2026 graduation parties styled with elliestyled rentals
effortless ways to style a graduation celebration
graduation season is one of our favorite times of year at elliestyled. it is full of pride, excitement, and the kind of gatherings that bring family and friends together to celebrate a huge milestone.
whether you are hosting in your backyard, at home, or at a venue, thoughtful rentals can completely transform the space. layered tables, cozy lounges, styled food stations, and simple backdrops help create a celebration that feels intentional without needing a full event production.
to help inspire graduation celebrations this season, we created a series of graduation rentals spotlights featuring pieces from our collection. each spotlight pulls together rentals that work beautifully together for a graduation party.
the color palettes were inspired by different school colors, but the best part about using rentals is that everything can be mixed and styled to match any college or high school.
here are a few ways our rentals can help bring a graduation celebration to life.
university of illinois inspired celebration
this spotlight pulls inspiration from the university of illinois color palette, pairing warm orange tones with soft blues and natural textures.
the white folding sign creates the perfect welcome moment for guests as they arrive. customized with the graduate’s initial, class year, or a short greeting, it immediately sets the tone for the celebration and doubles as a photo spot throughout the party.
for the main gathering area, a low floor table layered over a natural jute rug creates a relaxed and inviting setup that works beautifully for backyard celebrations. floor cushions and pillows give guests a comfortable place to sit while keeping the space casual and social.
raffia chargers, linen dinner plates, aqua goblets, and wooden candlesticks bring in color while still feeling natural and effortless. the combination of textures keeps the table interesting while allowing school colors to shine in a subtle way.
wood cake stands nearby can be used for desserts, cupcakes, or a small graduation cake, creating an easy styled moment for sweets.
this look is perfect for a university of illinois celebration, but the same pieces can easily be styled for any school by adjusting the florals, linens, and stationery to match the graduate’s colors.
university of kentucky inspired celebration
this spotlight is inspired by the classic blue and white palette of the university of kentucky, pairing crisp navy tones with natural textures and clean white pieces.
the burano dinner plates layered over cane chargers create a timeless table setting that feels both relaxed and polished. navy goblets add a rich pop of color while wooden candle holders and simple florals keep the overall look soft and natural.
a white multipurpose cart becomes a fun focal point for the party and can be customized to reflect the graduate’s school. here it is styled with a kentucky logo on the front panel and a blue and white striped awning, turning it into a playful station for drinks, desserts, or party favors.
for cocktails and refreshments, the missy bar creates a beautiful gathering spot for guests. the bar can be customized with paint to match the event aesthetic, and in this case it has been styled with navy panels to coordinate with the kentucky color palette. paired with our natural bar accessories, it creates a bar setup that feels polished but still relaxed for a backyard celebration.
this look works perfectly for a university of kentucky graduation party, but the same pieces can easily be styled for any school by adjusting the colors, florals, and custom details to reflect the graduate’s alma mater.
tulane university inspired celebration
this spotlight draws inspiration from the rich greens and natural textures often associated with tulane university, creating a look that feels fresh, relaxed, and garden inspired.
rattan chargers layered with our linen collection create a soft and natural table setting that pairs beautifully with green goblets, rocks glasses and simple florals in ceramic bud vases. bamboo folding chairs and an oak farm table add warmth and texture, creating a gathering space that feels effortless and inviting.
the focal point of this setup is a layered backdrop installation designed for photos and celebrating the graduate. the arched panel backdrop, and half panel backdrop can be customized with paint and vinyl to reflect the graduate’s school colors and class year. here they are styled in tulane inspired greens with custom lettering to highlight the class of 2026.
paired with the rattan arched backdrop and soft greenery, the setup creates a perfect place for guests to gather for photos throughout the party.
this look works beautifully for a tulane celebration, but the same pieces can easily be styled for any school by adjusting the paint colors, vinyl lettering, and florals to match the graduate’s university.
northwestern university inspired celebration
this spotlight is inspired by the signature purple palette of northwestern university, combining soft lavender tones with natural textures and clean white pieces.
woven chargers layered with our luna collection create a light and elegant table setting that feels perfect for an outdoor celebration. purple goblets and rialto glass bowls add subtle color while bamboo flatware brings in a warm natural element that keeps the overall look relaxed and inviting.
purple and white cake stands create a beautiful dessert display and can be used for cupcakes, cookies, or a graduation cake. mixing different heights adds visual interest and makes the dessert table feel styled without needing many additional elements.
the candy cart becomes a playful focal point for the party and can be customized to reflect the graduate’s school. here it is styled with the northwestern nu logo on the awning, creating a fun station for sweets or favors that guests can enjoy throughout the celebration.
this look is perfect for a northwestern graduation party, but the same rentals can easily be styled for any school by adjusting the colors, stationery, and custom details to match the graduate’s university.
university of tennessee inspired celebration
this spotlight takes inspiration from the bold orange palette of the university of tennessee, creating a graduation celebration that feels festive, spirited, and full of personality.
for the table setting, teak chargers layered with our linen collection create a warm and natural foundation. athenian flatware adds a polished touch while still feeling relaxed for a backyard celebration.
the chalkboard sign customized with vinyl lettering creates a welcoming moment for guests as they arrive.
for a statement backdrop moment, the western graduation backdrop package brings together several elements to create a styled focal point for photos and gathering. the package includes a wooden pallet backdrop, wine barrel, two cowhide rugs, stacked wine crates, a school flag, and a school barrel sign. together these pieces create a layered setup that feels relaxed and celebratory while highlighting school pride. please note the balloon installation and saddle barrel shown in the photo are provided by other vendors but can be arranged separately upon request.
comfortable lounge seating nearby with the sadie sofa, acacia chairs, and tia coffee table creates a casual place for guests to gather and relax throughout the event.
this setup works beautifully for a university of tennessee celebration, but the same pieces can easily be customized with different flags, colors, and signage to reflect any school or graduation celebration.
