Few things are quite as exciting as planning a party, and whether the occasion is a birthday, anniversary or an engagement, getting your friends and family together for a celebration is almost guaranteed to be one of the highlights of the year.
If you’re looking to pull out all of the stops in 2023 to spoil someone special, or to throw a memorable bash that will leave people talking about if for months afterwards – for all the right reasons, of course – then here are some of the best no-expense-spared ideas and themes for a lavish and extravagant night of fun, without ever compromising on style and sophistication.
Hollywood glamour
Inject the glitz and sophistication of the showbiz world into your event with an extravagant Hollywood glamour-inspired party, and it’s almost certain to go down as the event of the year. Stylish and refined in every way, it has all of the ingredients required for a lavish and tasteful night, and is bound to get your guest list talking for all the right reasons and elevate your social status to never-seen-before heights.
Set a ‘red carpet ready’ dress code to invite your guests to get their glad rags on, with glittering floor-length gowns and tuxedos the order of the day. Opt for glittering gold and diamond-encrusted décor to set the tone for the night, bring in a jazz or swing band for some classic and tasteful entertainment, and keep the champagne flowing, no matter what.
Fairground
Getting the entertainment right is one of the most difficult tasks when it comes to planning a party, and finding something that encourages everyone to get involved and promotes laughter and fun is the key to a memorable event. Going with a fairground theme, however, is a sure-fire way to tick all of the right boxes and get all of your guests screaming in delight and riding an adrenaline high throughout.
Most fairground hire companies will provide everything from simple helter-skelters and revolving teacup rides for younger guests, to fast and furious rides for the more daring. Invite everyone to dress for the occasion and provide lavish fairground-themed refreshments throughout – think candy floss cocktails and bite-sized canapes of some traditional fairground favourites – and it’s guaranteed to be a fun-filled night to remember.
Wine tasting
For a smaller-scale event with a very selective guest list, a wine tasting evening is about as sophisticated as you can get – and if your closest friends just so happen to be wine enthusiasts, then you’re onto a winner. Whilst you could easily run this one alone, to really appeal to the connoisseurs of the group, splurge on bringing in one of the world’s most knowledgeable sommeliers to take you through the evening, and ensure that there are plenty of fine wines on hand from various regions across the globe to make things that little bit more interesting.
To keep your guests well-satiated, cheese and charcuterie platters are a great way to go, and if you can source them from the same regions of your wines to complement them, then even better. A chic and sophisticated celebration that’s certain to appeal to those with refined tastes, a wine tasting event isn’t just a great way to get your nearest and dearest together for a celebration, but to ensure everyone leaves feeling they’ve learned a little something, too.
Pool party
If you’ve been dying to show off your holiday home in Europe, then inviting your friends and family to stay for a weekend or longer this summer and throwing an extravagant pool party in the sunshine is certain to go down a treat.
A private villa is the perfect backdrop for a sophisticated soiree, and does most of the hard work for you when it comes to setting the tone for the event – along with the excellent summer weather. Fill your pool with fun inflatables like Rihanna’s famous unicorn so that there’s plenty of space for guests to float around relaxing with a glass of champagne and soaking up some rays, and bring in a talented DJ to pump out some Ibiza-inspired tunes. Ensure your staff are circulating with freshly shaken cocktails and canapes based around fresh, local seafood, and it’ll be the event of the summer.
The bottom line
When it comes to throwing an incredible party to remember, there are plenty of lavish and extravagant ideas that promise to make it a special one. The most important thing? Getting the guest list right, as ultimately, it’s all about who you share the occasion with.
