Customizing a Themed Event

Customizing a Themed EventWhen planning a themed event–whether it be for a Bar Mitzvah,  Sweet 16, Corporate Event, or even a Wedding–the first things to consider are how extensively you'd like to incorporate the theme and what level of customization your budget will support. This isn't a zero-sum game, since creativity in planning can add unique touches without expense, but knowing your budget will help in best determining where your priorities lie in planning and what elements of the theme are most important to the party you want. It's important to consider not only what theme you'd like and how much it'll effect the event, but how the theme is incorporated.

- Do you want the theme simply as a backdrop to provide the look of the event, or do you want it to inform the planning in activities, food, and entertainment?

Once the degree to which the chosen theme will be carried through, the next step in planning is to explore as many options and creative avenues for theme-related applications as possible. The possibilities for incorporating character to a theme party or event are endless. Here at Party Planners LA our approach is to find fresh and innovative ways to bring a new look and feel to popular themes, and we recommend going beyond the usual channels when planning to bring a unique flavor to your event that's yours alone.

A good place to start is chatting with friends to compare notes. This will give you a good idea of not only what's already been done amongst your social group, but which ideas have worked and which haven’t. Asking questions will tell you a lot about about how to improve upon successes and avoid pitfalls.

Next, keep an eye out for inspiration when visiting restaurants, shops, and venues. Many businesses are themed nowadays, so seeing how the pros incorporate theme can help to inspire ideas for how to bring yours to life, too. Pay particular attention to common elements like use of atmosphere and staff as ambassadors of the theme, color and pattern, floral installations and foliage, notable or clever accents, as well as furnishings and table settings. Observing what thematic elements are used, how and where they're blended in, and how a few well-placed elements can be used within a more general backdrop for impact can show the way to setting your own scene.

Don't overlook the wealth of great information online. Besides general information and visual examples, if you dig deeper, you can find countless useful ideas for how to make your theme party stand out, along with how the theme has been executed by other people with success and where others have had problems. More importantly, with a little bit of targeted searching, you can collect some relevant information about your theme, like foods that might be served in the world/era of your theme, activities or crafts that your theme character(s) might enjoy, and visual elements unique to your themed world/era.When considering a child's themed birthday party, Bar or Bat Mitzvah, Sweet 16, or wedding, there will always be themes which are more popular, which can result in a chain of parties that all look and feel all too similar. Digging deeper into your chosen theme can give you creative ideas of how to be more innovative and use even the most common themes in ways that haven't been seen before.

- Refreshments: A themed cake is always a great way to bring in theme, but the most obvious. Add to the effect by applying the theme to the food, drinks, and snacks you serve. Select refreshments that can be tied in to the fictional world or historic era of your theme. What foods and drinks do the characters enjoy and how can you make your party catering follow in that vein? For example, if you're planing a Harry Potter party, you can use the great feasts and unique treats described in the books to serve your guests in magical Hogwarts style. Or, if your theme is based on a place or historical era, check out what might be served at a party in that time and place. For example, a Bollywood themed party might have a selection of Indian finger foods, flavored naan, and chutneys, while a 1970s themed party might have an assortment of fondues, kitschy canapes, and pop culture snacks.

- Decorations: Especially if budget is a concern, incorporating themed party decorations needn't be a visual barrage of the theme. The best impact is often more about using well-placed, eye-catching elements into a more general backdrop with a thoughtful color scheme. For example, in a Circus themed party, you'd want to use a palette of complimenting bold colors with well-placed striped accents, which can be easily obtained. Instead of a riot of varied decorative pieces, why not use your budget for more unique decorative pieces that can also double as game prizes or keepsakes by contracting a designer to create a few special posters or custom signs?

- Activities/Entertainment: This is where your theme party can really shine. Keep your guests immersed in the theme by planning events and entertainment that reinforces your chosen theme. As your guests enter, use the entrance as a portal to transport them into the theme. Whether it's a special sign, themed guest book, or character acting as a greeter, that first impression will go a long way to putting guests in the spirit. Plan a soundtrack with music that establishes the right mood and feel to the party throughout the event. Even the games and activities can reflect your theme. Maybe your game can involve guests dressing up as their favorite characters in a fictional world, choosing a famous person to portray during the event, or playing a game popular in your chosen fictional world or historical era. For kid's birthday parties, theme can also be a great springboard to designing a crafts activity for each guest to make their own favor.

Regardless of the specifics, the same process can be applied to virtually any element of any theme you select for any event. Once you know your theme and how intensively you'd like to incorporate it, as well as your budget, planning is a matter of looking deeper for interesting and unique ways to bring that theme to life. Themed party catering perfect for a kid's birthday party wouldn't likely work for a wedding, but activities ideal for teenaged girls at a Sweet 16 party might also be great for a tween birthday party or Bat Mitzvah. A Circus theme would be used differently for a corporate event vs a children's birthday party; though some elements might overlap, a business or adult party will often reflect the theme in more sophisticated visuals and catering with professional entertainers, while a kid's party would likely involve more playful snacks, games, and group activities. The age of the guests and relative style of the event (from casual to corporate to formal) will inform your choices of what's appropriate. The key is to use your theme in the way that best suits your personality and your guests.

When considering a themed party or event, the most important thing to remember is to let yourself have fun, too. Don't get so bogged down in details that a party feels too much like work. Ideally, if you plan smart and think ahead, you can save yourself stress. Or, if you find you're not able to make the time to create the event you want, a professional party planner can help you flesh out your ideas and will have a book of lots of great vendors and service pros to take the heavy lifting out of your hands to let you relax and enjoy your party.

However you go about making it happen, accomplishing a more immersive theme party experience will take more time, energy, and thought than a general event, but the investment will more than pay off in a successful party that creates lasting memories you and your guests will cherish for years to come.