Graduation is a momentous occasion that deserves to be celebrated in style. For graduates that don’t want school colors as their theme, a black, white, and gold color scheme is the perfect way to make a graduation party feel chic, timeless, and elegant. Here are 11 ideas for your black, white, and gold grad party.
1. Choosing the Perfect Black, White, and Gold Theme
To create a cohesive theme, start by selecting the perfect balance of black, white, and gold for your announcements and invitations, table settings, and decor. Consider using a chic, minimalist style with clean lines and simple patterns, or opt for a glamorous Hollywood Regency approach with ornate touches and sparkling accessories.
For inspiration, check out these excellent theme ideas:
Gatsby-Inspired Grad Party
Black and Gold Masquerade
Hollywood Glamour
Remember to choose a theme that reflects the graduate's taste, interests, and accomplishments.
Black, White, and Gold Graduation Party Decorations
2. Outdoor Decor
Transform your backyard graduation party into a black, white, and gold oasis! Hang string lights, paper lanterns, and tassel garlands to create an inviting atmosphere. Personalize your party by incorporating graduation banners and custom signs displaying the guest of honor's name, school, and graduation year. You can add extra black and gold touches, like black and gold streamers, that you can hang along your outdoor space.
3. Graduation Balloons
Balloons are essential for any graduation party. Choose gold, black, or white foil number balloons to match the graduation year. Gather balloon bouquets in coordinating colors with sayings like "Congrats Grad!" or "Class of 2023" to create a centerpiece for your dessert or gift table. Balloon arches and garlands make a stunning statement piece to place at the entrance of the grad party or behind the guest of honor. Plus, balloon arches are great for photos of your graduate and their friends and family.
4. Celebrate with Confetti
Add a burst of fun to your grad party with confetti! Purchase a mix of black, white, and gold confetti, or get specially-made graduation party confetti. Scatter it on tables, blow up gold confetti balloons, or place it in cute confetti cones for guests to toss during the guest of honor’s first appearance.
5. Graduation Caps
Graduation caps represent tremendous accomplishments and are a versatile decoration. Include graduation cap silhouette cutouts in your invitations or decor, set out a graduation cap card box for guests to leave personalized notes and graduation cards, or use graduation cap toothpicks as a fun addition to your dessert and appetizer trays.
6. Eye-Catching Centerpieces
Find black, white, and gold graduation party decorations to use as centerpieces and draw eyes to your decked-out tables. Choose beautiful black, white, and gold flower balloon centerpieces, or shop for tinsel centerpieces shaped like graduation caps or diplomas.
7. Table Covers and Tableware
When picking out your graduation party tableware, choose a mix of black, white, and gold plates, cups, cutlery, and patterned napkins. Consider using graduation-specific plates and napkins to make the theme truly cohesive. Table covers in either solid black, white, or gold, with table runners in the opposite color, will perfectly coordinate with the color scheme.
Grad Party Food and Drinks
8. Creating a Black, White, and Gold Menu
To create the perfect black, white, and gold menu, consider incorporating the following ideas:
Appetizers: Begin the journey with white and black hors d'oeuvres such as goat cheese and black olive tapenade crostini, or smoked salmon and caviar blinis. Sprinkle edible gold glitter or use gold foil to enhance the presentation.
Main Course: Offer a choice of white, black, and gold dishes such as baked lemon chicken with white sauce, fettuccine alfredo, and blackened fish served on gold charger plates.
Side Dishes: Add some panache to classic side dishes with black or white alternatives, like black rice or parmesan mashed cauliflower. Garnish your dishes with edible gold leaf or gold flakes for a touch of glamor.
Beverages: Get creative and keep guests cool with refreshing drinks. Serve a black, white, and gold array of options, such as Moscato slushies, espresso martinis, and champagne. Make sure to offer non-alcoholic choices like vanilla milkshakes, grape Kool-Aid, and lemonade.
9. Themed Desserts and Treats
A decadent dessert table is essential for the perfect black, white, and gold party. These treats will satisfy your guests' sweet tooth and serve as stunning decorations:
Cake: Create a show-stopping cake with alternating layers of white and dark chocolate, black velvet, or gold-flaked vanilla cake. Decorate with edible gold leaf, gold-dusted chocolate truffles, white sugar flowers, and black and gold cake toppers for the ultimate centerpiece.
Cupcakes: Prepare an assortment of cupcakes adorned with black, white, and gold frosting or fondant designs, and display them on elegant cake stands with graduation cupcake toppers.
Chocolate-covered treats: Indulge in white chocolate-dipped strawberries, marshmallows, and pretzel rods drizzled with dark chocolate and gold sprinkles.
Entertainment and Activities
10. Must-Have Photo Booth Ideas
No grad party is complete without a photo booth to capture the fun moments. Here are several must-have photo booth ideas:
Backdrop: Create an eye-catching backdrop using black, white, and gold balloons, paper fans, streamers, or scene setters. Alternatively, consider using a gold sequin backdrop for an extra touch of glamor.
Props: Provide a variety of props for guests to enjoy, such as feather boas, goofy glasses, gold hats or crowns, and themed cardstock cutouts with catchy phrases and graduation caps. Surprise your grad and give guests a laugh with custom fan faces, available at Party City.
11. Fun and Engaging Games for All Ages
Keep your guests entertained with games that cater to all ages. Add a black, white, and gold twist to classic activities such as:
Charades: Modify charades by choosing relevant topics or themes, that match the graduate’s interest. This could include their favorite tv show, trivia about their university, or even about the graduate themselves!
Bingo: Create custom bingo cards using black, white, and gold numbers, symbols, or icons instead of the traditional numbers. Players can use gold coins or markers as card markers.
CTA: Celebrate your graduate's accomplishments in style with the help of Party City! We have an enormous selection of graduation party decorations, supplies, and gifts.
If you need some inspiration, visit a store near you. Our party planning experts can help you choose the best theme and decor for your guest of honor. Or browse our 2023 graduation party collections online.
FAQs
What are some black, white, and gold grad party theme ideas?
Some black, white, and gold grad party theme ideas include:
Hollywood Glam: Have guests walk down a black carpet, decorate with black and gold stars, and serve fancy hors d'oeuvres.
Masquerade Ball: Have guests wear black and white masks, serve gold drinks and food, and decorate with black and white balloons.
Gatsby Roaring Twenties: Serve champagne and fancy cocktails in gold glasses, decorate with art deco gold banners and black boas, and put on a playlist featuring classic 1920s music.
Black and White Garden Party: Decorate with white and gold flowers, serve black and white macarons, and have a dessert table with gold accents.
What should you wear to a black, white, and gold graduation party?
A typical dress code for a black, white, and gold graduation party is semi-formal or cocktail attire. For women, a little black dress or a white dress with gold accessories would be suitable. Men could wear a black suit with a white shirt and a gold tie or pocket square. If you want to make the dress code a little more casual, make sure to clarify this on your invitations.