Why is it so important to develop a theme for an event, wedding, or party? The use of a "THEME" tends to improve your overall event and adds a memorable and festive touch for you and your guests. A theme will help focus attention on a main topic and provide a unifying factor which will pull the whole event together. Developing a theme will keep your affair from looking disjointed or like you planned it haphazardly. Incorporate your theme into all areas of planning - invitations, publicity, registration, food, decorations, entertainment...by doing so you will create anticipation, build a foundation, solidify your focus and reinforce the overall effect.

Choosing a Theme: An easy way to choose a theme is to shop for the paper goods, plates and napkins first. Build a theme around the picture or print on the plates and paper goods. This will always give your event a natural tie-in with the coordinating decorations.

There are so many sources from which to draw when choosing a theme. You may want to use an occupation, movie, cartoon character, hobby, special event, romantic place, sport, song, poem, book title, historical era or decade, foreign country, childhood memory or brainstorm your own ideas.

Certain motifs may be more expected, especially if you choose to celebrate around the holidays. Choose themes where you can vary the motif somewhat. For example if you choose a Christmas theme, try using angels, snowmen, or bells, if you choose to use Valentine's Day, try using cupids, arrows, or animal prints.

If you use a nature theme incorporate the use of plants, flowers, trees and include a variety of colors and textures. The use of butterflies or birds brings a lovely touch of nature to your theme. Use geographic regions in nature to pull a theme together such as a beach, mountain, lake, or island setting.

If you have a special hobby or collection, you could use these items in decorating; as a centerpiece, wall hanging, or special display. Perhaps a friend or family member has a unique collection and would like to share or rent their items for an evening or a day. Many people have great collections of angels, snowmen, dolls, bells or other items related to a particular theme. The possibilities are endless.

Creative Elements

Motif: The motif is the visual representation of your theme, which is created by the use of objects or symbols. If you use the theme "Friendship" you may want to incorporate the use of a rainbow or teacups to represent promises and special times spent together. This symbol may be repeated on your invitations, program, plates, or decorations. Sometimes the use of several different symbols will be used as complimentary components of the theme.
A Scottish theme may suggest using the family crest, bagpipes, kilts, or Celtic music. Use a favorite movie or comic strip character and add movie scripts, newspaper clippings, caricatures, directors chair, old movie posters or comedy and tragedy faces.

Develop your motif using a list of words related to the theme. Brainstorm a list to create your bank of ideas. This list is very important for generating ideas that can be applied to all areas of the event. For a Parisian theme you might come up with words like cafe, arches, artist, Eiffel Tower, springtime, April, or rain showers.

Mood: Decide on what atmosphere or mood you want to create. This is where you want to refer back to your bank of words you brainstormed. Add words to the list that will equally portray the mood. If you choose a mediaeval theme you may include rich heavy brocade and velvet fabric, use Gothic lettering on your programs or invitations. Create a feel and a mood that is uniform throughout the setting.

Color: You'll want to select a color scheme to use throughout your decorating. Two or three colors usually work well and are easy to coordinate. Colors will make a big impact so be sure they are ones that will compliment your theme. Pastels do well with spring, flowers, garden, or country themes. Mix one or two rich solid colors with a theme pattern for a dramatic effect. Mardi Gras would suggest the use of purple, green and gold. Purple represents justice, green represents faith, and gold represents power. Bold solid colors add to the carnival atmosphere if you use Fat Tuesday as a theme.

Texture: Incorporating texture will make things look and feel interesting. Textures will amplify the atmosphere you are creating. Try using live trees and plants, fabric backdrops, or bales of hay instead of chairs. For a royal or medieval theme you could use silks, satins, velvet, pearls...nautical themes might be better suited to cottons & linen, beach sand and shells.

Mesh: It is important for your event to blend or mesh together. Again, apply varying elements for your motif, create a special mood, accentuate the use of color, and add interest using textures. Blend your theme into a cohesive "mesh" throughout your event. A celebration with a solid foundation will appear well organized with a uniform effect. Using motifs, mood, color, and texture all communicate a message of your theme and add...the emotion...the voice...and the spirit to your event.

Author: Diane Pollitt / Party Consultant
mailto:partymerchant@ivillage.com
http://www.partymerchant.com
Contact Diane for additional resources.