Black and White is the Ultimate Classic Colour Duo
Of all the colour party themes, black and white is the ultimate classic. It’s a colour combo that withstands the test of time and is always an attractive choice. That’s why it’s also such a popular aesthetic for interior décor. But even if your home isn’t decked out in black and white, you can always embrace this beautiful colour scheme with a black and white party. Here we will explore plenty of gorgeous decorations, party supplies, fun food ideas, and more inspiration to get your black and white party planning started!
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How to Throw a Black and White Party
1. Create a Luxurious Black and White Decorated Space
As with any colour theme party, a black and white party is all about the visual aesthetic. Most other party details can be totally catered to your taste. But the look of your space is what makes a black and white party what it is.
A black and white aesthetic has a sleek and sophisticated appeal. It also borders on mysterious and edgy, quirky, or even sexy. So have fun with it! You can opt for plain black and plain white in block colours, or you can embrace the many patterns such as chequered, striped, polka-dot, marble, etc.
There are plenty of creative ways to decorate your space in black and white. While decorating can get pricy depending on how elaborate you get, you can usually find inexpensive party supplies if you know where to look. And not only can you use handsome black and white party decorations, but you can also mix plain black decorations with plain white decorations for the same effect. Check out several great options below!
Serveware:
- Black and white fun straws or black and white spiral-striped straws
- Black and white party supplies (16 plates, utensils, cups, napkins, tablecloth, balloons)
- Black and white plates and napkins (polka dots and stripes, set of 32)
- Black and white striped plates (set of 12)
- Black and white geometric-patterned plates (set of 10)
Party decorations and décor:
- Black and white paper fans or these black and white paper fans
- Black and white pennant banner
- Black and white marble taper candles
- Black and white marble balloons (I don’t normally recommend balloons but these are unique!)
- Black streamer
- Black foil fringe curtain
- White ostrich plumes (set of 12) or set of 5 ostrich plumes – display in one of the vases below
- White decorative pampas grass (set of 15 pieces) – display in one of the vases below
- Black and white striped ceramic vase
- Biodegradable 3D-printed black or white long-neck vase
- Biodegradable-material 3D-printed black or white ripple-textured vase
And if you especially love black and white stripes, don’t miss this selection of fun black and white striped décor for your home!
2. Prepare Black and White Food and Beverages
Time to get crafty with your menu! Whether you provide all refreshments or whether you request that guests bring a dish to share, food is a great way to engage your guests in a black and white theme through their sense of taste.
Your black and white food options range from quite healthy (black rice) to quite unhealthy (Oreos). Embrace this diversity! Here are some more fun ideas:
- Platter of dark chocolates and white chocolates
- Black beans and white rice (such as gallo pinto)
- Blackberries and shredded coconut
- Black olives and feta cheese
- Black tea and milk
- White Russian and black coffee
- Chocolate cupcakes with vanilla frosting
- Black and white cookies
3. Set the Ambience with the Perfect Playlist and Evocative Scents
Background music plays an understated but important role for the general mood of a party. While there aren’t necessarily specific types of music that correspond with specific colours, the vibe of an elegant black and white party complements certain music genres better than others. Something classy (such as a tango) or sexy (such as a triphop) nicely fit this theme. But, as mentioned above, there is no one-size-fits-all for your choice of audio. Play what you like and that you also think is most fitting for a black and white party vibe. Because ultimately, the best way to enjoy music at any party is to play what makes you (and hopefully also your guests) feel happy! Just prioritize your favourite types of music that best match the classy black and white ambience.
Now: in addition to the sights, tastes, and sounds of a black and white party, consider the scents to fully immerse your guests in this theme. Engage the evocative sense of smell by burning one of these delicious-smelling black and white candles:
- Black and white yin yang scented candle (black vanilla and white coconut)
- Black and white Bombshell-scented candle (a Victoria Secret scent)
- Black and white marble scented candle
4. Establish Guest Participation
Guest participation is optional and depends on how you’d like your guests to participate or contribute to your party. Maybe you request that guests bring a dish to share. Maybe you invite them to BYOB. The most fitting way your guests can specifically participate in a black and white party is to wear a black and white outfit. Or invite them to dress in either all black or all white. You can even make a game of it and make up party ‘rules’ for whichever group of guests dresses in the colour that fewer choose! Whatever type of participation you request, just be sure to include all relevant details when you initially invite your guests.
Checklist of Items You Need
These are the things you need for a black and white party:
- Black and white party decorations
- Black and white refreshments
- An inspired music playlist
- Black and white scented candles
- Black and white outfit
Preparation Checklist for Your Black and White Party
1. First, confirm that people can come on any chosen date:
- Choose party date/time, and preferably alternative date(s) as well
- Choose guest list and establish minimum number of guests you’d like (to make it worth your effort)
- Six weeks out, confirm guests’ interest in the party and availability on chosen party date(s)
- If your preferred minimum number of guests confirm interest and availability, have them secure calendar date for your chic black and white party!
2. Then, proceed with the fun planning:
- Schedule time on your calendar for each step of party prep (securing and/or making food/drinks, etc.)
- Create invitations with all the details and send them out 4 weeks before the party
- Order any party supplies and decorations 3 weeks out (so they arrive in time to prepare and set up)
- Shop for any party supplies/decorations you don’t order online, as well as non-perishable food/drinks
- In your planned time slots, acquire perishable food/drinks early enough in advance to prepare in time
- In your planned time slots, set up decorations
- In your planned time slots, prepare food/drinks (depending on how long things keep)
3. Day of Party (in your amply planned time slot):
- Prepare any foods/drinks that are too fresh to do any earlier
- Set up any quick/easy last-minute supplies and decorations (if not up already)
- Prepare ambience (music, candles)
- Get dressed in your black and white party outfit
- Once everything’s ready, take some time to meditate or do whatever preferred self-care that puts you in a good head space. It’s important that you, too, enjoy your own party which you’ve so cleverly put together! Your guests will likewise pick up on your contagiously happy vibe, a win for everyone. Above all, have fun with the planning process, and enjoy spending time with your friends at your killer black and white party!
