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Looking for the best backyard graduation party ideas? Here is everything you need to plan the best outdoor graduation party ever!
Credit: @poshpartybebes
I was so stressed out about what I was going to do for my high school graduation party. I had about a million grad party decorations saved on Pinterest, and a rough guest list put together, but I had no idea where I would have the party or how it would all come together.
Then it occurred to me, what better place to have my graduation party than my backyard. I searched for all of the backyard graduation party ideas and ended up planning the best grad party ever! Lucky for you, I now know what works, and what doesn't, and I am going to share it all with you.
This post is all about backyard graduation party ideas.
PLANNING YOUR BACKYARD GRADUATION PARTY
FIRST:
- Decide if you will be having a joint party with a friend
- Set a budget for the party
- Make a guest list
- Choose a graduation party theme or color scheme
NEXT:
- Begin ordering and making the decorations for your party
- Create a menu and make a shopping list or schedule catering
- Order your graduation party invitations and/or graduation announcements
- Print photos for decor
FOR THE COMPLETE TIMELINE, DOWNLOAD THE BSL GRAD PARTY PLANNING TIMELINE HERE:
GRADUATION PARTY PLANNING TIMELINE
This graduation party planning timeline will make sure that you are getting everything done for a party you'll always remember.
BACKYARD GRADUATION PARTY IDEAS: THEMES
1. Future College Themed Graduation Party
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I have spent forever looking for graduation party ideas 2024 graduates will like, and the most common theme is the high school grad's future college. This is super easy to do, and there are usually graduation party decorations with the college logos and colors available online!
2. Fiesta Themed Graduation Party
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I am obsessed with the idea of having a fiesta-themed graduation party! There are so many cute decorations for this theme, and the graduation party food is the best (who doesn't love Mexican food?)! I was so tempted to have this theme for my graduation party.
2. Rose Gold Graduation Party Color Scheme
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Having a rose gold graduation party color scheme is super pretty and easy! This is one of the best graduation party ideas for daughter because it is just so girly and cute. Grab some of the table runners from Amazon, some rose gold balloons, and get a rose gold sequined dress to wear at the party, and you're set!
4. Tropical Graduation Party Theme
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How cute is this graduation party theme?? I am so obsessed with the tropical flower arrangements in the mini inflatable pink flamingos. For the perfect summer high school graduation party, a tropical theme is so fitting! If you have a pool in your backyard, you could make it a swim party and fill the pool with inflatable pink flamingos.
BACKYARD GRADUATION PARTY IDEAS: FOOD
5. Nacho Bar
One of the best parts of graduation parties is the food! A super easy option is a nacho bar. Guests can help themselves and make their nachos however they please! This would be so cute with the fiesta party theme. There are also a ton of nacho bar puns that you could use (nacho average grad haha).
6. Pizza Buffet
How delicious is this? I would be so excited to go to a grad party and get to have pizza! This is an unusual option for graduation party food, so your guests will be so excited. I have even seen woodfired pizza food trucks that come and cook pizzas for your guests at the party!
7. Build Your Own Pasta Plate
I love the idea of any "build your own" food station at a graduation party. It is hard to please everyone with such a large crowd, but you can never go wrong with pasta and all of the sauce and toppings anyone could ever want! It's hard to go wrong with Italian food because pretty much everyone likes it!
8. Freshly Baked Cookie Table
This is the cutest graduation dessert table, and it is super popular. This would be easy to do by picking up some cookies from a bakery, or you could make them all homemade. No matter what you do, you can't forget the clever "smart cookie" pun! You could even incorporate the smart cookies into a bigger dessert table.
BACKYARD GRADUATION PARTY IDEAS: DECOR
9. Marquee Letters & Balloon Garland
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I have seen these marquee letters everywhere lately and I think they are so fun!! Having a balloon garland with the marquee letters has to be one of my favorite grad party decorations ever.
Amazon has balloon garlands for every color scheme imaginable, so you can have your balloons match your party theme or school colors. The marquee letters can usually be rented from a local company!
10. Florals & Photo Centerpieces
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I love going to grad parties and seeing all of the pictures of the grad! A perfect place to put photos is in the floral arrangements on the tables. You can personalize the centerpieces even more by adding a tag with your graduation year onto the jar. Flowers are also the best way to incorporate your color scheme and party theme into the party!
11. Display Photos of the Graduate
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This is one of my favorite graduation party ideas because everyone loves to look at pictures of the grad growing up and seeing all of the memories. If you can find a way to display a lot of photos at your graduation party, that's the best! I love this huge photo board, and I think it could be DIYed.
12. Balloon Garlands & Lots of Patio Furniture for Guests
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Balloon garlands really are an essential graduation party supply. They make your party look so well-decorated and really bring together the theme. This backyard graduation party is the best because there is so much cozy patio furniture for guests to hang out on while they're at the party!
BACKYARD GRADUATION PARTY IDEAS: ACTIVITIES
13. Have a Photo Booth for Guests
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It's important to know what to do and what not to do at your graduation party, but a photo booth is always a must!! Everyone wants a picture with the grad, and it's the perfect opportunity to really tie in the theme.
Make sure to have props and maybe consider getting a tripod for guests to set up their phones and take pictures. You're going to spend a lot of time taking pictures with all of the guests, so make sure it's a good backdrop!
14. Set Up an Outdoor Movie Screen
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I know this seems over the top, but how awesome would it be to have a movie show at night towards the end of your graduation party? This is such a unique graduation party idea, and it would make your party one your guests would never forget!
15. Have Lawn Games to Keep Guests Entertained
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There are so many fun outdoor graduation party games you should have! You could set up giant Connect 4, giant Jenga, and cornhole for your guests. They will have so much fun and be occupied the entire time! You could even customize these games by painting them to match the theme or color scheme.
16. Let Guests Leave Advice for the Grad
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One thing that guests love to do is give the graduate advice and well wishes before they head off to college. This is a super popular graduation party activity, and there are a ton of printables online to make this station look cute at your party. These notes of advice are also super nice for the grad to look at while they're away at college.
BACKYARD GRADUATION PARTY IDEAS: DRINKS
17. Serve Glass Soda Bottles for a Cute, Vintage Look
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If the way you are serving drinks also counts as party decor, you're winning! Putting glass bottles on ice in a wheelbarrow is so rustic and cute, your guests will love it. Keep an eye out for soda in glass bottles at local stores because they can be expensive to order online.
18. Use Drink Dispensers and Monogrammed Cups for a Classy Look
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Fill up your drink dispensers with some fun summery drinks for your guests to enjoy at your graduation party. The monogrammed cups at this drink station are so cute. The small details are always my favorite graduation party ideas.
19. Have a Coffee Bar
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I was SO excited when I found this graduation party with a legit coffee bar for guests! Apparently, there are coffee carts that cater for events. Do your research and see if there is one near you because this would be amazing at a graduation party.
BACKYARD GRADUATION PARTY IDEAS: LIGHTING
20. Hang String Lights and Paper Lanterns
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How pretty is this? Hanging string lights and attaching paper lanterns to them is such a simple thing, but it makes your party look so well decorated. I am definitely copying this for future outdoor parties.
21. Use String Lights to Light the Path to the Party
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If you are having a backyard graduation party tent, you may need a path to guide the guests to the tent. You can do this easily with some wooden stakes and string lights. I love the look of this! This is even better if you are having a party at night!
This post was all about the best backyard graduation party ideas.
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