Graduation party ideas in San Antonio
For high school and college grads: when to host so people can actually come, themes and displays that tell the grad’s story, food for an open house crowd, and a favor guests keep.
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The short version: pick your date early, because every grad in town is partying the same few weekends. Make it an open house so guests can come and go, tell the grad’s story with photos and their school colors, and give guests something to do besides sign the card.
When to host
Check the ceremony date first. Most San Antonio area high schools and colleges graduate between mid-May and early June. Host the same weekend if family is coming in from out of town, or a week or two later if you want the grad’s friends to be free.
Go with an open house. A 3 or 4 hour window (say 2 to 6 PM) lets guests stop by between other grad parties. Put the hours on the invitation.
Team up. Joint parties with two or three friends from the same class are getting popular. Split the venue, food and rentals, and everyone’s friends are in one place.
Book rentals early. Tents, tables, DJs and photo booths go fast in late May and early June. Locking things in by March takes the stress out.
Themes and decor
School colors. The easiest theme there is. Balloons, tablecloths, cups and the photo prints all in the grad’s high school or college colors.
Where they’re headed. Decorate in the colors of the college, trade school, military branch or job they’re heading to next. Guests love finding out.
Then and now. Baby pictures next to senior pictures, a first-day-of-school photo next to graduation day. Simple and it always gets a reaction.
Fiesta or backyard barbecue. San Antonio summer classics. String lights, a taco bar or brisket, and a cooler of aguas frescas.
Displays that tell their story
A memory table. Their cap and gown, jerseys, awards, yearbooks, art projects or band uniform, with photos from each year.
An advice station. Cards that say “Advice for the grad” or “Where I see you in 10 years.” The grad reads them later, and it gives quieter guests something to do.
A money tree or card box. A decorated box near the entrance keeps cards and gifts in one place.
Food for an open house crowd
Open houses work best with food that can sit out for a few hours: a taco or fajita bar, sliders, a nacho bar, or barbecue by the pound. Since people come and go, you won’t need a full meal for every guest at once. A common rule of thumb is to plan for about two thirds of the guest list. A sheet cake in school colors plus cookies or cupcakes covers dessert.
A favor guests keep
Grad parties are full of people who haven’t all been in a room together for years: grandparents, coaches, teachers, friends from every stage. A photo booth gets them into the same picture, and with prints, each group takes home a 4×6 with the grad’s name, school and year on it. The grad gets every photo in an online gallery too.
What a photo booth costs for a grad party
A staffed photo booth in San Antonio often runs $600 or more for 4 hours, which is tight for an open house. With Mr. Booth, you rent the booth itself for a full 24 hours from $249. You pick it up near 211 & Potranco, set it up in about 15 minutes with our step-by-step video, and guests just tap the screen. Plan on two people for setup, since lifting the booth onto its stand is a two-person job. It needs about a 10×10 foot spot and one outlet, indoors or under a covered patio or tent.
Essentials
$249Digital only. Guests get their photos by text, email or QR code.
Plus
$349Adds a photo printer and 150 4×6 class-of prints. The prints are the favor.
Elite
$429Everything in Plus, with a sequin backdrop, themed props and a draped table.
Every package includes a class-of print design with the grad’s name, school and colors, and an online gallery with every photo. A $100 deposit holds your date and goes toward your total. Late May and June weekends go first.
Build your booth
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Grad parties, answered
When should you have a graduation party?
Most San Antonio area graduations happen between mid-May and early June. Host the same weekend if family is traveling in, or a week or two later so the grad’s friends aren’t at other parties. Book rentals by March.
How long should a graduation open house be?
Three to four hours is typical, for example 2 to 6 PM. Guests come and go, so plan food that can sit out. A common rule of thumb is to plan food for about two thirds of the guest list.
What do you do at a graduation party?
Most grad parties have a memory table with photos and awards, an advice card station, food, music and an activity such as yard games or a photo booth.
How much does a photo booth cost for a graduation party?
Staffed booths often run $600 or more for 4 hours. A Mr. Booth DIY rental is $249 for 24 hours (digital), $349 with 150 prints, or $429 with prints, a backdrop and props.
Do you deliver and set up?
No. You pick the booth up near 211 & Potranco on the west side and set it up yourself in about 15 minutes with our video. That is how we keep it at $249 for a full day.
See real class-of prints on our graduation photo booth page, or more ideas in birthday party ideas.