The term “masquerade ball” may bring to mind days gone by, the Victorian era, of royalty in gowns and formal attire doing the minuet. But since there has been such a resurgence in the popularity of this type of party, you may want to know how to plan a masquerade ball. They are very hot right now with the celebrity crowd, and are being used for very successful fundraisers. http://www.labyrinthmasquerade.com/ You can get some tips from how others have done it, but you may be on a bit tighter budget!

Before you can plan one, you may need a little more information regarding what a masquerade ball actually is. By definition, it is a ball (a formal dance) where guests wear fancy costumes and masks, disguising their identity. http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=masquerade%20ball Another group (besides celebrities) that is embracing the masquerade ball is the “Sweet 16” crowd. “Masquerade Ball” is becoming an increasingly popular theme for a Sweet 16 party. http://www.birthdaypartyideas.com/html/sweet_16_parties_21.html

A masquerade ball can be used for a number of occasions – fundraisers, proms, birthday parties, anniversaries, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, or a debutante “coming out” ball. http://www-bcf.usc.edu/~clingerm/history.html

First and foremost, if it is truly going to be a masquerade ball, you are going to need to rent a facility – most likely, a hall. This means work and planning, plus some expense, but it’s important if you really want this to be authentic. A masquerade ball at home might be fun for a kids’ party, but will certainly not be the real deal.

Find a Facility: Unless you have a good recommendation or have successfully used the facility before, find a reputable company that is in the business of renting halls/and or banquet facilities. http://www.respond.com/forms/forms23/index.jsp?cat=1700000097&adid=10000&src=21214&cmp=1003455025&kwd=ss02N5WI9&adc=3746416613&gclid=CMW_oPODjKACFSYbagodiEDreA

Questions that should be asked, and to provide you with a list of items to check, make note of the following:

1. Date of the Event
2. Type of Facility (Banquet Hall, Outdoor Location, Mansion or other Unique Location)
3. Type of event (Anniversary, Birthday, Corporate Event, Graduation, Quinceañera, Sweet 16)
4. Number of Guests
5. Do you want Catering
6. Do you need a DJ
7. Do you need a Photographer

All of these elements should be considered when planning a party of this magnitude. The facility will want to know how many guests will be in attendance. Once you have all the answers written down, you can plan your invitations. Once the responses are in, you can give the facility a precise count. If they’d like an estimated number, use your guest list for the initial count.

Invitations:

If you plan on “black tie,” be very specific in your invitations. Some hosts mention tuxedoes, evening gowns and/or a vintage costume. Some mention that masks are required. http://www.victoriaball.com/ Masquerade balls were all the rage in the 1920’s. If you would like to plan a vintage masquerade ball, it might be fun to check out a vintage invitation from 1920 or thereabouts. http://www.yorktownhistory.org/photoarchive/fire/masquerade_ball_invitation.htm Masquerade balls of the past used orchestras. You may consider doing the same, which means finding one, such as a chamber orchestra. http://www.gigsalad.com/Music-Groups/Chamber-Orchestra These days, a DJ is usually the choice for entertainment at a masquerade ball. If you do hire an orchestra, it’s a good idea to mention it in the invitation.

Invitations for an event like this really deserve the special treatment. Unless you are very creative, it’s wise to consider one of the many enterprises that offer custom invitations. If you type “Masquerade Ball Invitations” into an Internet search, you will be given a number of choices. Wording may include “dancing,” “fantasy,” or even a brief verse: “Find a mask, wear it well Your true ID no one can tell"

A few party stores have Masquerade Ball party supplies and invitations, but not many. Those that do will provide you with what you need for a masquerade theme party, but not an elegant masquerade ball.

Party Supplies and Decorations: If you are using a rented facility, you will most likely have them make arrangements for all of the tableware you will need. Ask if they have any standard masquerade ball decorations in their inventory. If not, ask if there is someone they use for this purpose. It will probably cost less to make use of a professional event coordinator, than to try and go out and buy the quantity of items it will require to decorate the hall yourself. http://tlbevents.com/themed-events/index.htm A professional event coordinator should have access to some or all of the following: colored table linens, dance floors, centerpieces, table decoration, musicians, and assorted entertainers, if you would like to add other activities to the evening besides the ball itself.

If you decide to buy and decorate the hall yourself, you will be looking at close to $1,000 for a package deal, and that’s just for the decorations, not the party supplies. Be sure to shop around before making a final decision.

The primary activity at a masquerade ball is dancing. However, it is not uncommon for those planning the event to add some extras. First, be it a private event or a large fundraiser, it is customary to have a costume contest with prizes for the best costume. If you have troubles thinking of the appropriate prize, you may want to consider a nice gift certificate. Some masquerade party planners also add to the aura of mystique with tarot card readers, magicians (table magic), jugglers – any entertainment that lends itself to a traditional masquerade ball. http://www.masqueradegj.com/events.html

A masquerade tradition is the “unveiling.” At midnight, it’s time to take off the masks and reveal the true identities of the partygoers. http://www.pregoevents.com/themed_party/masquerade_themed_party.htm

Masquerade Ball Cuisine: In all likelihood, you will want to use a caterer. Masquerade balls in rented halls, are usually big affairs, and trying to handle the food yourself could be overwhelming! First, ask the facility manager if there is a caterer who is familiar with what to serve at a masquerade ball.

You can have some fun researching your cuisine. For instance, sometimes a masquerade ball will have a theme within a theme, such as a Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball. This is a hand-in-hand theme, with elements in common such as the masks, feathers, costumes, intrigue, and many other elements. For a party such as this, Cajun Cuisine might be a consideration. Ask the caterer.

First seen during the Renaissance era, masquerade balls were popular in Venice among the upper class. Even though the writers of the day stated that the events encouraged immorality, efforts to end masquerades were not successful. http://www.victoriaball.com/history.htm With this in mind, you may want to plan the menu around Venetian or Renaissance theme and cuisine. http://ayquechevere.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=51&Itemid=80 Again, ask the caterer about these cuisines, and if they are familiar with what to serve. http://74.125.155.132/search?q=cache:8HAKbhj83nQJ:www.hrm.uh.edu/docs/CRI/Venetian%2520Masquerade%2520Ball.pdf+Traditional+Masquerade+Ball+Catering&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a Just like any big event such as a wedding, you will need to work closely with the facility manager, the event coordinator, the caterer and anyone involved such as a florist, to make certain everything is in place for your event.

Masquerade Ball Party Favors: Actual masquerade masks do not make good party favors, but miniature versions in the form of a key chain are one idea. Your guests’ cars may be parked by a valet, so they’ll have keys, correct? http://www.party411.com/theme_mardigras-ball.html You can cross reference Mardi Gras favors to go with the mask theme, if you like. Masquerade ball party favors are not easy to find. If you search specific items like “masquerade candy bars,” you may find a company to make a custom candy bar wrapper for your event. These are popular at Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, but can be tailored to your party. Your event coordinator is a good resource. Also the caterer. Have a ball!