Having an exciting event theme has become almost the top of the checklist if you are thinking of holding an event or party.
Food? Check.
Drink? Check.
Theme? Pending.
Finding the perfect theme for your party can be difficult, which is why we have put together a list of some out of the box, alternative theme ideas to help your event stand out whilst create lasting memories for guests. But first, there is a question that MUST be answered before we begin.
How Formal Is Your Event?
Alternative party themes can sometimes be on the more light-hearted, fun side of the spectrum. If you are holding a more sophisticated, business style event it could be more in your interests to leave the themes at the door.
However, we do believe that even the smartest gatherings can be styled and themed effectively. Corporate event themes can be classy, tapping into more sophisticated aesthetics. Because of this we have included three fun themes, and three classier themes in our list.
1920’s Social Gathering Theme
Known as the roaring 20s, the 1920s aesthetic has become synonymous with style and class. Think The Great Gatsby, Chicago and Bugsy Malone, gentlemen in a sharp tailored suit and slicked back hair, ladies in glamourous flapper dresses with bejewelled head pieces and excessively sized feather boas.
In terms of food, staples of 1920s fine dining include prawn cocktail, oysters Rockefeller, Walldorf salad and pineapple upside down cake or a simple jelly for dessert. Catering equipment for your event theme may be modern, but the tastes you can provide can have that vintage throwback feel.
For drinks, why not try an old fashioned, a whiskey base mixed with sugar, Angostura bitters and lemon. Or to suit the prohibition theme, go non-alcoholic with the prohibition daisy, a combination of a selection of fruit juices and syrups.
Create A Music Festival At Your Event
Our first more light-hearted event theme is perfect for escapism. Over 34 million people in the UK attended a musical festival in 2019, but in the past year due to current circumstances they have not been able to run.
Thankfully, now that the world seems to be coming back to some form of normality, music festivals are also making their return.
Festival styling is becoming an increasingly popular alternative party theme thanks to its laid back, easy going nature. Set up a stage and position chairs facing towards it, giving your guests a front row seat.
Alternatively, simply set up a field full of tents, food trucks and BBQs. Tell your guests to pack their hoodies and wellies and make sure the alcohol is flowing to make this theme a success.
Classic British Tea Party
British afternoon tea is known around the world for style and class. This event theme is guaranteed to ooze style and sophistication.
Imagine the Great British Bake Off but without the cameras, a large marquee tent full of stylish tables and chairs. Stacked on those tables are the finest sweet treats on dazzling crockery, accompanied by all you need to make your perfect cup of tea.
The tea party is one of the very best event themes for more highbrow, cultured corporate events and is sure to make an excellent impression on your guests.
Visitors to your event can come in their finest smart casual attire, from suit trousers and a smart button up shirt to floaty, floral summer dresses.
Randomly Assign Different Themes To Guests
A proven way to create a unique and diverse array of guests, this is a different party theme from all of the others on our list. This theme works best for parties where everyone is friends. Simply tell everyone not to discuss the theme, making an excuse that it could perhaps be a surprise for someone.
Then, once your guests have pledged to secrecy you assign a theme to individuals. Give your best friend a pirate theme, your sister a pyjama dress code and your neighbour a cops and robbers idea, then get your camera ready and get ready for everyone to arrive.
A way of catering this event could also be to ask everyone to bring a different dish, this assures a wide mixture of food that can be set up on a large catering table style buffet.
The Names Bond, James Bond
What is cooler than international espionage? For nearly 50 years, James Bond has been the epitome of style and class in his expertly tailored suits and with a Martini, shaken not stirred of course, in his hand.
At some point, everybody has wanted to be James Bond, and having an event themed around the world of 007 gives your guests a chance to live out their fantasies.
From stylish settings such as Venice in Casino Royale to the ice palace of Iceland in Die Another Day, decoration ideas are aplenty with a James Bond event theme. Food can be as standard for your events, but drinks are where you can really splash out.
Favourite Movie Character Cosplay
Along the same line, everyone has their favourite character from a movie. This event theme is a fun way of getting a diverse range of characters appearing at your party. To accompany your guests dress, you can style your event around the world of Hollywood; roll out the red carpet and break open the champagne.
This theme is perfect for people to let loose their creative sides, personalities will blossom and overall a fun time will be had. Characters can be as varied as Woody from ‘Toy Story’ to Pennywise from ‘It’, it really is up to your guests.
Event themes are never ending, and our list is only the tip of the iceberg in terms of what you can pull off. If you would like to hire all that you may need for your event from chairs, tables, cutlery, crockery or catering equipment, get in touch with us here at Top Table Catering and we would be more than happy to help.