What would you do for love?
If you ask Jay Gatsby, there is no expense too great when you're seeking to impress a long-lost flame. This literary lover's sterling soirees were bright, energetic beacons intended to draw the lovely Daisy Buchanan back to his side.
Great Gatsby couple dress in 1920s attire
Razzle Dazzle With a Dress Code
The 1920s was a daring time for fashion. We began to see the rise of "the new woman," another word for flappers. Ladies at all levels of society began reaching for more daring hemlines, boxier silhouettes, and stunning art deco details.
It also marked the rise of notorious gangsters like Al Capone and Peaky Blinders. Men began to emulate their style, favoring three-piece suits and flat caps.
Encourage masculine guests to wear suits in light, bright colors and hues with a fedora or derby hat. Feminine guests might wear a flashy cocktail or flapper-inspired dress with a feathered or beaded headpiece.
The Sounds of the Jazz Age
Did you know that Great Gatsby author F. Scott Fitzgerald coined the term "The Jazz Age?" The sound of the roaring 20s was just as lavish as the rest of this stand-out decade, featuring multi-instrument ensembles playing high-energy music that made everyone want to get up and do the Charleston! The post-war boom allowed many people to own records and play the biggest hits in their homes.
Jazz music is an essential element of Great Gatsby themed party entertainment. You might choose to hire a vintage jazz band, a swing band, or a postmodern jukebox-style band for the event. Your musicians will arrive dressed for the era, adding another aesthetic touch.
A Profusive Party Venue
Gatsby hosted his famous parties in a Gold Coast mansion on Long Island, New York. In modern currency, his home would cost over £70 million! You might be pondering how to throw a Great Gatsby themed party without the exorbitant setting, but we believe it's possible!
Still, the venue can make a difference if you choose wisely. Your best bet is to host it at a large estate or palatial event hall that evokes the gold coast aesthetic. If possible, choose a building in the art deco architectural style that was popular during Gatsby's heyday.
Decorate With Decadence
The art deco movement inspired much of the design and decor during the roaring 20s. Once you understand what makes this movement distinct, you'll have no trouble choosing period-inspired decorations.
An art deco-inspired photo backdrop makes a stunning feature at a Gatsby party. You can create your own using Luan and painter's tape.
Birthday decorations
Paint your Luan in your accent color, then tape out your design. With painter's tape, geometric patterns such as chevrons are easiest. Paint over the design, let it dry, and then remove the tape to reveal the color underneath.
Gatsby's parties were also known for their lights. String lights and lanterns will add a magical touch to your setting.
Inspire a Speakeasy Vibe
The Great Gatsby takes place in America during prohibition. At the time, the sale (but not the consumption) of alcohol was illegal. If flappers wanted a good time, they had to track down a speakeasy, an underground establishment where bootleggers sold alcohol in secret.
While bootlegging was punishable by hefty fines or jailing, it was an innocuous crime. In the novel, Gatsby uses bootlegging as a front to cover up his more nefarious money laundering schemes. He has no trouble sourcing spirits to deck out his open bar, offering "old-fashioned" cocktails, even for the period!
With that said, don't forget to incorporate alcohol (or mocktails) into your celebration!
Moonshine in Mason jars
To lean into the speakeasy inspiration, place your bar in a separate room and require a password to enter. You might serve drinks in moonshine-inspired mason jars. Include cocktails named after the characters, such as a Long Island Iced Tea for Nick Carraway or an elevated mint julep for Daisy Buchanan.
A Feast Fit for an Old Money Heiress
Speakeasies were intimate spaces where guests got up close and personal when they wanted to dance! The food that those revelers enjoyed couldn't take up too much space! Hors d'oeuvres and passed apps were a hit at rollicking jazz-infused celebrations like Gatsby's.
The main course is a great place to lean into the over-the-top concept of "a party thrown by a millionaire." Make it a sumptuous sit-down feast! The wealthy elite would have enjoyed a soup and salad course.
For the main dish, you might allow guests to choose from baked ham or turkey, which Gatsby served at his event. Any fancy sit-down dinner should be enough to evoke the era, however!
Roaring Entertainment Options
Eating and dancing will keep your guests busy for most of the night. Even so, you might want to offer some entertainment options to keep guests occupied if they need a rest!
Some hosts choose to turn their Great Gatsby themed party into a 20s-themed murder mystery event. You can bring in an outside company or plan your own dinner theater performance featuring your friends! This option requires a lot of planning and commitment and is only ideal if you want to add structure to your event.
You might include a few decks of playing cards at each table, including the directions for some popular games from the decade. Guests can open up a pack and take a break. It will only add to the ambiance!
You can also have a dance contest during the evening! Some hosts choose to bring in an expert to teach the dances of the period. You can also hire professional swing dancers to perform!
Jazz Up Your Great Gatsby Themed Party
The jazz age was a time of opulence, dancing, and gilded dreams. Things may not have worked out for Gatsby, but he sure knew how to have a good time! Throwing a Great Gatsby themed party is one way to embrace the dynamic era with a gorgeous, cohesive aesthetic that guests will adore.
You can tie your evening together when you hire a vintage jazz band, swing band, or postmodern jazz ensemble to play at your event. Our high-energy ensembles will ensure that your guests take to the dance floor and stay there! Contact us today so we can connect you with the perfect musical act for your Gatsby-inspired affair.
