Host a Masquerade Ball

Creating mystery and excitement is easy when you host a masquerade ball. With a creative theme, hosting can be a lot of fun.  You can create a magical evening with careful planning and attention that your guests will remember for a lifetime.

Theme

Make your masquerade a memorable experience for your guests by creating a theme.  You can choose from these creative and popular ideas:

• Venetian Carnival: This theme draws inspiration from the famous Venetian carnival, which dates back to the 12th century. Think colorful masks, elaborate costumes, and plenty of feathers and beads.
• A Gothic Masquerade has a dark, romantic vibe with dramatic costumes, masks, and decor. Black velvet, lace, and candles are the perfect combination.
• A Steampunk Masquerade Ball combines Victorian fashion with industrial elements, creating a unique and creative masquerade ball. Accessorize with leather accessories, goggles, and top hats.
• Masquerade Ball in the Enchanted Forest: This theme is surrounded by greenery, flowers, and twinkling lights. Imagine ethereal masks and costumes resembling fairies and woodland creatures.
• The Masquerade Ball in the Moulin Rouge features elements of French burlesque and is inspired by the famous Parisian cabaret. Feathers, sequins, and bold colors are the order of the day.
• Masquerade Ball in the Roaring Twenties: This theme celebrates flapper dresses, fedoras, and art deco décor of the 1920s.

Create your Guest List

Organize your masquerade ball well in advance and invite your guests. You will need a venue that can accommodate the number of guests you plan to invite.  Is the event small and intimate that you can host in your own home or is it a large fun-raising event that requires a large space.    Make sure you get your guests’ RSVPs so you can plan accordingly.

Find a Venue

In order for your masquerade to be a success, you need to carefully select the venue.  Make sure the venue has enough space for dancing, entertainers, and any other activities you plan.  Find a venue that can accommodate your guest list and a date that works for your guests.

Venue Options;

Take a look at these great venue options that might be close to you based on your theme.

• Castles or mansions: These elegant and sophisticated settings are perfect for masquerade balls. They often have ballrooms and large reception areas, perfect for dancing and socializing.
• Using museums or art galleries as a backdrop for a masquerade ball can create an engaging and creative atmosphere. Some museums and galleries may also have outdoor spaces that can be used for the event.
• Opera houses or theaters: These venues offer a dramatic and theatrical atmosphere for a masquerade ball, with their ornate architecture and plush seating. Many of these venues also have large stages that can be used for live entertainment.
• Hotels and event spaces: Most hotels and event spaces have ballrooms or banquet halls that are perfect for masquerade balls. On staff, they often have experienced event planners who can assist with the details and logistics.

More Exclusive Venues

If you are looking for a more intimate and exclusive masquerade party venue, private clubs and social halls can be an excellent choice.  They often feature unique decor, as well as customized catering and entertainment options.  For a masquerade that’s full of mystery and allure, think velvet drapes and secluded corners.  Located in Melbourne, Masque Bar is a decadent and elegant space with drapes and nooks for seating.  Your decorating work has already been completed in large part.

Alternatively, you could host at home and decorate based on your theme. Embrace your theme by decorating with masks, feathers, and other decorations.  If you’re hosting a winter masquerade, think white paper cutout snowflakes, white twinkling fairy lights, white cushions and throws for the couch, and white icicle curtains. 

Get your guests to wear masks that match the theme, and provide extra masks for those who forget or don’t have them. Masks are available online from Creative Costumes, or you can make your own with paper, feathers, and glitter.

Decorations and Dress Code

To make it easy to host a masquerade ball, select decorations that fit your theme, such as masks, candles, lights and flowers. Decorate the venue appropriately to create a sophisticated and elegant atmosphere.  Set a theme-related dress code for your guests to add more sparkle. For a Venetian masquerade, you can wear Venetian costumes that match your masks, which will really add to the ambiance.  If it’s a formal masquerade, maybe dinner suits and evening frocks will make it more sophisticated.  Get creative with your masks and encourage your guests to do so.  Our favorite masks were those attached to headbands so you didn’t have to hold them and masks painted on a face with face paint, glitter, and gemstones.

Entertainment & Menu

If you want music that fits your theme, hire a live band or DJ. To set the swingin’ vibe for a roarin’ 20s masquerade, hire a jazz band.  Make sure you have room on the dance floor to learn the Charleston or the Lindy Hop with your guests.  The best part about live music is you can customize the music to fit any occasion.

Decide on a menu that fits your theme and will appeal to your guests. Make a menu of finger foods and drinks that match the theme. You can serve cocktails like the “Masked Ball” or the “Mardi Gras Punch” or finger foods like shrimp cocktail, mini quiches, and cheese puffs.

Show off your guests’ creativity and unique costumes and masks with a costume contest. Offer prizes like gift certificates to local restaurants or champagne bottles for the winners.  Plan an unmasking hour where guests can take off their masks and really let loose.

Photos Or Photo Booth

Hire a professional photographer to capture your masquerade ball memories. You may also want to provide disposable cameras for your guests to use throughout the evening. Photo booths are great because you can add themed props that match the theme and entertain your guests at the same time.

Using these steps, you can throw a masquerade ball everyone will remember.  Ultimately, the best masquerade ball theme is one that fits your style and vision. Get creative and have fun with it!