13 Ideas for a 'Great Gatsby' Theme Party

Evoke the 1920s with flappers, champagne, and other style ideas.

Jenny Berg
May 6, 2013

As you may have heard, Baz Luhrmann's adaptation of The Great Gatsby hits the big screen on Friday. The classic novel doesn't skimp on the party scenes, and Jay Gatsby's famously decadent style has been an enduring inspiration for event planners. From dressing greeters as flappers to using mini champagne bottles in lieu of place cards, here are 13 fun ideas for 1920s-style soirees—which, we predict, will be on an upswing for the next several months.

Moët & Chandon's 'Great Gatsby' Premiere After-Party
Moët & Chandon hosted an after-party for the New York premiere of the film at the Plaza in New York. The evening began with a festive procession, which saw costumed performers making their way through the crowd holding champagne bottles from 1921 and sparklers.
Moët & Chandon hosted an after-party for the New York premiere of the film at the Plaza in New York. The evening began with a festive procession, which saw costumed performers making their way through the crowd holding champagne bottles from 1921 and sparklers. 
Photo: Dave Allocca/Startraksphoto.com
Washington Ballet's Inaugural Soiree
At the 2011 fete, ballerinas performed an excerpt from the ballet The Great Gatsby just before the live auction and DJ began.
At the 2011 fete, ballerinas performed an excerpt from the ballet The Great Gatsby just before the live auction and DJ began.
Photo: Tony Brown/imijphoto.com
Washington Ballet's Inaugural Soiree
Entertainers dressed as 1920s flappers served as greeters.
Entertainers dressed as 1920s flappers served as greeters.
Photo: Tony Brown/imijphoto.com
"Love in the Air" Event at the New York Botanical Garden
Live musical acts are borrowing inspiration from the evocative 1920s period. Costumed entertainers took the stage at a collaboration between the New York Botanical Garden and Stephen Starr Events in March.
Live musical acts are borrowing inspiration from the evocative 1920s period. Costumed entertainers took the stage at a collaboration between the New York Botanical Garden and Stephen Starr Events in March.
Photo: Lina Jang Photographers
Wedding by Swank Productions
A Great Gatsby-themed wedding planned by Swank Productions Inc. featured escort cards arranged inside of a vintage card catalog.
A Great Gatsby-themed wedding planned by Swank Productions Inc. featured escort cards arranged inside of a vintage card catalog.
Photo: Sean T. Smith
Lincoln Park Zoo’s Zoo Ball: “The Great Catsby”
The Chicago zoo’s July benefit had a theme inspired by The Great Gatsby. Designers from Frost and Event Creative aimed to bring an East Coast-mansion feel to HDO Productions’ dinner tent, stringing bunches of chandeliers over the dance floor.
The Chicago zoo’s July benefit had a theme inspired by The Great Gatsby. Designers from Frost and Event Creative aimed to bring an East Coast-mansion feel to HDO Productions’ dinner tent, stringing bunches of chandeliers over the dance floor.
Photo: Photo: Alain Milotti
The Plaza's Moët & Chandon Pop-Up
In celebration of the upcoming film, the Plaza recently transformed its champagne bar into a Moët & Chandon pop-up. The space holds an old-fashioned champagne cart, meant to resemble a fixture at one of Gatsby's parties.
In celebration of the upcoming film, the Plaza recently transformed its champagne bar into a Moët & Chandon pop-up. The space holds an old-fashioned champagne cart, meant to resemble a fixture at one of Gatsby's parties.
Photo: Courtesy of The Park
A 1920s-Style Setup From BBJ Linen and A Perfect Event
A Perfect Event and BBJ Linen recently collaborated on a Great Gatsby-inspired birthday celebration in Chicago. Customized, mini champagne bottles stood in for place cards at each setting. BBJ's pearl-strewn napkin rings evoked the fashions of the jazz age, while A Perfect Event's ostrich-feather place mats, orchids in silver dip-dyed glasses, and gilded Moroccan votive holders 'added true Jay Gatsby excess to the tables,' said Debi Lilly of A Perfect Event.
A Perfect Event and BBJ Linen recently collaborated on a Great Gatsby-inspired birthday celebration in Chicago. Customized, mini champagne bottles stood in for place cards at each setting. BBJ's pearl-strewn napkin rings evoked the fashions of the jazz age, while A Perfect Event's ostrich-feather place mats, orchids in silver dip-dyed glasses, and gilded Moroccan votive holders "added true Jay Gatsby excess to the tables," said Debi Lilly of A Perfect Event.
Photo: Courtesy of a Perfect Event
A 1920s-Style Setup From Revel Decor
Revel Decor recently brought in 1920s-style decor for a photo shoot with Carasco Photography at the Art Institute of Chicago. BBJ provided Art Deco-style linens while Okyne Medialab brought in sepia-hued lighting.
Revel Decor recently brought in 1920s-style decor for a photo shoot with Carasco Photography at the Art Institute of Chicago. BBJ provided Art Deco-style linens while Okyne Medialab brought in sepia-hued lighting.
Photo: Carasco Photography
A 1920s-Style Setup From Revel Decor
For the photo shoot, Hall's provided vintage-style champagne glasses, including a coupe adorned with polka dots.
For the photo shoot, Hall's provided vintage-style champagne glasses, including a coupe adorned with polka dots.
Photo: Carasco Photography
A 1920s-Style Setup From Jewell Events Catering
At a 1920s-style private event in Chicago, Jewell Events Catering served a blackberry-champagne sorbet intermezzo in a cored apple. The palate cleanser was presented on Hall's Gothic Gold china set on gold Sunburst chargers, with Amber glassware; Private Label Linen created custom, Art Deco-style linens.
At a 1920s-style private event in Chicago, Jewell Events Catering served a blackberry-champagne sorbet intermezzo in a cored apple. The palate cleanser was presented on Hall's Gothic Gold china set on gold Sunburst chargers, with Amber glassware; Private Label Linen created custom, Art Deco-style linens.
Photo: Courtesy of Jewell Events Catering
The AdBall
Toronto's AdBall, held at the Mod Club on January 31, had a Great Gatsby theme. Performers dressed in period garb entertained on a digital runway created by 5th Element Events; later in the evening, the runway held a fashion show that featured ad industry bigwigs as models.
Toronto's AdBall, held at the Mod Club on January 31, had a Great Gatsby theme. Performers dressed in period garb entertained on a digital runway created by 5th Element Events; later in the evening, the runway held a fashion show that featured ad industry bigwigs as models.
Photo: Stefania Yarhi
American Harvest Organic Spirit Launch Party
Event Creative designer Meredith Treinen brought an East Coast look to the Ivy Room for the spirit's launch party in Chicago last summer. Decorative elements included fresh wheat in birch containers, blue hydrangeas in wood boxes, and votive-filled Mason jars. Lighting cast leafy projections on the walls.
Event Creative designer Meredith Treinen brought an East Coast look to the Ivy Room for the spirit's launch party in Chicago last summer. Decorative elements included fresh wheat in birch containers, blue hydrangeas in wood boxes, and votive-filled Mason jars. Lighting cast leafy projections on the walls.
Photo: AveryHouse
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