Graduation party planning is something you can start doing months in advance of the graduation party. Once you know that you want to host a high school or college graduation party, you can start thinking about possible event dates and begin to build your guest list. 

Here are the basics about what you need to know as you plan a graduation party:

One of the early items on your graduation party planning checklist is to build your guest list. The size of the guest list will inform the type of venue and activities that you have at the party. Typically, a graduation party guest list includes family and friends of the family. It also includes the graduate's friends and sometimes their families. Depending on how formal or informal you want your party, you can make a judgement call on whether or not to include young kids on the guest list.

Graduation season is a busy time of year so send online graduation invitations six weeks in advance to give guests plenty of notice of your party. Customize your favorite graduation invitation, deliver by text or email, and manage RSVPs online. 

High school graduation parties are typically more informal, while college graduation parties are somewhat more sophisticated. This is because of the age of the guest of honor. High school grads have different interests and tastes from college grads. Therefore, many high school graduation parties take place at someone's home or at a local restaurant. College graduation parties may also take place at someone's home, a restaurant, or even on a boat cruise or rented venue (like a hotel or country club). Here are a few more ideas on where to host a graduation party.

Graduation party planning is no different from any other type of party planning. That means that graduation party decorations will be an important component of your planning. You can make custom banners to hang at the party, include a photo sign in board for guests to write personal notes to the grad, and you can make graduation cap centerpieces for the tables. Flowers and balloons are classic party decorations that will help you transition your event space to a fun graduation party atmosphere. Check out these graduation party decorating ideas for more inspiration.

The food is always a big component to any party. Graduation party planning ideas for the menu include buffet style meals or potluck events. For an event like a graduation party, there probably won't be many activities that tie guests down to a table. To keep them up and socializing, serve a buffet meal. This helps to keep guest circulating and mingling with other guests which is always a good thing! Check out these graduation party finger foods for a few tasty recipes!

Additional ideas for graduation party planning include the graduation party cake and party favors for your guests. Work with a local bakery to make a fantastic cake for the party. Then, see if they can make some graduation cap sugar cookies for you to give to guests as the party favor. Decorate the top of the cookies in the grad's school colors. Treats always make the best favors — your guests will love them!