MENU

Graduation Season Tips for Parents: Dos, Don’ts, and a Helpful Timeline

Friday, January 24, 2025 | By: Mette McConnell Photography

Graduation season is fast approaching, bringing a whirlwind of excitement, planning, and unforgettable moments for your high school senior. As both a photographer and a parent, I understand how overwhelming this time can feel. That’s why I’ve put together some helpful tips, a timeline to keep you organized, and most importantly, a reminder to savor every special moment with your senior.

Celebrate with Cap and Gown Photos

One of the most cherished keepsakes from this season is a beautiful cap and gown portrait of your senior. These photos capture the pride and excitement of their accomplishments and make the perfect addition to graduation announcements and invitations. They’re also a wonderful way to commemorate this milestone in a way that feels personal and timeless.

When to schedule: I recommend booking your cap and gown session in early April, before the rush of May events. This allows you to relax knowing the photos will be ready in time for announcements, invitations, and any other keepsakes you’d like to create.

Grad Invitations vs. Announcements

It’s easy to confuse graduation invitations with announcements, but each serves a unique purpose that adds to the celebration. Invitations are sent to those you’d like to attend the graduation ceremony or celebration, while announcements share the exciting news with extended family and friends who may not attend. Both are important ways to involve loved ones in this milestone.

When to order: To avoid last-minute stress, order both invitations and announcements by mid-April. This gives you enough time to customize them, receive the printed materials, and mail them out without feeling rushed.

Mailing Timeline for Graduation Invitations

Timing is everything when it comes to sending graduation invitations and announcements. To ensure your loved ones have plenty of notice, send out graduation invitations at least three weeks before the ceremony. Announcements, on the other hand, can be sent closer to the graduation date or even afterward, as a way to share the joy with those who couldn’t attend.

Key dates for Texas graduations: Since Texas graduations typically fall in the third week of May, aim to order invitations and announcements by mid-April. Plan to mail graduation invitations by early May, leaving plenty of time for guests to RSVP and make arrangements. Announcements can be sent any time between the ceremony and the end of June, giving you flexibility to share the moment at your own pace.

Enjoy the Moment

It’s easy to get caught up in the to-do lists, but don’t forget to pause and cherish this special time with your senior. Celebrate the little things, like their excitement over picking out their cap and gown or their pride in finishing final projects. Plan a family dinner, attend senior events, and make time for those meaningful conversations that you’ll treasure for years to come.

If you’d like to schedule a cap and gown session or need advice on creating a timeline for your senior’s portraits, feel free to reach out. Let’s work together to make this graduation season unforgettable for both you and your senior!

Senior Session Information
Book Your Information Session

Leave a comment

Leave this field empty
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Submit

0 Comments

Previous Post Next Post

Archive

2025 Jan Feb Mar May
2024 Jun Jul Dec
2022 Jan
2020 Feb Apr Jul
2019 Aug Oct
CLOSE