Let everyone know that you’re about to graduate. We’ve put together some guidelines to help you when sending your graduation announcements:

• Include your name card with your announcement. Depending on your school, also include a ticket to your graduation ceremony.
• Some seniors include a senior picture, tucked behind the name card.
• The inner envelope holds the announcement. You can address this informally, such as "Grandma" or "Uncle John"
• If you are hosting a graduation party, consider inserting your party invitation and open house card into the announcement. You can also mail them separately.
• Formally address the mailing envelope by hand. Use titles like "Ms." or "Dr." Spell out words completely, rather than using abbreviations, like "Street" rather than "St."
• Slip the announcement, fold first and face up, into the small inner envelope. Do not lick or tuck in the inner envelope flap.
• Slip the inner envelope into the mailing envelope, so that both flaps face the same way.
• Write your return address on the envelope flap or use pre-printed return address labels. Out-of-town friends and family might use this to send cards and gifts.
• If you’re sending some announcements just to spread the news and want to eliminate any obligation for gift giving, write "No gifts please" at the bottom of the announcement.
• Mail your announcement via first class mail. They should arrive at least two weeks prior to graduation day.

• Address correspondence to a woman who keeps her maiden name as “Ms. Mary Smith.” If Mary Smith uses her married name, she should be addressed as “Mrs. John Doe.”
• Some married couples join their last names with a hyphen. Customarily, the woman’s name comes first, so correspondence is address to “Mr. and Mrs. John Smith-Doe.”
• When a woman’s husband dies, she usually does not change her name and therefore continues to be “Mrs. Adam White,” (“Mrs. Jane White” would indicate that she’s divorced).
• “Ms.” is a term that applies to a single or married woman. So when in doubt, Ms. is always appropriate.

• Name Cards are the socially correct way to personalize your announcements. You’ll need one for each announcement.
• Spell out your entire name. If you’re a junior, the card can say "Jr." or "Junior." If you’re a second, use "2nd" or "II."  You may also use "Ms." "Mr." or "Miss".