Planning a graduation is exciting, but writing the invitation can be stressful. What do you actually say? How do you keep it polite but personal? Whether you’re inviting people to a commencement ceremony or hosting a backyard party, the right wording makes all the difference. And since invitations are often the first step in event planning, they set the tone for the entire celebration.
This guide breaks down each line of the invitation, offers etiquette-safe examples, and gives you a copy-paste template you can personalize. You’ll also find RSVP shortcuts to manage replies easily. Whether your commencement is from high school, college, or grad school, you’ll leave with clear steps and wording you can be confident in.
Graduation invitation wording, line by line
When in doubt, keep your invite straightforward: who, what, when, where, and how to RSVP. Here’s how to nail each part.
Start here:
Before you write, take the following essential steps:
- Gather the graduate’s name, degree or program, and school.
- Decide: Are you inviting people to the ceremony or a party, or are you sending only an announcement (or all three)?
- Confirm ticket limits or guest scope.
- Lock in the date, time, and location.
- Choose the RSVP method (link, QR code, phone, or email) and deadline.
- Use the following core template, and customize line by line.
Each of these decisions ensures no detail is forgotten.
💡 Did you know?
You can streamline your invite and RSVP process with free Jotform tools:
- Graduation RSVP Tool: Generate a tap-to-RSVP link or QR code in minutes.
- Graduation Ceremony RSVP Form: Collect responses neatly on one page.
- Graduation Ceremony Invitation Form: Send digital invites with a built-in RSVP field.
Core template
Please join us to celebrate the graduation of
[Graduate’s full name], [Degree or program (optional)]
[Month day, year] at [Time]
[Venue], [Address], [City, State]
Hosted by [Host’s name]
[Guest scope or ticket note if needed: “Tickets limited: Two seats per family” or “Open house 2–6 p.m.”]
Kindly RSVP by [Date] to [URL, QR code,or contact information]
[Attire or special notes about parking, campus entry, cap & gown photo time (optional)]
The host/honoree line
Who’s doing the inviting: the parents, the graduate, or both?
- Parents hosting (formal): “Mr. and Mrs. Ramirez invite you to celebrate the graduation of their daughter, Elena Ramirez.”
- Graduate hosting (casual): “Join me as I celebrate my graduation!”
- Joint invite: “Together with their families, Emma Davis and Tyler Brooks invite you …”
Always keep the honoree’s name prominent. Adding the degree is optional but useful for college or grad school commencements.
Event name/occasion
Be clear about what the invitation covers:
- Ceremony only: “Please join us for the commencement ceremony.”
- Graduation party: “Graduation party following the ceremony.”
- Announcement (no event): “We are proud to announce the graduation of …”
- Open house: “Drop in anytime between 2 and 6 p.m.”
This is where you’ll distinguish whether folks are being invited to an event or just being notified via a graduation announcement.
Date & time
For formal invites, spell everything out. For casual events, numerals are fine.
- Formal: “Saturday, the twenty-fourth of May, two o’clock in the afternoon.”
- Casual: “Saturday, May 24 • 2 p.m.”
- Two events: “Commencement 2 p.m. • Reception 4:30 p.m.” (Tell guests if they’re expected at one or both events.)
Location/format
Always include the venue, city, and state. If it’s less obvious (a private home, park, or hall), list the street address.
- Campus: “Harper Hall, State University, Athens, Georgia.”
- Home: “The Ramirez residence, 123 Oak Street, Denver, CO.”
- Virtual: “Join us on Zoom. Link provided after RSVP.”
If campus entry requires passes, tell guests where to find them (e.g., the details page, RSVP form).
Guest scope/ticket limits
Ceremony seating is usually limited, but you can word it kindly:
- “Commencement seating is limited to two tickets per family. All are welcome at the open house, 4–7 p.m.”
- “Tickets are limited. Please confirm which guests will attend.”
- “Open house, no ticket required.”
Gracious wording prevents awkwardness while keeping everyone included.
RSVP method & deadline
A clear RSVP is key for managing food, seating, and logistics.
- Digital RSVP (best): “Please RSVP by May 10 at [short URL or QR code on invite].”
- Phone or email: “Kindly RSVP to Maria at 555-123-4567 or [email].”
Digital tools prevent lost messages. Want a refresher on etiquette? Here’s what “RSVP” means.
Make graduation invites easy with Jotform
Once you’ve drafted your invite or announcement, it’s time to deliver it in a way that’s simple for you and effortless for your guests. That’s where Jotform comes in.
With Jotform, your invitations aren’t just text based. You can create polished, interactive invitations and RSVP systems in minutes using the following apps:
- Graduation RSVP Tool: Generate a tap-to-RSVP link or QR code. Guests can respond instantly on any device.
- Graduation Ceremony RSVP Form: Collect responses neatly in one place. See the guest list update in real time, and avoid juggling texts or emails.
- Graduation Ceremony Invitation Form: Send a complete digital invite with all event details and a built-in RSVP field.
Because Jotform integrates with Google Sheets, Outlook, Gmail, and even payment processors, you can manage the head count, send reminders, and even accept contributions toward the party without leaving your dashboard. Plus, all forms are fully customizable. Change their colors, add a graduation photo, or drop in your school logo to keep the invite personal.
Why use Jotform for graduation invites?
- Start with no design skills: Begin with a form template.
- Share anywhere: Send via email, text message, or social media, or embed it on a website.
- Track RSVPs automatically: Export the list or sync it to a spreadsheet.
- Help the environment: Keep it eco-friendly with paperless invites.
While you focus on the celebration, Jotform takes care of the logistics. With your draft ready and Jotform’s digital tools at hand, you’ll save time and keep your guests informed.
Your next step: Send with confidence
Graduation is a milestone worth celebrating, and your invitation should capture that excitement without adding stress. By following this guide, you can create graduation invitations that are clear, thoughtful, and tailored to your event. Copy the template, adjust the lines that matter most, and make the RSVP process seamless with Jotform’s easy-to-use tools.
With Jotform, you can send digital invitations, track responses in real time, and even embed RSVP forms on your website or share them with a simple link or QR code. No more chasing down emails or counting text replies. Everything stays organized in one place. Plus, customizable templates let you add school colors, personal photos, or special notes, so your invitation feels as unique as the graduate you’re celebrating.
When the planning runs smoothly, you can focus on what matters most: gathering friends and family, honoring your graduate’s achievement, and creating a day that feels unforgettable.
This article is for the graduates and families (high school, college, post-grad), plus hosts planning a ceremony invite, a party invite—or both—who want clear, etiquette-safe copy.
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