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6 Unforgettable Themes for Your 18th Birthday Party: Ideas for Setups, Entertainment and More

Choosing a theme for your 18th birthday party is a great way to make the event unique and memorable. A well-chosen theme can unite all the elements of the party, from the set-up to the music, creating a cohesive and fun experience for you and your guests. Here are 6 possible themes for your 18th birthday party, with suggestions on set-ups, entertainment, table settings, dress code, music, and types of invitations/menus.



Hollywood Glamour:



Arrangements: Think of a red carpet at the entrance, soft lighting, and gold decorations. Centerpieces can be golden Oscar-style statuettes or elegant flower arrangements. Photographs of movie stars or classic movie posters can be used as backdrops.















Entertainment: A photo booth with accessories like sunglasses, feather boas, and celebrity hats is a must. You could also organize an “Oscar” for the guests, with fun categories, like “Best Smile”




Mise en Place: Black tablecloths with gold runners, elegant white plates and gold cutlery. Crystal glasses for toasting will add a touch of class.





Dress Code: Elegant evening wear for everyone, with a touch of glamour. For women, long sparkling dresses; for men, tuxedos or black suits.


Music: Famous movie soundtracks and hit pop songs to make everyone feel like a star.



Invitations/Menus: Gold and glittery movie ticket style invitations. Menus printed in gold on black cardstock, with dish names inspired by famous movies.








Tropical Party:






Arrangements: Colorful decorations with exotic flowers, artificial palms and shells. Tables with white linen tablecloths and pineapple and coconut centerpieces.


Entertainment: A corner for creating flower leis, team games like limbo or Hawaiian dance competitions.






Mise en Place: Brightly colored plates and glasses, tropical-themed napkins, and gold cutlery for a touch of elegance.






Dress Code: Light and colorful dresses, Hawaiian shirts, straw skirts and floral accessories. For guests, a flower garland around the neck is a must.

Music: Reggae, Caribbean music and summer songs that evoke a holiday atmosphere.

Invitations/Menus: Invitations in the shape of palm leaves or with tropical floral motifs. Menus on green cards decorated with hibiscus flowers.




1980s:




Decor: Neon lights, vinyl records hanging on the walls, and posters of famous 80s bands. A jukebox or retro video game console can be a great touch.


Entertainment: Karaoke contest with 80s songs, breakdance challenges or a contest for the best retro look.







Mise en Place: Neon colored tablecloths, colored plates and glasses, centerpieces with neon candles or old music cassettes.






Dress Code: High-waisted pants, oversized jackets, metallic leggings, teased hair and retro-style accessories.


Music: Playlist with the most famous hits of the 80s, from romantic ballads to dance songs.


Invitations/Menus: 80's music album cover or cassette style invitations. Menus printed on neon colored cardstock with retro graphics.






Vintage Circus:



Set Up: Red and white tents, fairground lights, giant stuffed animals and old circus posters. Tables decorated with popcorn, candy and cotton candy.




Entertainment: Performances by jugglers, magicians and clowns, as well as fairground games such as ring tossing and shooting.







Mise en Place: Red and white striped tablecloths, colorful plates, retro-style glasses and centerpieces with small circus tents.


Dress Code: Attire inspired by vintage circus performers, such as circus tamers, acrobats and jugglers.


Music: Soundtracks from old circus films, barrel organ music and retro tunes.





Invitations/Menus: Invitations in the form of circus entrance tickets, with bright colors. Menus on cardboard with drawings of tents and animals.



Alice in Wonderland:




Arrangements: A long tea table with mismatched cups, colorful teapots, hanging pocket watches, and giant playing cards as decorations.

Entertainment: A game of croquet like in the story, a Mad Hatter impersonation contest, or an Alice-themed quiz.




Mise en Place: Multicolored tablecloths, mismatched dishes and glasses of different shapes and sizes. Centerpieces with fake cakes and giant flowers.


Dress Code: Costumes inspired by characters from the book, such as Alice, the Mad Hatter, the Queen of Hearts, and the Cheshire Cat.






Music: Soundtrack from the film and surreal songs that recall the atmosphere of Wonderland.



Invitations/Menus: Invitations in the shape of a playing card or golden key. Menus printed on cards that look like pages from an old book.





Casino Royale:



Setup: Gaming tables with roulette, blackjack and poker, red and black decorations, and centerpieces with decks of cards and chips.


Entertainment: Professional croupiers to operate table games, prizes for winners and a themed raffle.


Mise en Place: Elegant red and black tableware, silk napkins, cocktail glasses and centerpieces with chips and playing cards.


Dress Code: Elegant evening attire, inspired by the James Bond films. For men, tuxedos; for women, long, sophisticated dresses.



Music: James Bond film soundtracks, followed by sophisticated jazz and pop pieces.




Invitations/Menus: Invitations in the shape of chips or playing cards, menus printed on black card with gold details.






Conclusion:


Choosing the right theme for your 18th birthday party can transform a special event into a truly unforgettable experience. Whether you prefer a glamorous, exotic or retro atmosphere, Salotto Doria can help you create the party of your dreams, taking care of every detail to guarantee a perfect evening. For more information or to book your party, do not hesitate to contact us. We are ready to transform your vision into reality!





Ilaria Buttinelli

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