Masquerade Balls - How to Throw a Great One!

Whether you are throwing a small birthday masquerade, or a large masquerade ball, many of these tips will be useful to you.

Firstly a little bit of history about the Masquerade ball:

MasQueradE MasKs

Such gatherings and festivities of carnival came from the fifteenth century by increasing elaborate demand, pageants and triumphal processions celebrating marriages and many other special occasions of late medieval court life.

Masquerade balls were then extended into public festivities in Italy during the sixteenth century, they were costumed with desirable make up and elaborate dances. Masquerade balls were usually held for the upper classes and were very popular in Venice. They have been associated with the tradition of the Venetian carnival. During the Eighteenth century the use of traditional masks gradually declined until they disappeared altogether.

The Masquerade mask is to hide your true identity, like playing a game, not only did it disguise you, create a true mystery and leave more to the imagination, but you could disclose your true identity at the end of the ball, giving guests something to look forward to and talk about.

Masquerade balls as I have already said died a death really around the eighteenth century, but have become a popular form of entertainment again today, fashionable and exciting, which is great for a party full of mystery and fun.

One of the phrases that are often used on masquerade ball invitations is: "Choose a mask and wear it well, so your true identity, no one can tell"
This is a great phrase and very popular on an invitation to help your guests understand a brief meaning of wearing a mask, and stir up some excitement.

Invitations for Masquerade parties are quite difficult to find, but there are many sites that enable you to download party invitations for free where you are able to adapt to your own style. Alternitively Party Masquerade do personalised Masquerade Ball invitations with envelopes, that you can have your guest names written on for free.

Choose your venue if you haven't already, from a house party to a large hall or hotel reception, there should be many open spaces for dancing, as this is a tradition at a ball.
Whether you are dancing to jazz, classical, folk or pop, be sure to include theme decorations that match your chosen style of music.

Choosing a mask is very important for the big event, usually if you have a very detailed costume, ball gown etc, it helps that the mask is very plain and simple, maybe with just a few matching feathers for more elegance, but if you are plainly dressed them an elaborate mask is more appropriate, feathers, sequins, glitter detail etc. Either on a stick or with elastic or a headband for comfort.

Most importantly you need to find a theme for your masquerade party before anything else. Popular themes are Mardi Gras, Venetian, Gothic, Medieval and there are many many more. Once you have chosen your theme then your costume and mask becomes easier to choose.

Then you can choose a colour theme, many masquerade balls use dark colours or very bright and cheerful colours (like Mardi Gras)
Metallic tones are also popular and easy on the eye for your guests, there are usually a huge range of decorations available also for the Mardi Gras or Metallic theme, including table skirts, giant props, ceiling and wall decorations, cardboard cut outs, jointed figures, like mimes and jesters etc, and some of the most beautiful masks i've seen are available in many metallic colours.

Theme decorations are easily found on the web, and not too pricey, you can stick scene setters all around your venue completely transforming your event, and giving a traditional venice theme, a ball, mardi gras theme and many many more. Stick and add props over the scene setters easily and add hanging decorations and maybe even giant props, depending on your budget.

Food should be kept as a buffet, finger buffets with small sized food only is usually best, as guests are wearing masks and could find it difficult to eat large portions.

Some grand balls, have somebody greeting them on arrival, like a snake charmer, fiddle player or waiter, this could also be adapted for the smaller party.
String quartets are very popular also for great entertainment while jugglers and even magicians make their way around guests tables. Again smaller parties could also adapt these traditions on a smaller scale.

A game of trying to determine guests true identitys was also very popular and added a humorous effect to many masques and enabled a more enjoyable version of a typical ball. So it is often a good idea to create the same effect, and maybe offer a prize at the end of the evening for the best dressed or even the best disguise!!

Masquerade Balls - How to Throw a Great One!

To Find Out More About Louise And Ideas On Throwing A Fantastic Ball Or Masquerade Party Visit http://www.partymasquerade.com