A Very Vintage Graduation Party
Hi! I hope you had a great weekend. Mine was filled with with family in town for my sweet daughter’s graduation and her very vintage graduation party.
When I began thinking about decorations, I decided to go vintage because my daughter loves vintage, just like her mother! She has collections of all kinds: cameras, pipes, and bells, just to name a few.
I had a lot of fun in the weeks leading up to the big event scouring Pinterest for ideas, and I found several that I thought were perfect for our occasion.
The Foyer
The foyer display began with the vintage suitcase, a Pinterest idea I saw repeated several times–perfect for cards and small gifts.
I added several vintage and antique alarm clocks to jazz things up, along with a simple paper bunting stamped with the word “cards.”
I’d been wanting to chalkboard paint a globe for a while, and this was the perfect opportunity. “Look out world” is the perfect sentiment for one going off to college.
I placed it on a couple of antique, leather-bound books to give it more height.
The clocks are an accidental collection that worked well with the theme of graduation and moving onto the next faze of life.
The leather-bound books are another of my accidental collections, but they come in very handy for “photo shoots,” and again, work perfectly with the party’s theme since Grace is going off to college in the fall.
The Kitchen
The chalkboard sign is based on one I saw on Pinterest designed by the Etsy seller kspeddler; she has wonderful signs for sale.
You can read about how I made the barn board chalkboard here. I made the photo bunting with photos of my girl through the years.
About a year ago I stained and stenciled an old bread board to create a photo display. It worked perfectly for the party to display more family pictures.
I bought this antique Corona typewriter several years ago for $3.00, fully expecting to sell it for $75-100.
But my daughter had other plans; she loves typing on it and every now and again will pull it out to type a funny note to a friend.
I’m so glad I didn’t sell it since it made the perfect centerpiece for the party.
Aren’t those keys wonderful? People use them, I know for various crafts, but it is in such good working order, the time has not yet come to use it for parts.
I scattered some of her senior portraits on the table near the typewriter so guests could take one if they liked.
I easily turned this vintage oak frame into a chalkboard by inserting a piece of chalkboard foam core–super easy, no paint involved. The pewter vase is a recent $2.00 find.
I filled it with peonies from my new bushes and their aroma filled the room.
I added an enlarged copy of a photo from her Junior-Senior Banquet. She is dead center wearing the black and silver gown.
I scattered a few more photos from the banquet below the chalkboard.
I wanted to stencil something fun for the drink tub and came up with “thirsty.” The jute webbing adds to the farmhouse flair.
The Deck
I filled up my planters before the party rather than waiting until the middle of the summer, as sometimes happens, lol.
We used my little red cooler to keep sodas and more waters cold on the deck. I posted about aging terra cotta pots, like the ones you see here (and in the previous photo) last year as well.
And here’s my beautiful girl, all ready for graduation. I loved that her party reflected an interest in vintage that we both share, and I thoroughly enjoyed all the vintage projects and preparations.
We shared a beautiful day together with family and close friends and are thankful to God for entrusting us with her and for giving us the grace to let her spread her wings and move onto the next chapter of her life.
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Wow, Diana! Gracie surely saw all the love and work you put into this special party occasion for her. Your details – use of collections, graphics and crafts – are outstanding. Congratulations, Gracie! Congratulations, mom and dad!
That means so much coming from you, Rita! Glad you liked the decorations 🙂 Thank you!!
Sounds like a lovely party! You’re so fortunate that your daughter likes the vintage look. Congrats!
It is a blessing to share a love of vintage with her, Cyndi 🙂 We did have a love day–
Wonderful ideas! So special that your daughter shares your love of vintage…my children definitely do not! But perhaps when they get older….one can only hope. Congrats to you and your daughter! 🙂
I’m glad you liked my ideas, Karen! I am definitely blessed by our mutual interest in vintage. Keep hoping for yours–it didn’t start til she was about 16 or so 🙂
Job well done to Gracie and her parents! Love the party décor.
Thanks so much for dropping by!
What great ideas! Congratulations!!
Thank you Lynda!!
That’s a beautifully done graduation party! Love all the vintage touches, especially the first display with the chalkboard globe & clocks in the suitcase. Your girl is beautiful too!
Oh, thank you so much Florence–so kind of you to say, about both the party and my pretty girl 🙂
It all turned out so beautiful Diana! Congrats to you and your daughter!
Tania
Thank you SO much Tania!!
What a wonderful celebration! Best wishes to the graduate.
Thank you Laura 🙂
Congrats Gracie! And you did a wonderful job decorating, Diana!
Thank you X2 Melissa!!
Congratulations to your lovely daughter, Diana! It’s wonderful that you both share the love for vintage items. You must have had fun decoratingfor the graduation party. Everything looks beautiful!
Thank you Julia–yes, it was great fun! So very sweet of you to let me know you liked the decorations 🙂
Oh Diana, Gracie’s Graduation Party is one that she will never forget. I love all the special touches you included based on your shared love of vintage. It is such an exciting time in Gracie’s life, enjoy every minute of it. Congrats to Gracie!
So sweet of you to say, Sharon 🙂 It was a lovely day, certainly one I will treasure–something to hold onto after she’s off to college–
Thank you for sharing!
Your daughter is a beauty!! You did a great job with the party décor! Love the globe!!
Thank you so much Jan!
Looks like it was a great party and well organized too. Congratulations to your graduate and to you, her parents.
Yes, it was, Marcia! Thank you 🙂
I’m sure you and your daughter are grateful enough to send thanks to people who gave graduation gifts. Unfortunately, my husband and I went to a graduation party of a friend’s child several years ago and gave a rather large money gift which was never acknowledged. We have since refused to attend the graduation parties of their other two children. Even an email “thanks” would have sufficed.
Yes, she’ll be sending out thank yous 🙂
Congratulations and may God bless and guide her as she takes the step into the “big world!” With parents and family like she has and with the Lord in her heart, I know she will do well. Really neat party ideas and how special she sees the beauty and fun of vintage items!
Thank you Karen for you kind and encouraging words–they mean so much! She is a blessing to us in so many ways 🙂
Congratulations to your daughter on her graduation. Pretty girl! What fun ideas you have for the party. . .I could see some of these working for other events, too.
Thanks so much Cynthia! Yes, how about for a going away party or start to the school year?
Congratulations to Gracie on her graduation! And to you, too, Diana, for putting together such a creative, vintage party! Gracie is beautiful with her dark eyes and long, dark hair. Her smile is genuine and she looks so happy.
A real milestone has been reached, not only by Gracie, but by you and her daddy, too. Will she be going off to college? If so, that will be a big change for you two, won’t it? Sigh! They grow up so fast! My oldest is now forty and has two little boys of her own and my youngest is thirty-three with 6-yr.-old twin boys. I ask myself how this is possible, and then I look in the mirror! Oh, yeah, I see the years there!
Blessings on you and your family, Diana, at this special time and beyond.
Thank you, Naomi! Yes, she’s going off to college; we are very blessed that she’ll be just an hour and a half away–good for her independence, but near enough to see her now and again 🙂 She is SO looking forward to it and we have spent the last year (all of us) preparing in various ways–physically, emotionally, and spiritually, but I suspect things will get emotional at times. Sounds like you and your family have been blessed in many ways–your quiver is certainly full! Thanks for chatting–
Congrats to Gracie on her graduation! She is so lucky to have parents like you. Your vintage decor ideas were fabulous.I especially liked all the family pictures; I am sure everyone enjoyed reminiscing over them. I am, though, surprised that you didn’t show off the refreshments as I expect you dolled them up nicely, too. I love any excuse to use pretty dishes for serving! I bet you got a lot of compliments on the decor and collections in your house, too; I have enjoyed the tours you have given us. Take a deep breath and relax; it’s all over but eating up the leftovers!
Thank you, Kathy, you are very kind! I didn’t go over board with the food presentation–it was a BBQ after all, but I did use my Port Meirion serving pieces and an assortment of vintage dinner plates, including my recent Royal China ones with the big brown daisies on them. I absolutely took some time to relax after it was all over and we thoroughly enjoyed leftovers for the following week; it was lovely 🙂
Oh my gosh she looks like you, Diana! And have I ever told you how much I love her name? Her party sounds like a vintage-lover’s dream come true:) Kudos for all your cool vintage touches. My oldest will be graduating next year, followed in rapid succession by her sister and brother. Lord help us:) Thanks for sharing your special occasion with us. xo Kathleen|Our Hopeful Home
People often say that, Kathleen, though funnily enough, I don’t really see it, other than the obvious–dark hair and glasses 🙂 Thank you for your kind words and compliments–it means so much. Maybe you can use some of my ideas for next year’s graduation party?!
…a special celebration.
Yes, it was, Tom–thanks for stopping by 🙂
Diana, you really outdid yourself! Every detail is charming! Isn’t it fun when our kids appreciate the same things we do? My son chose a vintage theme for his graduation party 5 years ago too 😉
Oh my goodness….I adore everything you did! The picture I enjoyed the most was the last one of Grace in her gown….Such a pretty girl…so genuine…so at peace…so happy and so pure looking. Wonderful, wonderful!
Oh you are too kind! You put a big smile on my face today 🙂
Wonderful —-love your personalities showing in these great decorations…and the photos—sprinkled. We take all those first day of school pics and then no one ever sees them. And congrats to Grace, maybe the world spin just for you!, Sandi
Thanks for all of the sweet comments, Sandi 🙂 You’re a blessing!
You did such a beautiful job decorating for the grad party, Diana. I just love your eye for creating beautiful vintage vignettes. Your photography is gorgeous too. Congratulations to your daughter, who looks so much like you by the way!
Thank you, Marie! Your comments are SO encouraging and mean a lot 🙂
I love all of it!! And that vignette with the globe, clocks & suitcase-swoon! I’m still anticipating finding a $3 typewriter…someday. Congrats to your daughter! Hope she loves college & her major choice!
So glad you liked everything, Lora–we were DIYers with a mission this spring–your party looked equally lovely and wonderfully vintage 🙂
Loved it. I did a vintage theme for my son as well, but incorporated a bunch of maps of places he had been during his college years. Got them free at AAA office. Made a bunting with map paper and printed up letters and cut out that said “Let the Adventure Begin” and glued them on map squares I’d cut out and hung with twine. Also used a vintage suitcase and globes to decorate the food table. Used mason jars for utensils and had a Hot Dog Bar with plastic baskets and checkered napkins for liners. Was able to find vintage bottled sodas at World Market to finish off the look. I also used the framed chalkboard idea, made one for my sons wedding rehearsal dinner, so just changed the wording and got to use it again. He is also fond of vintage items so fun to have the chance to celebrate his love of old things and his love of travel.
Loved your photos and pinned it for future reference. I want to do the chalkboard globe as well, but mine was too nice, will have to keep an eye out for a thrift store one to chalkboard.
Congratulations to your graduate! And I love your decor! Banners are my weakness. I also love the burlap tag you made for the galvanized tub. I have a bridal shower coming up next weekend and I was going to use the tub to hold the champagne bottle party favors. I was looking for a way to dress my own tub and I think I just found it!! Thanks so much!
I just love everything about this! 🙂 Congratulations to your graduate!
Thank you so much for sharing this at the Farmhouse Friday link party! Pinned and shared! 🙂