How to Host a Masquerade Theme Party

The Fun of a Masquerade Theme Party

A masquerade is a delightful and beloved event that everyone enjoys. What makes it special is that you can dress up in disguise and be someone completely different. It’s kind of like a Halloween party in that way, except classier and without all of the spooky connotations. Masquerades are often quite fancy and lavish, but your masquerade theme party can be more casual should you choose. Whether yours is a gala or a basement bash, you can make your masquerade theme party a special and memorable event that everyone loves!

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How to Throw a Masquerade Theme Party

1. Create an Air of Intrigue with Masquerade-Inspired Décor

A masquerade theme party is glamorous. Maybe you don’t go all out with a formal ball (or maybe you do!), but you can at least demonstrate a hint of lavishness. You can usually find inexpensive party supplies if you know where to look. Everyone’s party will look different and that’s the beauty of hosting. I’ve been to everything from delightfully extravagant soirées to humble Solo cup dance parties in crowded apartments, and they are all awesome experiences. So even if you can only spare to decorate with a hint of masquerade-themed decorations, remember that small efforts done with love and enthusiasm go a long way!

Decorate with things like ostrich plumes in vases, or a swath of beautiful black lace draped over furniture or hung from windows or entryways. Dramatic colours like gold, silver and black lend an air of decadent mystery. Sprinkle glittery confetti dots around the table, or display masquerade confetti in small or larger sizes. String up a sparkly mask garland. Serve guests their drinks in masquerade party cups. Dim down any bright lights and cast an elegant evening glow with warm lamps and candles.

In addition to wearing a masquerade mask, consider printing out paper masks to cut out and use for decoration. Tack them up with clear string or fishing wire of different lengths from the ceiling to create an elegant and mysterious ‘floating mask’ scene! Here are just a few fun ones for inspiration:

• Multiple Venetian mask styles
• Black mask
• White mask
• More masks from Masks and Tiaras shop

2. Prepare Masquerade Theme Party Refreshments

A masquerade menu calls for light bites like canapés and other finger foods. Make sure there are enough filling options to keep bellies content, but don’t serve messy or heavy dishes like stews (doesn’t mix well with wearing a mask). A good cheese board goes a long way. Plenty of raw veggies and fruit bites are popular snacks, too. Bake some masquerade mask sugar cookies for a festive treat. For drinks, champagne is always a classic win. Other sparkling bevvies and simple cocktails are also great options, and be sure to include tasty sparkling juices and seltzer waters as well.

It’s easy to spend a lot on food. If you want to keep it thrifty, the key is to prepare your own dishes rather than buy pre-made party platters. This means you need to plan your menu and set aside time to cook/prepare food in advance (included in your time block to-do list below). While that takes a little more effort and preparation on your part, it also gives you more freedom over specific ingredients you provide. This is important for guests with specific dietary restrictions.

3. Set the Ambience with Inspiring Ball Music (or any good dance music)

A traditional masquerade ball welcomes guests with classic music for dancing, such as this masquerade waltz playlist – perfect for dramatic music lovers. If you or anyone can waltz, such thematic music is a must! And it makes for great background music throughout your party. But if you want to encourage your guests to dance, play whatever fun dance music suits the mood and gets everyone energized. A general guideline is to not play anything most people would find stressful (like noise music) or glaringly negative/offensive, or anything that will put people to sleep. Otherwise, get some music you and your guests love and have a fun playlist ready to roll!

4. Plan Masquerade Games or Activities

Murder mysteries rule the masquerade theme party game scene. Here are a few fun digital downloads to check out:

• Murder at the Masquerade (10-20 characters)
• Masquerade Ball Murder Mystery (4-14 characters)
• The Masquerade Murder (12 characters)

Murder mysteries are rather involved and require an extra level of guest participation. So long as people are informed of such when initially invited (see the next section on Guest Participation), this is a really fun way for people to have fun and get in character.

The true spirit of a masquerade is in music and dancing. So play that good music (see section above) and get everyone on their feet and dancing once they’ve had their fill of food and drinks! And if you or any guests can play thematic piano ball music, this event is the time to warm up those fingers and play away. No music keeps the spirit high quite like good live music at a party.

5. Establish Guest Participation

Guest participation involves what extent, if any, you request your guests to contribute to or participate in your party. For a masquerade theme party, wearing a mask is the standard way that guests participate. If anyone needs inspiration, there are loads of masquerade masks available in different shapes, colours, sizes, and prices. If you’d like to make the night extra mysterious, encourage guests to really disguise themselves with a good mask and full costume. The more guests attend, the more exciting and sexier this can be as there will be more ‘mystery’ people to identify! By the way, if you know any identical twins, this is their golden opportunity to fool everyone. Invite them to come extra disguised for a little mischief.

Make sure you inform guests of any participation request/requirement when you initially invite them. That way they can accept if they are free and able to attend, or they can decline if they aren’t interested or can’t attend. You want to make sure people know what they’re accepting! Also, make sure they know whether to dress up or dress casually. No one wants to be the oddball who missed the dress code memo!

Of course, always choose your guests mindfully and with their interests in mind. Prioritize friends who you know would most enjoy a masquerade theme party. But don’t shy away from others who are new to the masquerade concept. You never know, they may have a ball!

Checklist of Items You Need

These are the things you need for this party:

1. Your masquerade mask and/or disguise costume
2. Masquerade-themed decorations
3. Food and beverages
4. A good playlist and speakers (and space cleared for dancing)
5. A fun masquerade murder mystery game (optional)

Preparation Checklist for Your Masquerade Theme Party

1. First, confirm that people can come on any chosen date:

1. Choose party date/time, and preferably alternative date(s) as well
2. Choose guest list and establish minimum number of guests you’d like (to make it worth your effort)
3. Six weeks out, confirm guests’ interest in the party and availability on chosen party date(s)
4. If your preferred minimum number of guests confirm interest and availability, have them secure calendar date for your awesome masquerade theme party!

2. Then, proceed with the fun planning:

1. Schedule time on your calendar for each step of party prep (securing and/or making food/drinks, etc.)
2. Create invitations with all the details and send them out 4 weeks before the party
3. Order any party supplies and decorations 3 weeks out (so they arrive in time to prepare and set up)
4. Shop for any party supplies/decorations you don’t order online, as well as non-perishable food/drinks
5. In your planned time slots, acquire perishable food/drinks early enough in advance to prepare in time
6. In your planned time slots, set up decorations
7. In your planned time slots, prepare food/drinks (depending on how long things keep)

3. Day of Party (in your amply planned time slot):

1. Prepare any foods/drinks that are too fresh to do any earlier
2. Set up any quick/easy last-minute supplies and decorations you didn’t want up before
3. Prepare music and dancing space
4. Get dressed in your party costume/outfit, and have your mask ready to pop on at the first knock
5. Once everything’s ready, meditate or do any preferred self-care to get in a good head space if you aren’t already. You want to be relaxed, energized, and excited. You will be happier, and guests will pick up on your contagiously good vibe and automatically be happier as well – everybody’s best interest!