Photo Graduation Party Invitations And Ideas

You’ve turned in all your assignments and finished your exams, and now, it’s time to walk across the stage and get your diploma. Graduating is a huge accomplishment, and there’s no better way to celebrate than with a grad party. If you’re wondering how to plan a grad party, one of the first things you’ll want to do is send out your invitations. Graduation invitations are the perfect way to let your family and friends know about your celebration. Read on for ideas and tips on creating photo graduation invites in 2023, as these are the best way to showcase your graduating senior’s personality and style.


Photo Graduation Party Invite Ideas

Ready to begin putting together your photo graduation party invitations? First, spend some time deciding on your theme. You can go for invites that feature a classic illustration of a tassel or a cap and gown, or you can choose an invite that has a bright silver or gold confetti background. Look for invites with a theme that fits your style.

Modern photo graduation invitation example

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For the colors, consider using the colors of your alma mater or your new college if you’re graduating high school. When you’re choosing a font, make sure that it contrasts well with your background color. That way, your guests will be able to easily see all your party details. Picking an invitation with a unique color scheme and theme will help your invite stand out from the crowd. If you’d like to add another personal touch, try using graduation stationery or gifts featuring a monogram.

Here are some ideas for choosing photos for your invites. These tips will help you with everything from deciding when to take your photos to the number of photos you’ll include.

When to Book Photoshoot

If you’re having a professional photoshoot for your grad photos, try to book the shoot about two to three months before graduation. This will give you plenty of time to get the photo prints back and choose the right ones for your invites.

Use a Mixture of Formal and Candid Photos

Consider including a mixture of formal and candid photos. Include both photos of you in your cap and gown, and also some photos where you’re wearing one of your favorite outfits.

Include Your Hobbies

Get creative with your grad invitation photos, and try including some of your favorite hobbies. For instance, if you play soccer, you could wear your uniform and hold a soccer ball in one of your photos.

Have Fun With Your Grad Photos

Have fun while you’re taking your graduation photos—laugh, smile, and jump around. Graduating is a huge achievement, and so feel free to show your excitement in your pictures.

Head Outdoors

Arched photo graduation invitation example

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Try heading outdoors for your grad photos. If you live near a beach, take some photos in the sand. Or, you could use a nearby field or forest as your background.

Include Childhood Photos

Consider pairing your grad photos with photos of you growing up. For example, you could include photos of you graduating from kindergarten and middle school.

Take Extra Photos

Take lots of photos during your photoshoot so you have plenty of choices. You can also use these photos in your invites, graduation announcements, graduation photo book, and on graduation gifts.

Two girl graduates smiling and hugging


When To Send Out Graduation Party Invitations

Your photos are all finished, and now, you’re ready to begin adding your party details to your invites. There are a few details you’ll want to include on your graduation invitations to ensure that your party goes off without a hitch.

Girl graduate smiling with green cap Here’s everything you need to know about when to send your invites and what to include on the grad cards:

  1. Send out your invitations about four to six weeks before the party. This will give guests plenty of time to RSVP. Plus, if guests are traveling in for the party, they’ll have time to put together their travel arrangements.
  2. Include all of the details about your party on the invite. This includes the date and time of the party, the location and address and the RSVP details. You can also consider including a graduation quote.
  3. Include an RSVP reply card with your invitations. Or, you can ask your guests to reply by phone or email. If you choose to have your guests RSVP by reply card, include a return address. Let your guests know what date they should RSVP by, and let them know if they should RSVP to the grad’s parents or the grad themselves.
  4. Include your graduation year and your high school or college name on the invite. If you’re celebrating college graduation, it’s also traditional to include your degree.
  5. Account for guests who can’t attend. If a guest can’t attend, they may still want to send a DIY graduation gift, a card, or a personalized gift. Because of that, be sure to include your return address on the invite. If a loved one does send a graduation gift, make sure to send them a thank you card after the party.

Graduation Party Invitation Wording

The final step to putting together your graduation invitations is deciding on your wording. Try to choose a phrase or message that fits the theme of your party. If you’re having a formal party, you’ll want to use more formal wording. Or, if you’re having a backyard barbeque, you might choose to use more casual wording.

Example ideas for photo graduation party invitations

Browse all graduation invitation designs from Shutterfly.


To help you get started, here are some wording ideas:

  • He/she did it! We’re so proud to announce that [name] has graduated. Please join us at [location] to celebrate his/her achievements.
  • The tassel was worth the hassle! We’re hosting a graduation party to celebrate our son/daughter’s achievements.
  • All the hard work has paid off—[name] is graduating! To celebrate, we’re hosting a party, and we’d love to have you there.
  • Our beloved son/daughter has graduated, and we’d love for you to join us at a party in their honor.
  • [Name] threw their cap in the air, and now, we’re throwing a party to celebrate!
  • School’s out forever, and now, it’s time to party! Put your pencils down and join us at [name’s] graduation party.
  • Before [name] goes off on their next adventure, we’re throwing a party in their honor.
  • After countless papers, exams, and all-nighters, our son/daughter is graduating from college! Come commemorate this milestone with us.
  • [Name] has graduated and we’re so glad, now lets all toast the grad!
Your grad party invitations are all finished, and now you’re ready to send them out and start planning your party. After your party, don’t forget to send thank you cards to thank your guests for coming to your party. Be sure to customize the cards and thank them for any DIY graduation gifts they gave you.

Final Thoughts on Graduation Party Invitations

Whether you’re wondering how to choose photos for your invites, when to send out your invites or how to word your invites, there are tips here for you. In no time, you’ll be finished with your invites, and you’ll be able to move on to putting together fun graduation party ideas.

Graduating is a big achievement, and every big achievement deserves a party. Check out graduation invitations and find the invites that perfectly fit your unique party. Once you’ve picked out your invitations, you can begin looking for graduation announcements and decorations for your fun party.