Do you know the difference between graduation announcements and graduation invitations? Both are popular for seniors but there is a difference.  Let’s talk about etiquette when it comes to grad cards.

Invitations

An invitation is sent specifically to invite someone to something such as your graduation ceremony or a graduation party. Sometimes high schools limit the number of people each senior can invite to the actual graduation ceremony — especially with COVID being an issue. If this is the case, be sure to explain the situation to your close family and friends. They’ll understand.

This is where a party can be so much fun.  Having a party to celebrate your graduation will allow you to invite whomever you want and those that may not have been able to attend the actual ceremony. Graduation parties can be held on the day of graduation or in the days after the actual ceremony.

Invitations should be sent out at least 3-4 weeks before the event. This gives people plenty of notice so they can make sure to put it on their calendar and be able to attend the event. If you have relatives or friends that live far out of town where they would need to make travel arrangements, be sure to send their invitations out 4-6 weeks before the event.

Be sure to include your name, a photo or photos of you, time, date, location, RSVP, or Regrets with where to send those.

Announcements

A graduation announcement is sent to let people know of your accomplishment! Graduation is such an important milestone and people who know you will want to acknowledge your hard work! And let’s face it, mom and dad will be so excited to share this news! A graduation announcement is sent for the following reasons:

• To Share The News – Friends, family, relatives, and anyone who helped or supported you through the years will be excited to know and feel special that you included them. To Say Thank You – A graduation announcement can be a way of thanking those that have been in your life and watched you grow.
• To Keep Up With Tradition – It is a long-standing tradition to announce your graduation and is most likely the first big announcement style correspondence you will send out.
• To Network – Never turn away a chance to network because you never know who can offer an opportunity.
• To Create a Keepsake – A graduation invitation with your photo will be a keepsake for those that receive it as well as you and your parents. Display it on the fridge, keep it in a photo album and look back on it to remember this special time in your life.

So what do you include on the actual graduation announcement?

Your Full Name Graduation Year
Name of High School Future Plans (optional)
A photo or photos of you

Graduation announcements should be sent to family members, extended relatives, friends, teachers, classmates, and anyone who would be happy to celebrate this accomplishment with you.

Graduation announcements do not typically invite someone to an event. Therefore, you have a wider timeframe to send them out. It is acceptable to send out graduation announcements anywhere between two weeks before the date of graduation to up to four weeks after the graduation ceremony.

Whether you send out invitations or announcements or both, remember this is an accomplishment that should be celebrated. Those on your list will be excited and honored to celebrate with you!

If you need to order graduation announcements or invitations, please let me know! I have many designs to choose from as well as custom creations just for you!