Bring Jay Gatsby, Daisy Buchanan and Nick Carraway to life with a lavish, exquisitely decorated Great Gatsby inspired party – sure to wow all your friends. If you enjoy party planning then this will be a walk in the park, but even if you don’t, it doesn’t take too long to create the 1920s feel in your home, as well as in your fancy clothing and of course, the menu.
Check out this guide to creating a Great Gatsby dinner party that even F. Scott Fitzgerald would be proud of…
What to Wear
Dive into the 1920s by starting with your clothing – and the clothing suggestions on your invites helps to get everyone ready for the big party.
For the women, this can be the classic flapper dress or something sequined and glamorous that fits the bill. Vintage Dancer is a great online guide to getting the look right as well as offering guidance on where to buy.
The perfect 1920s hairstyles come in all shapes and sizes, but do favour the short bob if you have this. A glitzy headband or slide can really pull off the look – search online for some beautiful creations from this period.
For men, this era was so stylish and affordable, offering the wearer more comfortable and stylish options than the previous era. For the Gatsby look, a timeless black suit with bow tie will do nicely but you can always mix it up with a white suit jacket or even some stripes!
Decoration
Art deco all the way – don’t be shy with going overboard, as the 1920s was not a shy and retiring decade when it came to parties! Golds, silvers, blacks and whites are the colours of choice. You can even buy plastic gold cutlery to give the look a boost, without costing the earth.
Hit the charity shops for some vintage wine and champagne glasses, as well as serving trays and shot glasses. Don’t be afraid to mix and match either, as the relaxed nature of this time means that rules don’t matter as much.
To really get into the theme, find a poker table to really up the ante. Save yourself from a gambling war by only playing for matchsticks as all the champagne and fancy outfits could trick some of your guests into the delusion that they are as wealthy as the Great Gatsby himself!
Head to Pinterest for some great inspiration including invitation ideas and decoration tips – Perfect to help achieve the overall look for the perfect 1920’s dinner party.
The Menu
Drinks
Serve up Mint Juleps, Blackberry Gin Fizz and Champagne, of course! And go all out with this fancy recipe for dessert wine gelees with citrus fruit from Martha Stewart.
Appetisers
Little nibbles before the main meal were all the rage, especially devilled eggs and grilled oysters – anything that showed extravagance and intricacy.
Mains
Did you know that the Caesar salad was an invention of the 1920s? Surprisingly, salads were a popular main in this era also including a Waldorf salad made with apples, grapes, celery and nuts. Other favourites include turkey, as well as sausages wrapped in bacon (also known as pigs in blankets).
Desserts
When it comes to time for dessert, this is your chance to really show off your culinary skills. Depending on the dinner party numbers you have, you could offer a selection of desserts.
Here’s a few tasty and fancy looking treats to consider:
- Give your cupcakes the Midas touch with this gold cupcake recipe from Betty Crocker.
- Try one of these 50 options for a delicious and rich cheesecake.
- Lemon cakes – as mentioned in the book, try this lemon drizzle cake recipe from BBC Good Food.
Timetable of Events
Be clear with your start time, so that your guests know when to arrive and that you’ll be ready for their arrival.
Next, proportion the evening to suit what you want to show off. If your appetizers are the pièce de résistance then spend more time nibbling on those and enjoying a Mint Julep, rather than placing focus on the main course. You can also refill the appetizer table with more if guests are running late or your dinner prep is behind schedule.
For a timeline of events to try to stick to (this doesn’t need to be given to your guests), this suggestion is a good guideline:
6pm: Guests arrive, drinks are served and appetizers offered.
7pm: Sit down at the dinner table to eat, chat and drink a little more.
8:15pm: Serve the desserts.
9pm: Open up the dining room into the living room (consider room dividers like these for splitting/merging rooms) – allowing more room for mingling and drinks. Followed by some 1920s-inspired music to get people moving in their era attire. Also remember to clear the dinner table, so this area can be used for mingling too…Then it’s drinks and dancing until dawn!
What do you think of A Great Gatsby Dinner Party idea? Have you ever had one?
*This is a collaborative post.
Perfect dress its very 1920s! Sounds like a great dinner party.
Thank you x
Sounds like a great dinner party, I love your dress you look fab!
Thanks Nikki.
Love the idea! And your outfit is fab!
Thanks Evelina x
Talking about fabulously fab
Thanks Laura.
You look so gorgeous, I absolutely loves that dress, one of my fave era’s.
Thanks Emma.
I am so envious of that dress, it is stunning. Some great tips x
Thanks Cathy x
This is an awesome idea!!! I really think I’m going to have to do it!! I always say that if I could go back to any era it would be the 1920s!! I love everything about it including the fashion which is amazing!!!
Yea me too..
Such a cool idea! I’ve been admiring some of the art deco architecture in London lately, would be a blast to throw a similarly-themed shindig! Love the dress too!
Thanks x
Love this it sound great, you have just reminded me I have a set I was bought for a murder mystery dinner party which I must dig out and use
Ah nice..
Sounds fabulous and I love your dress!!
Thanking you..
Perfect outfit and that choker is just absolutely stunning, definitely eye catching x
Thanks x
What a fabulous idea! I have hosted many themed dinner parties, but never a Great Gatsby one! You look so beautiful in that dress, and the necklace is to die for! xx
Thank you xo
I love this post! I attended a 20s party once and hate dressing up, but somehow found this easy and fun to prepare for. Who doesn’t love a bit of glamour?!
Yea who doesn’t? Glad you like the post..
Love your dress what a fab dinner party theme looks like a lovely time
Thanks Joanna.
We love the Great Gatsby film! You look fabulous and what great dinner party ideas
Thank you x
I love the idea, getting dress like in the 90s is awesome! Love your outfit, looks very good on you x
Thanks x
What a great idea for a dinner party and you look fabulous in that dress!
Thanking you..
You are so fabulous! I have always wanted to go to a Great Gatsby themed party! I love what you wore and I am glad you had such an amazing time!
xoxo, Candice
http://www.candicenikeia.com
Thanks Candice x
Sounds like an awesome party, I will need to show this to my friend she’s going to a gatsby party you look stunning xxx
Thank you Danielle xxx
The statement necklace makes the outfit for sure.
Thanks.
What a fab theme!! I would love to go to a great Gatsby themed party, the style of clothing at that era was amazing!
Yea it was.
I love your tips. I love that dress, very gorgeous and the necklace is a wow. You are on girl. Love your blog.
Thanks Osime xo
What a great idea for a party, I love the dress you are wearing by the way it looks great. The food suggestions are great especially as I love salad.
Thanks Melanie.
I love your dress. I would definitely go to a Gatsby dinner party. I even found a lovely vintage dress that’d go perfectly with the theme.
https://oadejobi2.wordpress.com/
Thanks Bukky.
Fab retro outfit hon, hope you shimmied the night away! (:
Ah I did. Thanks x
Your outfit is fab. This looks a really fun event, would love to get a poker table too 🙂
Thanks Mel x
i need to do a great gatsby party. i would love to dress up!
Ah nice..
Now this is a great idea and you look fabulous! X
Thanks Hannah.
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