STEP RIGHT UP: SPECTACULAR CIRCUS THEME PARTY IDEAS!

Wedding planning can be stressful, and sometimes the bride-to-be might feel like running away from it all. So why not let her? Why not grab her closest friends and family, and run away to the circus for a day?!

See below for how you can create a circus-themed party to remember!
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Related: 90+ Hen Do Theme Ideas

​The Outfits

This theme is perfect for the hen who loves to dress up. Not only will circus attire make for some great photo ops, but it will also add to the overall fun! See below for our favourite outfit ideas:



SHOW-STOPPING MAKEUP
Encourage the group to arrive with a similar style of performer makeup (colourful eyes and lips, for example), clown makeup (rosy cheeks, dramatic eyes, red nose and red lips), or even just use the same colours (shades of red, white and yellow, for example).
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COLOUR BLOCK
A fun and easy way to bring your group together. Ask that everyone arrive wearing one particular colour (for example, pink) or a range of colours (bold and vibrant, pastels, red and white stripes, or even crazy patterns!). They can wear any item of clothing they like, as long as it fits the chosen 'theme'. If you want to make the bride-to-be the centre of attention, you could then ask her to wear all white.

Handy Tip:
Ask guests to arrive in the bride's favourite colour for a personalised touch.

Related: Thoughtful Party Ideas



SMALL ACCESSORIES
Bow ties, hair bows and clown noses are all simple yet effective ways to bring the theme to your outfit. 



GO ALL OUT
Encourage guests to dress in outfits inspired by circus performers. Think jugglers, clowns, ringmasters, acrobats, magicians, face painters, tightrope walkers, fire dancers, trapeze artists and hula hoop performers.


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IMPORTANT NOTE
If you're planning for the full circus experience (spinning, climbing, trapeze and more), be sure to dress appropriately. Circus classes require clothing that can't get caught in equipment. The golden rules are to wear anything that you can move in, be upside-down in, as well as no zippers!


To make sure everyone can join in and have a great time, specify the type of clothing allowed on your invitations (and if you're the one choosing the dress code, make sure it's something suitable for the class).

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Circus Theme Party Decorations

From twinkle lights to bright colours - the following décor tips will help transform your venue into the big top you desire!



CHOOSE YOUR PALETTE
Start by choosing a palette that relates to the theme. For a circus party, this could be vibrant colours such as red, yellow, white and blue. Alternatively, opt for the couple's wedding colours, pastels, or even shades of your best friend's favourite colour (pink circus, for example).



​... AND THEN START DECORATING!
Keeping your colour palette in mind, transform the venue into an exciting wonderland using a variety of circus-inspired elements.

Bunting, banners, twinkle lights and large posters (featuring performers, such as the 'fortune teller', or fun slogans, such as 'clowning around encouraged') are a great place to start. Make use of fabric or drapes to create a circus tent ceiling, and set up classic carnival game booths (such as bean bag toss or darts) for an added element of fun. 

Vintage suitcases and trunks can be placed around the venue; fitting with the 'travelling circus' theme. Whilst hay bales are a practical form of décor that can be used as guest seating.

For those feeling extra creative, a ticket booth will not only help set the scene, but can also be used as a photo booth (complete with circus-themed props!).

And if you have access to some funhouse-style mirrors, add these to the celebrations as well. Even as adults, we can't walk past these beauties without admiring our unusual (and often hilarious) reflections.

The Food

Draw inspiration from classic circus treats. Hot dogs, hot chips, popcorn, doughnuts, lollies, mini burgers, corn dogs, ice cream, nachos, toffee apples, and bags of cotton candy are all great options.

​You can then expand on this menu, if you wish, wish a variety of bright and colourful dishes. Here, fruit kebabs, fruit cups, peanuts, mini quiches, iced cupcakes and perhaps even a celebratory cake could make an appearance. 

Alternatively, bring the fun to your food/dessert table with a variety of funny, cute and themed labels instead. For example, 'Clown Noses' (bowl of red jaffas), 'World Famous Popcorn', 'Juggling Balls' (bowl of colourful, round lollies or chocolates), and 'Big Top Cupcakes'.


Go All Out
Want to bring the vibe in a bigger way? Hire food trucks and/or concession stands (cotton candy, ice-cream cart, popcorn machine + attendants). Guests can then indulge in their chosen treat at their leisure, as they would at the actual circus. Alternatively, save some $$$ by setting up self serve stands instead.

Related: DIY Food Bar Ideas

The Drinks

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USE COLOURS WISELY
The easiest way to tie drinks in with the rest of the 'circus' theme is to coordinate with your color scheme.

​Say your event is based on the use of reds, yellows, blues and white, for example. Choose your cocktails, jelly shots and other refreshments based on those same tones. Champagne (yellow), cosmopolitan (red), blue lagoon cocktail (blue), and vanilla milkshakes (white) will all work perfectly in this case. Get creative and have fun with the different colours you can offer.



THINK LIKE THE CIRCUS
If you want to keep the event more 'realistic', think about what drinks you could actually buy at the circus. Coffee, tea, soda and lemonade come to mind. Serve these alongside some cheeky mixers (such as vodka or gin) for party guests after an extra 'kick'.



LABEL IT!
And finally, you may like to label the drink selection. 'Magical Martinis' or 'Jugglers Juice' could work, as would one themed sign to cover all of your beverages (e.g. the words 'drinks' featured on a sign with a circus inspired border). 

For a unique twist that steps away from your carnival-themed party, you could also play around with labels that describe the bride-to-be (e.g. Jodie + Martini = 'Joditini'). A fun and personalised touch that the bride is sure to love!

Related: Personalised Party Ideas

The Games

​Traditional carnival games (such as ring toss, bean bag toss, dart throwing and balloon darts) are great, themed options. Set up as DIY stations around your venue so that guests can participate if and when they please.

For a more knowledge-based game, circus trivia is the perfect way to get everyone's minds ticking. Feature questions based on circus terminology, the different performers and acts, and even famous circus movies.

And finally, if you're after a little competition, a cheeky contest could be the way to go.

Who can hula hoop the longest? Who can eat the most cotton candy? Who can finish a circus themed relay (featuring challenges such as juggling and balancing activities) first? And who can create the most contorted poses (a.k.a. the 'human pretzel'!)? Set up teams and compete in a round robin event to see who comes out as 'circus performers of the day'!

​Related: 40+ Hen Party Game Ideas

The Activities

CIRCUS SKILLS CLASS
What happens at an adult circus party? First of all, you get to learn a whole lot of new skills (with plenty of Instagramable moments to capture along the way!).

Depending where you go, you may get to learn the art of hula hoop, juggling and balancing. As well as the basics of aerial skills, trapeze and lyra (the aerial hoop); which will have you working up a sweat, whilst simultaneously leaving everyone amazed at what their bodies can do.

It’s one thing to go to the circus and see the aerialists fly over your head, but getting up there yourself is a whole different experience!

Note:
Some guests may be a bit nervous at the start of the class (feeling as though they’re not strong enough, brave enough, or anything else enough), but experienced trainers will soon put their mind at ease, making sure they’re comfortable, having an amazing time and wanting more by the end.



CIRCUS PERFORMERS
If learning the skills isn't quite your bag, why not hire some local circus performers and watch their skills in action instead? 

From a mesmerizing fire show to stilt walkers and magicians; there are so many incredible ways to WOW your group (whilst keeping YOUR feet firmly on the ground!). 




PHOTO BOOTH
​The outfits, the theme, the props - this type of event is just begging to be caught on camera! And what better way to do so than with a photo booth? 

There are two ways to do this. Hire one (the film strips, and potentially the backdrop, can be customised to go with your theme). Or create one yourself.

Want to DIY it?
First, decide on your 'photo booth' location. Will it be in front of a plain wall? In the garden? Or will you go all out with a circus party backdrop? Once the area is sorted, source some circus inspired props (such as clown noses, clown hats, giant bow ties, hula hoops, or ribbons). Place these on a table next to your 'booth'. 

The way in which your guests can capture these moments is then up to you. You could provide a tripod or selfie stick (happy snaps can then be taken with timers), provide polaroid cameras and film, or leave it up to your party pals to take pictures of each other when asked!



​FACE PAINTING
Not just for the youngsters! Hire a face painting professional who is more than happy to transform your guests into any circus related character they please!

​Handy Tip:
​For a more sophisticated take on this activity, why not organise a beauty bar? Similar to face painting, the professionals can create beautiful characters and themes - but with the use of makeup rather than paint. 

Related: Beauty Bar Bachelorette



FORTUNE TELLER
Add a touch of mystery to your event with a fortune tell or tarot card reader. A unique and unexpected activity that is reminiscent of the big top tent.

Related: 90+ Bachelorette Activity Ideas

The Party Favors

​Send guests home with a little 'carnival prize' to thank them for being such a special part of the day. See below for some of our favourite themed options that are sure to make them smile!

CIRCUS-INSPIRED FAVOUR IDEAS:

• Circus inspired jewelry (in the colour scheme of the party, or featuring themed motifs like stars)
• Circus-themed recipe cards (the bride-to-be could write her favourite recipe + a thank-you note for each guest)
• Circus ticket bookmarks
• ​Gourmet popcorn overflowing from mini popcorn bags or boxes
  Juggling balls
• Lolly bags (guests can pick their take-home treats from a circus-inspired candy bar)
• Mini carnival games (such as mini darts or bowling sets)
• Mini magic kits
• Pretzels
• Small jars filled with circus treats (such as cotton candy, mini doughnuts, mini churros or circus-themed sugar cookies)
• Toffee apples

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RUBIK'S CUBE PARTY 'HOW TO':

A Rubik's Cube Party is a lot of fun, a great ice-breaker, keeps the event interesting, and will result in so many fantastic (and hilarious) photo ops! To learn how to play (plus all the other important info such as guest favours and food inspiration), read on.

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Are You Ready to Celebrate Circus Style?

Everyone wants to feel strong, amazing and confident in their body – and you will feel all of this and more whilst having the time of your life and learning new skills.
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So why not bring your best friend and her closest pals along to the circus and feel like the super women you are?!

If you decide to go ahead with a circus party theme and EVERYTHING it has to offer, we'd love to hear about your experience! You can share your decorations, activities, games and more via the comments below. We absolutely LOVE hearing about your parties, and so do our wonderful readers :-)

Cheers to an AMAZING event full of tricks!

- Bec :)

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P.S. The image below is perfect for Pinterest... Go on and share this adult circus theme party inspiration - you know you want to! :)