Mod Max: Retro Romance and Personalized Décor in Midcentury Modern Editorial at Graduate

Upon entering Graduate by Hilton Lincoln, guests are instantly transported to another era. Set in the heart of Cornhusker country, the hotel has an air of college nostalgia with vintage influences, making it a one-of-a-kind place to celebrate and stay. Among its many noteworthy details is the distinctive carpet in the Scarlet Ballroom.

Drawing inspiration from the carpet, 402 Events crafted a midcentury modern wedding design that embraced the hotel’s retro atmosphere. “With it leaning midcentury modern, we wanted to highlight rich tones and unique shapes to bring the feeling of a midcentury modern home to life,” Makayla Weeks, event manager at 402 Events says. Kicking off the design, Nicole Reher Creative developed a stationery suite featuring bold geometric shapes, retro typography and standout illustrative elements, such as the whiskey glass RSVP card. “It's those small, thoughtful details that make the suite feel memorable and personable to each guest who receives it in the mail,” Reher says. 

The carpet in the Graduate really drove the entire design direction. From the color palette to specific rental selections, everything tied back to that starting point.

—Makayla Weeks, 402 Events 

Seemingly plucked from a different decade, the dining scene flawlessly blended rich wood-colored walls, checkered carpet and an array of jewel-toned hues. Of the Earth Florals garnished the table with poppies, parrot tulips, gerberas and hyacinth, creating an alluring tablescape, while vintage and thrifted vessels added to the nostalgia. Wooden flatware and plates set atop the velvet tablecloth carried texture throughout as scalloped edges and patterned napkins added another layer of visual interest. The cherry on top? A mini cake by Butterfly Bakery at each place setting.

The midcentury mod vibe was mainly influenced in color, we knew we had to nail that to bring the look home.

—Natalie Elsberry, Of the Earth Florals

The “living room” vignette felt straight out of Mad Men, featuring ’60s-and ’70s- inspired décor at every turn. “We wanted to highlight rich tones and unique shapes to bring the feeling of a midcentury modern home to life,” Weeks says. Illuminated by the amber glow of vintage lamps, an array of collected pieces made the scene feel genuine and reinforced the theme.

The living room area was a favorite—it felt cozy and intimate while still being romantic.

—Makayla Weeks, 402 Events

A grand curved wooden bar and chrome bar stools were spotlighted beneath rattan lighting. Vintage glass liquor decanters filled with old fashioneds echoed the stationery detail from the RSVP card within the invitation suite. Another standout element was the unique four-tier cake, featuring a checkered luggage design as a nod to the hotel, alongside three Lambeth-style tiers, with a piece artfully cut out to crown the top.