A doctor spent £6k throwing herself an extravagant party with 130 guests – to celebrate the end of her PhD.
Aileen Delaney, 27, says her four-year doctorate degree was “very stressful” and her studies interrupted by the pandemic.
She wanted to make sure she celebrated her achievement – which she says is just as significant a milestone as having a baby or getting married.
Aileen decided to throw herself a huge party in January to celebrate completing her degree, and spent six months saving up £6k to splash out on it.
The “grand” party – which was on the scale of a wedding – was thrown in a stately home, with 130 guests invited, a band named 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, West Midlands, said: “As a woman, I should get to celebrate more than just getting married or having a baby.
“Sharing our achievements is so important.
“And it is ridiculous – I had 130 people come to this party.
“It was exactly what you’d do for a wedding.
“But the best part is – even if I do get married – I’m always going to be a doctor, not a ‘Mrs’.”
Aileen started her PhD in physics at the University of Leeds, West Yorkshire, in October 2019.
Just six months in, her studies were interrupted by the pandemic and she was forced to work entirely from home.
The degree course lasted four years in total and Aileen says she struggled at times.
“I found it really hard,” she said.
“I wrote my thesis alongside working full-time as a public engagement officer.
“I don’t think I’ve ever experienced so much stress.”
She wanted a celebration to mark the end of her studies but didn’t want a “standard night out.”
Alongside a new, full-time job paying £2.1k-a-month and thesis-writing, Aileen started 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 get a ‘well done’ and a dinner, maybe.
“I wanted to make the most of it.”
In January 2024, Aileen began looking for venues big enough to hold 130 of her friends and family members.
She wanted to find a space with a good bar and plenty of beer on tap.
In the end, she settled on paying £1900 to hire Highbury Hall in Birmingham from 4pm until 1am.
She also forked out £750 on hiring a Irish-style covers band, and rented an £880 designer dress for £88 on ByRotation.
“I didn’t really need that extra stress while writing my thesis,” Aileen said.
“I essentially threw myself a solo wedding.
“In the last month or so, I decided to hire a professional photographer.
“I didn’t want to rely on sh**ty iPhone pictures on the big day.
“I just wanted everything to be really bright and fun.”
Aileen also handmade decorations for the venue – including disco balls.
She added: “I decided to do a gift box of things people would really enjoy.
“People would get a welcome drink, and a homemade friendship bracelet.”
She handed her thesis in on June 10, and held her party on the 15th.
Friends and family came down from London, Leeds and all over Ireland.
They were even greeted by a wedding-style ‘order of service’ sign – including welcome drinks at 4pm, band beginning at 9pm and evening snacks at 10pm.
“I felt like I could fully relax, for the first time in a while,” she said.
“We danced the night away – it was incredible.”
“Everyone really enjoyed it, and they loved getting dressed up as if they were going to a wedding.
“The dress code was ‘out dress me’.”
Aileen feels like she might do something different for her future wedding – because she’s already had the big party.
Aileen has decided against having a big party if she eventually gets married – and says she’s “already done it”.
She said: “Lots of girls are taught to plan their weddings from when they’re kids.
“Coming from a big family, it was always expected.
“But if I ever do 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 –
PRICESVenue – £1,900
Welcome drinks – £450
Band – £750
Food – £1,200
Evening food – £200
Dress – £88
Photographer – £750
Decor – £400
Makeup – £50
Giftboxes – £50 each
Homemade T-shirts – £100
Fake four-tier ‘wedding style cake’ – £100
