Special events can be much more memorable when they’re designed around a specific theme. An annual event is an especially great choice for adding a theme. Each year you’ll be able to inject fresh energy into your event by choosing a new theme, keeping your guests excited to return year after year.
Choosing a theme can either make or break an event. Perhaps that’s why so many events don’t carry a theme – it’s not worth the uncertainty. Choosing a theme that’s tacky or ill-fitting can lead your guests to lose interest in your event. On the other hand, a great theme will get your guests excited about your event before they even arrive.
Pick a theme that compliments your objectives and your main goal. An extravagant theme, like “Casino Night” for a quarterly business meeting could take away from what you’re trying to accomplish, leaving your guests confused and distracted. However, this same theme could be a great fit for an annual fundraiser.
Another consideration when choosing a theme is the type of people who will attend your event. A family-friendly event hosted during the week will most likely have a different theme than an adult-only formal affair held on the weekend. Put yourself in your guest’s shoes – how would they react to hearing about the theme?
What constraints do you have? The venue, itinerary, and season can help narrow down your list of possible themes. Other factors you’ll want to consider are whether the event will be held indoors or outdoors, the size of your budget, and the type of vendors you plan to hire.
Ideally, you should be able to describe your theme in a few words. It could be something simple like “The Roaring ‘20s” or “Christmas in July”. If you can’t easily explain your theme in just a few words, chances are there’s too much going on. Keep it simple.
Organizers of the most successful themed-events go much further than simply decorating the venue. They incorporate the theme into every aspect of their event. The choice of food, activities, entertainment, and music can all reflect the theme you choose.
Event Theme Ideas
Places
- Base your theme on a destination: beach luau, boardwalk, Napa vineyard, Victorian village, garden party or the wide-open country
- Transport your guests to a glamorous locale like Hollywood, Broadway or Paris. Perhaps keep it simple with a farmers’ market or picnic theme
- Pick a country or region of the world to highlight in an international-themed event
- Forget the destination and pick a theme based on modes of transportation: trains, planes, cars, boats or hot air balloons
Time
- Choose your favourite decade. From the Roaring 20’s to the Psychedelic 60’s, every decade has something fun to offer. Along with decorating the venue to match the theme, encourage guests to dress in a way that was in style at the time
- Go back in time with a theme of Wild West, Ancient Explorers or Medieval Times
- Match the theme of your event with a season or holiday. From a spring picnic to winter wonderland, there is always something in season
Entertainment
- Bring a popular book to life: Alice in Wonderland, Harry Potter or The Great Gatsby
- Reenact a cinematic classic: Casablanca, James Bond or any superhero film
- Draw inspiration from some of the greatest events around the world: Mardi Gras, Fringe Festivals or the Olympic Games
- Use a hobby or game as the basis of your theme: Candy Land, Monopoly or Clue
- Sports make great themes, too: hockey, basketball, baseball, football, soccer or tennis
