Extravagant, lavish, bountiful, exuberant – it all falls short of grasping the true meaning of a Gatsby party. Yet despite the maturity of Fitzgerald’s most famous work, the Gatsby legacy lives on. After the 2013 movie rendition, the glamour of Gatsby parties has been unparalleled. This craze also sparked a trend of throwing Gatsby-themed parties mirroring the extravagance of 1920’s New York. But how to approach this matter? Find out in the ultimate guide to throwing a Gatsby party!
Step 1: Book a classy venue
The venue is everything when it comes to throwing a Gatsby party. The novel describes a majestic yet mysterious mansion, with ceiling-height windows and sparkling chandeliers in every room. Although this extravagance may be a little too much (and expensive), a glamorous venue can also be found in your local hotel lobby, a golf club reception area or a fancy restaurant for that matter. Use your imagination!
A dark interior with classic details may do the trick. This style mimics the mystery of the roaring twenties and matches the black and gold signature Gatsby style. Is your venue lacking the ambiance of a classic mansion, a lot can be done with velvet drapery and dimmed lighting.
Step 2: Create invitations in style
Your guests’ experience starts the moment they receive their invitations to your exclusive party. So make sure the moment is memorable and preferably worth framing. Again, the black and gold theme is a safe bet. Add text in a majestic font and close off with your personal signature.
Want to add an extra touch? Spray some perfume on the invitation paper or the envelope and create a multi-sensory experience from the start! Make sure the scent is returned at the venue through scented sticks or dispensers. You’re guaranteed a memorable evening!
Step 3: Decorate in abundance
Aside from a stunning venue, you need decorations that reflect the theme you want to highlight. For your Gatsby party, this means glitter, gold and more is more! Make sure to select a variety of different decorations and mix and match to prevent the glitter from getting tacky.
Also consider things for your guests to do at the party like a photo booth, signature liquor, casino slot machines, a poker table and anything else fitted to the era of Gatsby. Themed games and activities make for hours of entertainment.
Step 4: Serve the right drinks
The 1920s is characterized by Prohibition and bootlegged alcohol, however, this didn’t stop the elite from letting the drinks flow during their extravagant parties. So make sure there’s enough champagne, whiskey and any other drink you find suitable for your Gatsby theme.
Consider creating a few signature drinks that remind of the era you’re recreating; in spirit of the speakeasies, get creative and serve your guests the very best!
Step 5: Make costumes mandatory
When your venue is decorated to perfection and your food and drinks reflect the 1920s to the detail, what setback would it be to welcome your guests in plain T-shirts and jeans. Costumes, therefore, are mandatory! Let your guests dress up as flapper girls, elite gentlemen or infamous gangsters and enjoy the evening in style!
A little party never killed nobody
Now that you know which steps to take to throw the ultimate homage to F. Scott Fitzgerald, all you have to do is enjoy! Cheers, old sport!