Masquerade party: Gold masks on pink background

You could throw a costume party. But you lot're looking for something classier — something a little less bobbing for apples and a little more drinking champagne with pinkies in the air. You're looking for a masquerade ball.

A masquerade party is the forerunner to the modernistic-day costume party, simply this elegant affair isn't but for Halloween. Dressing upwards while donning masks makes an first-class political party theme for bat mitzvahs, New year'south Eve, fundraising galas, conjugal showers , bachelorette parties , and quinceañeras.

Whatever the occasion, we want to aid you celebrate. To create a masked brawl that'due south better than y'all imagined, apply this must-have guide to masquerade party themes, decorations, food, and invitations.

Masquerade Party Themes

Masquerade party: Gold mask on purple and green beads

Did you call back that "masquerade" was the theme? Well, that's just a starting signal. Here are a few ways to heighten your masquerade theme for the near extravagant, Instagram-worthy bash everyone volition dear.

Color Schemes

For photo ops that pop, pick an center-catching colour scheme. An all-white masquerade, black and white masquerade or black and gold masquerade are classic options. Just you don't have to limit yourself to the classics. If y'all're throwing a 50th birthday political party and the guest of honor's favorite colors are melon and chartreuse, go far a watermelon and chartreuse masquerade.

Plan your decor to match your color scheme, and consider handing out matching masks as a party favor. You can give guests white masks or blackness masks for a black and white ball, or hand out aureate masquerade masks to lucifer a black and aureate theme. For a fun activity, you lot can besides set up a arts and crafts party tabular array where guests tin DIY their mask with cutouts, sequins, and feathers.

Mardi Gras

A masquerade theme and Mardi Gras become together similar jazz and New Orleans. Mardi Gras masks are a traditional part of the celebration.

To make everyone feel like they're in the French Quarter, host your masquerade brawl on or around Fat Tuesday, encourage anybody to wear majestic, green, and gold, and hand out beaded necklaces as a festive party favor.

Great Gatsby

At that place'due south nothing quite similar the glitz and glitter of a Gatsby gala. Gloat the Roaring Twenties by serving champagne out of a coupe and mixing upwards a few bootlegger cocktails. Add in some Art Deco decor (think bold, geometric patterns and metal hues) and encourage guests to lucifer their masquerade ball mask with their favorite flapper outfit.

Venetian Masquerade

Gloat the origins of the masquerade ball by throwing a traditional Venetian masquerade. Encourage guests to observe their own artisan Venetian masks, or utilise them as part of your party decor.

Music and dancing were an integral office of traditional Venetian celebrations, so observe a playlist with classical Italian music, or become all out and hire a cord quartet. Bonus points to whatsoever guest who shows upwards in 16th-century attire.

Black Tie

If you're a fan of fancy dress, set the fanciest dress code of them all: black tie. Men will don their all-time tuxedo, women will wearable their most beautiful brawl gown, and the whole political party will testify yous but how nicely they clean up. Certain, this type of soiree can price a pretty penny, simply the memories will be priceless.

Holiday Political party

From New Year'southward Eve to Halloween and everything in between, consider throwing a masked party with a holiday theme. Host a Christmas masquerade celebration and encourage guests to don costumes in sparkly red, green, and silver hues. For an Oct fustigate, forget the Halloween costumes. Instead, ask everyone to come dressed in elegant orange and blackness ensembles, so laissez passer out masks upon arrival. Whatever time of year you choose, let the season inspire you.

Masquerade Party Decorations

Masquerade party: Party time on a white board

Masquerade parties allow y'all get in bear upon with your glam side. Sequins are always a good idea. Here are a couple of other ways you tin set the masquerade mood with your decorations.

Add Glamour

A archetype chandelier (or better even so, a candelabra) volition add instant sparkle to your party. Merely if your venue (or budget) isn't chandelier-level, at that place'southward a simpler mode to add some shine. Drape glittery garland effectually the room, fill up your centerpieces with confetti, and go for aureate cutlery (even if it's just plasticware). Footling touches like these volition set a glam tone without breaking the banking company.

Include a Photograph Booth

Photo booths are always a draw at whatever party. If you lot tin't beget to hire a professional photo booth, information technology's easy to set a DIY version. Simply discover an empty wall, hang a shimmery backdrop (think sequin material or golden streamers), and allow people take pics with their ain cameras. To make the photos actress fun, add photo booth props to your list of political party supplies.

Masquerade Ball Food and Drinks

Desserts on a party table

Nutrient and drinks are a fundamental part of any political party planning , and your masquerade celebration is no exception. Hither are some pro tips for hosting a most delectable effect.

Appetizers

You don't demand a full buffet spread or a sit-downwardly meal for an elegan t fête. Finger foods are a fun way to keep the party going since guests won't have to finish and consume. Put together a few bites that guests can grab every bit they circulate.

For a traditional Venetian masquerade, attempt a northern Italian dish like flossy cod on toasted polenta . For a Great Gatsby gathering, oysters on the half shell are a great idea while y'all tin scare up some delicious Halloween party nutrient for an All Hallows' Eve-themed affair.

Master Class

If you're having a sit-down meal, allow guests know that dinner will be served on your invitations. Again, expect to your theme for menu inspiration. For a vacation party, accept turkey and cranberry sauce. For a Mardi Gras party, choose Cajun classics. For a black-tie affair, serve an elegant 3-class meal.

Dessert

Whether you're serving a full meal or a multifariousness of appetizers, yous can't become wrong with bite-sized desserts. They offer a sweet end without giving guests an extreme sugar rush. Mini cupcakes, cookies, and other single-serve desserts are always a welcome treat. Fifty-fifty better if they match your party theme.

Yous can also choose a themed-dessert like a king cake for Mardi Gras, Charlotte Russe for a Gatsby party, or a pumpkin pie for the holidays.

Drinks

Of course, it's non a party without a few libations. Be sure to have plenty of bubbly on ice (and sparkling cider for those who want to gloat alcohol-costless). Y'all tin can as well consider themed drinks, such every bit a Hurricane cocktail for a Mardi Gras soiree or some spiked eggnog for a Christmas masquerade.

Masquerade Party Invitations

Now that you take visions of your political party dancing in your head, it's time to create the guest listing and ship your invites. Hither are a few digital invitations to gear up the tone for your masked affair.

Masquerade Ball Invitation

Masquerade party: Masquerade ball purple and black invitation

Design: Signature Greenvelope

This masquerade ball invite features an intricate mask design on a background that looks like black cardstock. Customize the emphasis color to purple or light-green (for Mardi Gras), ruby or gold (for Christmas), or teal (merely for fun). You lot tin besides piece of work with a designer to customize information technology even more.

Bokeh Masquerade Invitation

Black and gold masquerade invitation

Design: Claudia Owen

This invite is perfect for a black and golden masquerade. (Information technology'south also available in a gorgeous sapphire tone or black and silver combination.) Customize the script to read "masquerade party," and your guests will know they're in for an evening of elegance.

Gilt Masquerade Invitation

Gold and purple masquerade invitation

Design: Loree Mayer Design

Although this masquerade invite is fix for a bat mitzvah, you tin edit the text for an 18th birthday, baby shower, bachelorette party, or even a wedding. The font would look right at domicile on a 1920s marquee, making this a perfect choice for a Gatsby party.

Costumes & Cosmos Invitation

Costumes & cosmos invitation

Design: Robinson Creative House

If you lot want to forgo the formalities and leap correct into the fun, the playful text and illustrated costume pieces on this creative invitation volition set a playful mood. The card comes in orange, green, or purple with a neutral groundwork, making it ideal for a Halloween or Mardi Gras themed party.

Put On Your Mask and Get Gear up to Party

Attractive woman in black dress in medieval interior

The masquerade political party has been a hitting since the 16th century. It's a timeless tradition non simply because information technology's exciting to clothes up and clothing masks, but because it tin be adapted in then many ways. From birthdays to bridal showers to New Yr'south Eve, you tin can throw a masked ball any fourth dimension of year — and for any occasion — and information technology won't feel out of place.

And so why not try something out of the ordinary and give your guests an evening of revelry and intrigue? Whatever theme you choose, yous're sure to take a nighttime to retrieve. For even more party planning tips, experience free to continue browsing our Stationer'southward blog .