Thread: Help with Masked Ball idea

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I've just decided that the theme for this years party is going to be a masked ball. I have NO IDEA what I want to do to decorate! HELP!!! I'm not going to ask people to be really dressy just that they wear a mask or painted face with whatever costume they choose.

I need some sort of ideas. I plan on using my living room and kitchen plus backyard for the party. Of course budget is an obstacle but I'm pretty creative and can improvise!

A masquerade ball sounds like a lot of fun!! When I think of masquerades, I picture Victorian, so you could decorate like a gothic manor or I think of New Orleans, Mardi Gras.

Originally Posted by Tannasgach

A masquerade ball sounds like a lot of fun!! When I think of masquerades, I picture Victorian, so you could decorate like a gothic manor or I think of New Orleans, Mardi Gras.

Agreed. Unless you want to go the Phantom of The Opera route with obscene amounts of candles and crypts and draped fabric and mirrors. I have also seen some great centerpieces with black feathers and cheap spray painted masks.

A word of advice; if you are making masks mandatory, have a few cheap ones on hand. Someone will forget.

I'm planning on requesting masks or face paint but making it clear that its not mandatory. I'll definitely have a few of the cheaper masks around that way if people see everyone else with masks they might decide they want one...

So how would I do Victorian? I plan on having a bunch of tress in my yard strung with lights... I guess gold and silver would be good colors.

When I think of masked ball, I think of baroque. I would look for really over the top candelabras at thrift stores, and maybe some picture frames as well. If you are able to find some really dramatic frames you can switch out the pictures and put in mirrors.
Good luck, sounds like fun.

Baroque, as in Marie Antoinette style? That's definitely speaks masquerade. Good idea!

I did a Victorian Gothic Manor party one year, to sum it up in one word - lace. Lots of tattered, torn and tea-dyed lace! Lace curtains, lace tablecloths, lace doileys.... Tarnished silver, red velvet, black roses, lots of skulls and you can never go wrong with spiders and webbing.

Lace!!! Thats great. I don't know why I'm so stumped on this idea. I'm going to cover the furniture with white sheets to make it look like the house has been closed up too.

Originally Posted by sarahtigr

I'm planning on requesting masks or face paint but making it clear that its not mandatory. I'll definitely have a few of the cheaper masks around that way if people see everyone else with masks they might decide they want one...

So how would I do Victorian? I plan on having a bunch of tress in my yard strung with lights... I guess gold and silver would be good colors.

add some maroon to that. i usually see that color in masquerade themed parties

I completely agree with ya'll. For a darker look, maybe use black lace. Ohhh how sexy and sinister would that be? Black lace, blood red roses and silver candle holders & platters. P.S. check your local Dollar Tree/any dollar store for plastic 'silver' platters. I've seen them in many dollar stores and it would really help on a budget! Most definately go nuts with the webs and candles to give your home that old mansion feel. Creepy portraits hanging on the walls would really add to the atmosphere too. For a real authentic look though, print some actual black & white photos from the 1800's and put em in dollar store frames.

I would suggest if you can find an inexpensive source for fabric, you could drape the fabric of the colors you choose for the theme around (you can use it on walls, ceilings, chair, tables) and I think that would give a nice 'masquerade ball' feel without a lot of added expense or difficulty.