Graduate throws huge, £6k "solo wedding" after finishing her PhD
- 2 days ago
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.
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.