Summer is in full-swing and I just love a good summertime shindig. Drinks, dancing, good food, great friends, just living the night away footloose and fancy free! Ever since moving into our house, I’ve been itching to throw a really good party for all our friends – and what better kind of party than a Great Gatsby themed party?!
I love themed parties and one of my most favorite themes of all for any sort of party, wedding, get-together etc, has to be, hands-down, Great Gatsby. Seriously.
I mean, who wouldn’t want to party with Gatsby?! I adore the 1920s – the music, the style, the fun. Yes, I realize the Jazz Age was not all it’s cracked up to be, but I can’t help loving the portrayal we give it today. Glitz, glamour and high society amidst rivers of champagne and jazzy band music. Love. Love. Love. So I thought I would throw some tips together for throwing your own Great Gatsby themed party as I prep for my own (which I will probably host next summer once my house is more put together!)
Great Gatsby Themed Invitations
Every great party starts with a great invite! Think black and gold, art deco patterns, and everything glamourous. You can make your own using free fonts like at the top left, or there are many Etsy shops (like Pretty with Ink Invites) that will hand-design Gatsby themed invites for you! Be sure to send out well in advance!
——– SHOP THE LOOK ——–
Great Gatsby Themed Party Attire
Ooh, 1920s garb has to be one of my most favorite things. Ever. Ladies, find yourselves a fun (and preferably really sparkly!) flapper/art deco style dress, add in some glitzy and/or feathered hair pieces or headbands, and go for glam with the jewelry and nails. In the 1920s, the really fashionable girls usually had their hair short, which can be mimicked with a curled and pinned chignon or finger waves. Gents, get classy and wear a full tux if you can! Mhmm, I do love a man in a tux. If you want to go more casual, wear a button up, vest, tie, and some nice pants. Slick back that hair and don some fancy cufflinks. Et voila! You’re ready to party it up, Gatsby-style.
——– SHOP THE LOOK ——–
Great Gatsby Themed Party Decor
Decor is what ties a great cohesive party together! For this Great Gatsby themed party I absolutely recommend playing up the black and gold for the highest amount of glamor possible. Garlands, streamers, and glitter backdrops are all totally DIYable and you can get inexpensive gold and black party ware from places like Partypail.com. Hang old fashioned globe lights around the house and backyard for a cozy glow. For centerpieces, arrange white ostrich feathers or fresh white flowers in dollar store vases. Fabric draped along the ceiling gives off an intimate and luxurious feel! You can even hang some art deco prints to set the tone.
——– SHOP THE LOOK ——–
Great Gatsby Themed Food & Drink
You can’t have a party without drinks! Or delicious food. For a Great Gatsby themed party, whip up some classy cocktails and always have champagne on tap. (A champagne tower is even better! I mean, really.) For eats, go for nibbles and hors d’oeuveres. Think small bites that can fit on a cocktail plate or napkin and can be eaten easily, but still look divine. After all, you don’t want to be so full that you can’t dance the night away! Add a fun self-serve dessert bar with macarons, cupcakes, whipped desserts, and more; add little name plates and flags for a classy touch.
——– SHOP THE LOOK ——–
And don’t forget the jazz music and to have a good time!
“A little party never killed nobody.”
*Note: I do not own any of the photos above, but all are properly credited.*
Brings me back to my college days! We had a Great Gatsby party and it was SO fun! Awesome collection of party goodies my friend! Please invite me 😉
That sounds so awesome! I bet it was a killer party. I’ve not ever thrown a themed party yet, so I’m excited to do it! You are absolutely invited! :)D
Where is this dress from ? That you pinned it had a burst of sequence in the middle and shiffon in nude and beige colors?
Is this the dress you meant? https://www.oncewed.com/alberta-ferretti-dark-purple-tulle-sleeveless-sequin-and-bead-embellished-scoop-neck-dress/ It looks like it’s made by Alberta Ferrett. I did some pretty extensive searching, but it looks like it isn’t available online anywhere anymore. I’m sorry I can’t be of more help!
Oh my gosh Erica! How fun!!!!!! I’ll be waiting for my gold invite next year and of course, shopping for my sparkly flapper dress in the mean time 😉
Haha, brilliant! You are totally, totally invited. We will dance the night away! 😉
Hey Erica! I love this theme 🙂 I’m trying to source an image from this gallery for a client- could you tell me where the two ladies in their beaded dresses is from? THANKS!!
I originally found it here: http://www.vponsalewedding.co.uk/wedding-trends-the-great-gatsby-inspired-wedding-ideas/ but it looks like the image might have come from a website called chic-dresses.com but I couldn’t find it there. Hope this helps and happy new year!
I really like the Great Gatsby theme decoration. A good choice of design. It is full of passion. Thank you sharing this.
It’s one of my favorite party themes too, Juan Carlo! Thanks for stopping by!
Hey Erica! Where did you find the greyish dress in your group of “great gatsby themed attire pictures”? It’s the one next to the girls with the umbrellas.
Hi Emily, here is where I found that dress: http://poshposh.com/2009/12/alberta-ferretti-dark-purple-tulle-sleeveless-sequin-and-bead-embellished-scoop-neck-dress/ I hope it helps! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
I once went to a Roaring 20’s Gala – bought a sequined flapper girl costume online (Halloween site, I can’t remember the name), then went to JoAnn and bought YARDS of four-inch black fringe, which I sewed circularly from hemline to hip – I can’t tell you how many complements I got on that dress, which looked like a million but was less than $100!
Oh wow, how fun!! I love DIY costumes – I have no doubt you looked smashing! 🙂
The first photo for invitations with the grey background and a cursive pink ‘P’ are invitations by Pretty With Ink Invites. These are one of a kind and available for purchase and customization here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/PrettyWithInkInvites
Thanks!
Thank you so much for letting me know! I added your link to the article – I hope it sends some business your way! Lovely work 🙂
How can I find a dress on that you posted on here??? Is there anyway?
Hello! I’ve gotten this question a few times before and have done some extensive research, but it seems that this dress is now discontinued and unavailable anywhere 🙁 Which is super tragic because it’s the most gorgeous dress!