Vintage Vogue
A Complete Planning Guide for a Vintage Inspired Birthday Party
If you’re craving a night of high fashion, old-school glamour, and timeless elegance, a Vintage Vogue Night themed birthday party is the perfect choice. This soirée will transport you and your guests back to the golden age of fashion, think 1920s flapper dresses, Hollywood stars, and Parisian chic, all mixed with a modern flair. Whether you're into the opulent 1950s or the art-deco 1920s, this theme is all about channeling vintage vibes and sophistication, so let’s dive into how to make it an unforgettable evening.
The Planning
Vintage Glam Decor
Creating the perfect atmosphere for a Vintage Vogue Night involves blending old-world charm with modern elegance. The goal is to evoke a sense of timeless luxury, so make your venue feel like a posh, vintage fashion show or a classy Hollywood gala.
Lighting: Soft & Glamorous
Crystal Chandeliers: If you have access to a venue with chandeliers, let them shine! If not, you can hang a few elegant faux crystal chandeliers or string lights to create an ethereal glow.
Candlelight: Use gold or silver candle holders with soft ivory or black candles to add a touch of vintage charm.
Spotlights: For added drama, incorporate soft spotlights to highlight certain areas like the dance floor or a photo booth.
Furniture & Table Setup:
Retro Furnishings: Opt for antique-style furniture—think vintage armchairs, velvet couches, or gold-accented chairs. If you’re renting, look for plush seating in deep tones like emerald green, ruby red, or royal blue.
Glamorous Table Settings: Use vintage china, gold-rimmed glasses, and elegant cloth napkins. For the centerpiece, think tall vases with classic flowers like roses or lilies.
Black, Gold & Ivory Color Palette: The base color scheme should focus on black, gold, ivory, and pops of rich jewel tones to reflect that glamorous vintage vibe.
Additional Decor:
Vintage Fashion Posters: Frame black-and-white fashion posters or magazine covers from the 1920s-1950s. You can even recreate famous Vogue covers and display them around the party space.
Draped Fabrics: Add velvet or satin fabric drapes in rich colors along walls or doorways to create a luxurious environment.
Antique Mirrors: Place vintage mirrors around the venue to give your space a touch of old Hollywood glam.
Fabulous Menu – Elegant & Classic Cocktails & Bites
Your menu should reflect the glamour and sophistication of the past. Think classic cocktails, bite-sized delicacies, and indulgent desserts that evoke a sense of chic luxury.
Signature Cocktails:
Classic Martini: A timeless drink, served with a twist of lemon or a couple of olives. Keep it clean and simple.
French 75: A blend of gin, champagne, lemon juice, and a touch of sugar—perfect for those who love bubbly elegance.
Whiskey Sour: For a slightly stronger, old-fashioned cocktail, serve up whiskey sours made with bourbon, lemon, and a dash of bitters.
The Sidecar: This iconic drink, made with brandy, orange liqueur, and lemon juice, brings a bit of French sophistication to your party.
Elegant Appetizers:
Caviar on Blinis: Serve small, delicate blinis topped with caviar for an authentic vintage treat.
Mini Pâté en Croûte: A decadent French pastry filled with savory pâté—mini versions will add a luxurious touch.
Deviled Eggs: A classic appetizer that never goes out of style, with a bit of paprika on top for a dash of color.
Shrimp Cocktail: This retro favorite served with tangy cocktail sauce is perfect for those craving something light but flavorful.
Caprese Salad Skewers: Cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil, drizzled with balsamic glaze for a fresh bite.
Delectable Desserts:
Vintage Pastry Platters: Think of delicate French pastries like macarons, éclairs, and madeleines for a truly elegant dessert table.
Mini Tarts: Serve small, individual tarts with lemon, berry, or chocolate filling for an indulgent, bite-sized treat.
Champagne Jelly: A glamorous and retro dessert made with champagne, perfect for adding a bit of sparkle to your menu.
Dress Code – Old Hollywood Elegance & Vintage Chic
When it comes to dressing for your Vintage Vogue Night, the goal is to channel iconic fashion eras. Think Old Hollywood glam and encourage guests to look back at old Vogue Issues and celebrities for inspiration! Here’s what to tell your guests to wear:
For Women:
Glamorous Gowns: For those who want to embody Hollywood Glam, opt for floor-length gowns in metallics, jewel tones, or classic black. Look for satin, velvet, or silk fabrics that give off a luxurious vibe.
Vintage Accessories: Statement pieces like long pearls, fur stoles, and rhinestone headbands will elevate your look. Try vintage-inspired hairdos like soft waves or updos.
Retro Shoes: Classic heels, mary janes, or pointed-toe pumps with bows or crystals will tie the look together.
For Men:
Tailored Suits: A well-fitted tuxedo or classic black suit with a bow tie will give your guests that James Bond or Cary Grant vibe.
Vintage Accessories: Consider pocket watches, cufflinks, and sleek shoes like Oxfords or loafers.
Casual Chic: If the dress code is less formal, go for a fitted blazer and dress trousers, paired with a crisp shirt and a skinny tie for a 1960s vibe.
Vintage Hats: A fedora or newsboy cap will help elevate the look, especially for those embodying an older fashion era.
Makeup & Hair:
Glamorous Vintage Hair: Think sleek waves, victory rolls, or finger waves for a 1920s to 1940s look. For the 1950s, voluminous curls or a chic updo with a vintage comb is ideal.
Classic Makeup: Red lips, winged eyeliner, and defined brows are all must-haves for that Old Hollywood look. For a more dramatic effect, use dark eyeliner and a bold lip to channel the glitz of the 1940s.
Hire a Makeup Artist: Have this person come for the first hour and give vintage looks to all those attending!
The Party
Experience of a Lifetime Timeline
Let’s take your Vintage Vogue Night to the next level with some interactive and engaging experiences for your guests.
Guest Arrival & Retro Photo Booth: Set up a photo booth with vintage props like long cigarette holders, faux fur shawls, pearl necklaces, and wide-brimmed hats. Create a backdrop of vintage advertisements or a famous Vogue cover for a glamorous photo-op.
DIY Cocktail Bar: Allow guests to play bartender with a DIY cocktail station that’s stocked with vintage-inspired cocktail recipes and all the necessary ingredients. Offer classic drinks like a gin fizz or Tom Collins, and have guests shake or stir their own concoctions.
Glamorous Makeover Station: Set up a makeup and hairstyling station where guests can get a quick vintage makeover. Hire a professional stylist to give guests a taste of vintage beauty or provide accessories like faux pearls, feathered clips, and bold red lipstick for them to wear.
Vintage Vinyl Making & Dance Party: Nothing screams vintage more than classic tunes spun on a vinyl record player. Create a playlist of songs from the 1920s to 1950s, featuring jazz, swing, and old-school pop hits. Find ours here. Have a little design station where people can create their own vinyl covers that they can upload for printing as a fun keepsake!
Celebrity Look-Alike Contest: For a fun, lighthearted activity, host a celebrity look-alike contest where guests can channel the glamorous icons of yesteryear, from Audrey Hepburn to Marilyn Monroe, or James Dean to Frank Sinatra.
Favors: A Keepsake to Remember the Night
Send your guests home with memorable vintage-inspired gifts that will leave them thinking about your fabulous party for days.
Mini Perfume Bottles: Small vintage-inspired perfume bottles or scented sachets for a truly glamorous keepsake.
Retro Compact Mirrors: Elegant vintage-style compacts that guests can carry home as a reminder of your stylish soirée.
Custom Polaroids: Provide guests with their own vintage-inspired Polaroid pictures from the photo booth as a party favor.