Senior Grad Prep Guide
The last few months of your high school career are here. There's a LOT going on.... you have parties to plan (and attend), prom prep, spring break plans, summer bucket lists to create and so much more. This grad prep guide is here to help you make the most of the graduation festivities while making sure you don't forget a single thing.
Cards: Announcements / Invitations
While digital cards are quick, printed cards are a TREAT to receive in the mail and a great way to share printed senior portraits with friends and family who are far away.
- Use a site like POSTABLE to gather addresses (start by March)
- Make designs easy with a custom Card Suite from SJP (contact to get yours)
- Include a small Venmo QR code to make cash graduation gifts easy!
WHEN: March/April
Party Plans .....
A bit of party planning is required before you order invitations, of course. You'll need to know WHERE & WHEN the party will be. Keep in mind graduation weekend and the weekend BEFORE are often packed with parties. This can hinder other's ability to attend your party if theirs or others are happening at the same time. A new trend we saw in 2023 was post-graduation summer parties. June/July parties can allow for more friends (and even out of town family) to attend and give you the chance to host a uniquely themed party like a pool party. It also pushes a lot of the last minute planning on your end to after graduation time allowing you to be present and enjoy grad time.
Signature Mat & Magazine
There are a lot of people (friends, family, teachers) who have been a part of your 18 year journey to graduation. Our signature mats and magazines give them a place to wish you well, provide some parting words of advice and send their love with you to the next chapters. All in a stunning piece of art featuring your favorite senior portraits.
We suggest a classic black and white image in your mat and up to 24 favorite images in your magazine. SHOP these and all grad products now.
WHEN: APRIL
Cap & Gown Portraits
Cap, gown, tassel, college shirt ... grab it all and let's celebrate with a FREE cap & gown session. These 5 minute in-studio sessions are quick but give us a variety of images for you to choose from so you know you love your final graduation portrait.
ILLINOIS sessions available for online reservation here. MISSOURI sessions email for availability.
WHEN: may
Banners & Signs
Hey parents... you're proud. Like REALLY REALLY proud right?!?! We know, and banners and signs are how we scream that proud OUT LOUD. Yard signs are a great way to celebrate your grad leading up to graduation (grandparents LOVE to do this too). Plus, a series of yard signs can help direct guests to your party with banners being the perfect bold decoration!
Browse designs HERE, but remember we can custom design for you! Consider including some baby/child images for a 'how it started, how it's going' design. Order signs in sets of 4 or 8 for the best deal.
WHEN: may
Thank you Cards
We know it's good etiquette to send thank you cards, but designing, writing and sending them can often get overlooked in the busy days post-graduation. Let us custom-design a card that can even include your own thank you message to streamline the process and give your friends and family a beautiful heartfelt thank you for their graduation gift and their years of support and love.
Thank you designs are available in your personal Card Suite just like grad cards too (request yours here).
WHEN: may / June
Final Family Portrait
Last, but certainly not least... your family is about to shift a bit. While they'll always be your babies, these kids are about to not be children anymore and we think the best way to commemorate this shift is one last family portrait with what we call the OG family. Up next they'll be additions like husbands and wives and babies, but first it's time to close the chapter together with a beautiful family portrait.
Of course, our senior graduates get this family session 100% free as our gift to you. But you only have through this summer to get that scheduled. IL sessions can be scheduled directly HERE (MO seniors email us to schedule).
WHEN: NOW - August
check out southern living's article for more on graduation ETIQUETTE (INCLUDING grad gift tips)!
