Really, what grad student isn’t on cloud nine!! This theme is everything whimsical, joyous and bright and paired perfectly for a day full of promise for the future! It warmed the very cockles of Miss Party’s heart to see it come together so perfectly, and it was especially spot on for a bubbly high school senior that loves Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, tie-dye colors, and DP’s (dance parties) with her friends!
Miss Party wouldn’t hesitate to use this theme for a child or teen’s birthday, too. It was particularly fun to play up that child-like whimsy for older teens and adults, who all got to be kids-at-heart for an afternoon! With a little tweaking you could make it an ‘Over the Rainbow’ theme; ‘Under the Big Top’ whimsical circus theme; a fantasy theme; or make it a 60s folk festival!
There is so much eye candy in this party to devour, Miss Party will have to split this theme into several posts, this first gives you a good sense of the theme on set up morning and the invitations. See DIY tutorial posts on the curly ribbon centerpieces, crazy cute tablecloth toppers, and some tips to putting together candy buffets, all under DIY Party Projects or Party Planning Tidbits. Enjoy the party and come back for seconds!!
Now that you have a sense of the theme, here are some details about the outline of the party:
Invites went out 5 weeks ahead for 140-150. May and June is an extremely busy time everywhere, but for graduating teens and their families, it gets ridiculously busy. RSVP’s for this party came in around 125, which on a ‘hot’ grad party date was great, but could go plus or minus by 30%, depending on other conflicts. Lots of partygoers come late or leave early due to conflicts with other celebrations. Some teens have as many as a dozen other parties to hop to! With that much hoppin’ going on (and friendly competition), if a grad wants her party to be well-attended, it’s gotta stand out and be a hoppin’ good time! See Miss Party’s Secrets to Planning the BEST EVER High School Graduation Party.
A graduation party is longer than a typical party, usually 4-5 hours and more of an open house style. This party began at 1:00pm; a simple, teen-friendly lunch buffet and a wine/beer/soda open bar was available at the start; swimming, badminton, yearbook signing and bubble blowing activities were open the entire afternoon to enjoy. Around 2:30pm, the band began to play and the dancers kicked up their heels in the sunshine; the lunch buffet was reduced to finger foods; Ben and Jerry’s catered an ice cream sundae bar (serious yumminess!). At 4:30pm, the band finished; party began to wind down slowly. By 5:30pm all the partygoers had drifted away on the clouds!
The next post, Part 2, will have pics taken during the party. Post your comments or similar ideas you have in mind!
