out announcements, and want to invite everyone to an informal dinner/gathering at our house. We want it to sound mostly like an open house sort of thing. The cards we got to write invitation on are completely blank so how should I write this?

I will be graduating for the first time from college with a B.S. degree in a few weeks. My problem is how do I word a Open House party invitation? Additionally, should I send announcements (and the wording for such) to my family and friends that do not live in the state about the graduation? Why I am at a loss is that I am an "adult" learner graduate...42 years old. My research so far has turned up information for the 20-somethings graduates that the parents are hosting the party or sending out announcements. Some of the research states people that are above 30 years old should not send any announcements or celebrate the occasion. I just want to celebrate the occasion and not offend my relatives if I do not send some type of announcement. I was only given five graduation commencement invitations and limited to four guests. I think there is a difference between an commencement invitation, open house invitation and graduation announcements. Thank you for your help.

I go to school across the country from my family. I only have 4 tickets to my Ceremony and they are for my parents and sisters. Everyone is allowed to go to the Mass and it's kind of perfect because its a time of prayer and knowing I have support. My guests without tickets can go to the ceremony but have to "stand outside the tent." Is it rude to make them stand outside? Or should I even send an announcement to come to my mass? My family has always wanted to visit me in NYC, and some relatives are making a vacation out of it, should I suggests the same for everyone else? Thanks in advance! I'm really excited since I'm the first peson in my family to graduate from college.

I know it is typically tacky to request gifts for a party. However, I am hosting a party for a high school grad that doesn't have much. There is not much family involvement, and I don't think she has enough money or supplies to start her college career in the fall. In our area, graduation parties are a 'new' thing, and I want to, in the most polite way possible, make sure she is showered with gifts! How can I word the invitation so it doesn't seem rude?