Written by Dianna Candido
Photo by Eyeconik Media Event Planner: His & Hers Events
Experts weigh in to bring you what themes are hot in the party scene.
We know why you’re here — you’re poking your nose into the party planning scene and looking for some inspiration to spice up your next event.
So how do you choose the perfect theme? There are core classics that make up the “SFW” themes you rely on for corporate mixers and parties, but is there something more fun you could do to mix things up?
We certainly think so. Every party deserves a theme worth remembering, so we’re here to help you get inspired and get to planning.
8 Cool party themes in the Bay Area
Give your guests a truly unique experience with a theme that will blow them away. Here are 10 of the hottest party themes hitting the Bay Area this year.
Olympics
2024 is the year the Summer Olympics took place in Paris, and as such, we expect a little upturn of Olympic party themes. Invite guests to wear sports attire and have your own “olympic games.” Get out your judge cards and celebrate, because your party just earned a gold medal.
2. Taylor Swift
This is for you, ladies. Do we even have to explain this one? Lean into one album or have a mix of elements for every album on your TSwift playlist. Make certain areas of the party venue match themes from every era, and have guests dress as their favorite Taylor. Go ahead, let those sparks fly.
3. Pickleball/Tennis/NFL
Hit the court with one of this year’s trendiest themes. For this theme, choose simple snacks but lean into the colorful and healthy for on theme options. A sporty dress code will be unique and comfortable, and perfect for some fun in the sun. Bonus points if you actually have access to a court where your guests can play! Pickleball and Tennis not really your thing? Lean into the season with a classic Football theme, complete with Game Time appetizers, your favorite NFL highlights on screen, and team jerseys as recommended guest attire.
4. Bridgerton
Dearest Gentle Reader, it is our assertion that a Bridgerton themed party will likely be the talk of the “ton.” This year, (and probably for the next couple of years) we expect Bridgerton parties to be in full swing. And this one isn’t just for the ladies, fellas. So don your jacket or dress, and treat your guests as the diamonds they are.
5. Euphoria
Lean into the edgy style of Euphoria, HBO’s hit series. For decor, light your space with UV lights and mood lighting or LEDs. Glam up the look with a bold fashion dress code and glammed up makeup, then set the tone with songs from the tv show’s soundtrack. If this seems like something your guests would be into, consider choosing an indoor venue to make the most of this theme.
6. Cultural
Introduce a little culture into your next event with food, music, and decor elements that are tied to one specific culture. Choose a venue to match, and voila! You’ve got a well-rounded theme your guests will love. Our top recommendation? Japantown’s event spaces are perfect for both corporate and private events.
7. Startup + Tech
This one is pretty on brand for the Bay Area, in particular. If you choose this theme, lean into the tech side of things with some futuristic decor, VR headsets for guests, QR code art and touchscreen interactive elements.
Photo by Cali, SmittenKiss
8. Combine two themes for a unique spin
Want a memorable event? Go for something truly unique and make a combo of two themes. Think color theme + garden party and pull off a gorgeous party like the Featherington’s with their purple ball in season 3 of Bridgerton. Do the Olympics and Paris for an accurate but fun twist on both themes, or get futuristic with a moody robot theme for Halloween.
Overdone? Absolutely not. Memorable and fun? 100%.
When asked what some of the unique themes they experienced, our party planning partner Cali Nguyen, founder of SmittenKiss, said “Our favorite event was finding a cross between Mardi Gras and TRON. The colorful vibrance of New Orleans Mardi Gras and futuristic play on the robotic techno-advance elements was fun and creative. Mardi Gras masks were lined with led strips. The cocktails had LED ice cubes.”
(Hold on — where can we sign up?! How creative, and it sounds like a blast!)
Want something just as memorable? Make a list of your favorite themes then see if you can find any compatible themes to combine into your own unique theme. If you love the idea of a combo but not sure which themes harmonize with each other, chat with your party planner — they might have some ideas you haven’t thought of, yet.
There you have it! The top creative party themes in the Bay Area.
How to choose your theme
You could go with any of the classics — Beach themed, pick a decade, etc., but you may want to go with something a little different. Don’t get us wrong — every “traditional” theme can be super fun, especially with your own spin on it, but there are plenty of unique themes that might make your party stand out from the crowd.
Photo by Jerry Li Photography
Here’s what to consider when picking your theme:
Budget
Everyone has a budget, whether it’s a bit tight or plenty flexible. Carefully consider how much you’re willing to spend on your event to give your guests a good time. This will help you figure out which themes get a gold star, and which themes to boot to the curb.
Event Type
Your theme is going to entirely depend on the type of event. You’re not going to do a “Walking Dead” theme if you’re planning a garden party (most likely), just like most companies probably wouldn’t choose a “Bridgerton” theme at their next corporate event. Your event theme needs to harmonize with the event type, so consider which themes will blend well with your event type.
Guest List
This is a no-brainer, but important enough for a reminder. Your guest list should always influence your chosen theme. Carefully consider which themes will get your guests excited about your event, and which themes might not provide the most desired experience for your attendees.
Easy Access to Thematic Elements
Often overlooked, this consideration can be a game changer for your party planner if you choose the right theme. If you have easy access to elements that play into your theme, that’s one more way you can lean into and highlight your theme.
For example, having a garden tea party actually IN a garden and not indoors will clinch the ambience your looking for. Doing an 80’s themed party in a roller rink or arcade is going to play right into that theme and build up your party’s vibe.
Once you have your favorite themes on deck OR a preferred venue, consider which pairings will give you the most impactful duo of event them and venue.
Ready to sort through your options and choose the perfect theme?
Make planning your party easier and more fun by hiring a party planner
Planning a party is always more work than you think it will be. Trust us — as a party rental company, we’ve seen this happen on many occasions.
It’s easy to get wrapped up thinking that you’ll jump into event planning and just make it happen piece by piece. And you totally can! But take it form us — there’s always something more. Little pieces keep cropping up throughout the planning process, and what seemed a simple event to plan can quickly become overwhelming.
So the next time you want to plan your annual holiday party, consider getting a little support.
A party planner isn’t someone who takes over, leaving you completely without say in your party planning. They’re there to support your vision, and then take that vision and make it a reality. They’ll be the one you can rely on to give you insight and ideas to make your theme come to life, and even help you decide your theme if you can’t decide.
Reach out to us today for our list of partner party planners, who can help you create the most memorable event of the year.
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