Here at Jacaranda, we love it when our clients come to us with a different kind of celebration, particularly one with a theme. We’re renowned for providing excellent catering and event management to a whole host of events, but we get particularly excited by the opportunity to go to town, especially when a burlesque themed party calls for a tonne of glitz and glamour, a sprinkling of naughtiness and cheekiness and just a dash of extravagance.
When you’re planning a burlesque themed party, you need to look to the great vaudeville houses such as the Moulin Rouge and Crazy Horse for inspiration. These were lounges dripping in decadence, packed full of promise and decorated in suitably lavish style.
As such, you can really go all out on this theme: great plumes of feathers in tall black trumpet vases, some twisted willow creeping out of them and all set on a mirror plate glittering with candles. We’re thinking cream tablecloths, ruby glassware, gilded charger plates and either scarlet or ebony napkins will complete the look of each table.
We envisage this theme working equally well in a blank canvas setting like a marquee or a venue bursting with its own architectural details like Ramster or Chawton House; whichever venue you choose, be sure to enlist the sumptuous elements that give the space a boudoir-type feel.
Use swags of material to divide up the space with drapes of crushed velvet or suggestive satin to create a tactile environment. Go beyond simply having chair covers and chair sashes and instead create lavish thrones that your guests will want to sink into as they feast, eat and enjoy the entertainment.
Lighting plays an integral part to creating an atmosphere and will be most important to a burlesque themed party. In addition to the natural light of candles across your tables, play with light and shade to create areas of intrigue within the shadows of the room whilst highlighting your fabulous floral displays and centrepieces by positioning spotlights over each table.
Burlesque themed parties work particularly well during the late autumn months, when their suggestive, dark colours meld effortlessly with the long, dark nights. Burlesque makes a great birthday theme, especially for those going all out and enlisting the help of professional dancers and singers who will really capture the mood.
For more inspiration, check out Pinterest or chat to your local florist or event planner to see what wild ideas they can come up with to make your burlesque party memorable and magnificent for your guests!