Turning 30 is a major milestone, and it deserves a celebration that’s as special and memorable as the person reaching this significant age. Whether you’re planning an intimate gathering or a grand event, these 30th birthday party ideas will help you create a fun and festive atmosphere that honors this new chapter in life.
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30th Birthday Party Themes
Choosing a theme for your 30th birthday party can set the tone for the entire event and make it more cohesive and enjoyable. Here are a few popular themes to consider:
1. 80s Or 90s Flashback Party
Go back in time and give your party a theme from a different decade. You can go all out for this theme and encourage guests to wear 80s or 90s outfits to make this party successful. In addition to themed attire, flashback parties are all about the music. You should focus on creating an environment that reflects your favorite moments from the select decade, which includes creating a stellar playlist full of memorable songs affiliated with that decade. Give this theme a try at your own home or consider renting out a space at a club or lounge.
2. Casino Party
Recreate Las Vegas on your own terms with a casino birthday party. This is an entertaining theme, characterized by cocktails, casino games, and a casino-inspired color palette. You can apply a red, black, and white color palette to your party by serving treats such as decorative spade or heart cookies and casino chip cookies. Perfect your DIY skills with garlands made of playing cards and dice centerpieces. Alternatively, you can change your color palette to gold and opt for a more glamorous casino party.
3. Black And White Affair
Host an elegant black and white affair for your 30th birthday party. This is a sophisticated theme that calls for a black and white dress code. Set the mood for guests by sending black and white party invitations. When it comes to party planning, remember that this will likely be an evening party; therefore, place your focus on creative lighting methods, tablescapes, stylish seating, and black and white desserts. You can also set up a photo booth to capture black and white photos that will make for a cherished photo book down the road.
4. Couture
Have you ever wanted to dress up runway-style but the perfect opportunity never presented itself? If so, this is your chance. Pull out all the stops for your 30th birthday bash and throw an unforgettable couture birthday party. This theme is characterized by a fun dress code that challenges guests to push their style limits. You can combine this theme with a black and white affair, along with ordering a picture-worthy cake that replicates a shoe, dress, or handbag.
5. Pretty In Pink
Celebrate your 30th birthday party with a Pretty in Pink theme, characterized by plenty of pink décor and sweets. This provides ample opportunity for you to incorporate pink on your birthday cake, decorations, and birthday invitations. Popular ‘Pretty in Pink’ ideas include pink lemonade, a pink candy bar, pink cocktails, and gold accents. Add a salon element to your 30th birthday party by hiring a manicurist to set up a booth for pink manicures.
6. Wine Tasting
Wine only gets better with time and so do you. Treat yourself and guests to a wine tasting party, characterized by wine-tasting and creative hors d’oeuvres. You can channel a day in Napa by decorating your party area with vines and setting up tables for certain types of wine. Try incorporating custom wine glasses throughout your party to add a sentimental touch.
7. Breakfast At Tiffany’s Party
Baby blue is your best friend when it comes to a “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” birthday party theme. This sophisticated theme is perfect for throwing a lovely brunch for your birthday. Avoid the dinner party planning and serve easy breakfast foods, pastries, and tea. You can encourage guests to dress like Audrey Hepburn and welcome them into a room decked out with pearls, silver and blue décor, and white flowers.
8. Great Gatsby y
If you have a deep love for the 1920s, host a Great Gatsby themed birthday party to celebrate the big 3-0. Encourage guests to wear their best pearls, flapper dresses, and top hats for an unforgettable 1920s inspired soiree. You can set up a fun photo booth full of 1920s inspired props to document this fun costume party.
9. Paris Themed
The Eiffel tower is only a step away if you choose to throw a Paris-themed birthday party. This theme consists of Eiffel tower graphics incorporated throughout your décor, an Eiffel tower birthday cake, and traditional French foods. You can prepare signage and menus that use French sayings such as “Bon appétit” or “Mangez bien” (eat well!) to make your guests feel like they’re in a quaint Paris café. Alternatively, you can throw a travel themed party and include Paris as one of your favorite stops along the way.
10. Pajama Party
Keep things cozy with a fun pajama party for adults. If you’re not into hosting a formal cocktail party this time around, you can give your 30th birthday party a twist by having guests dress down and wear their favorite pajamas. You can set up a quirky snack bar, provide custom drinkware, and screen classic movies using a projector. You can also make things interesting by giving a prize to the guest with the best pajamas.
11. Moroccan Themed
Get creative with a colorful and fun Moroccan themed birthday party for you and your friends. This is a unique theme that allows you to mix and match beautiful patterns, Moroccan inspired decor, and more. Serve traditional Moroccan food and hire a belly dancer to teach your guests some new moves.
12. Thirty, Flirty, and Thriving
This female focused 30th birthday bash is perfect for those who want a party with Pinterest-like décor, or for those who want to add a rom-com movie spin. To pull off this party theme, include plenty of self care props and gifts, such as spa packages, make-up, and engraved jewelry gifts, and plenty of tasty treats.
13. Dirty Thirty Party
A “dirty thirty” is another common term for a 30th birthday, but usually includes a humorous and fun decoration theme. A dirty thirty wouldn’t be complete without the birthday person’s favorite drinks, plenty of fun signs, and a night spent with friends. For specific ideas, consider creating custom shot glasses for the party tables.
14. Back in X Party
This party takes the honoree and all their guests back in time to the year they were born. Feature plenty of food, decorations, and entertainment from the birthday person’s birth year. For example, for someone born in the 80’s, this may include an 80’s Pop soundtrack, an old-fashioned boom-box, arcade games, and plenty of bright colors.
15. Kiss Your 20s Goodbye Party
This party features all the chocolate kisses and lipstick marks you can fit. In addition to the sweet treats and decorative touches of lipstick, make sure to include all the honoree’s favorites to help them kick off the start of their 30s. There’s no way to be sad about leaving your 20s while celebrating with this theme.
30th Birthday Party Decoration Ideas
Transform your 30th birthday celebration into a visual feast with personalized decorations that reflect your style and make your event stand out. Shutterfly’s range of customizable party décor items ensures that every detail of your party feels uniquely you.
- Bunting Banners: Bring some flair to your celebration with personalized bunting banners that are anything but ordinary. These banners are a fantastic way to add a touch of whimsy to your space. Customize them with fun phrases like “Cheers to 30 Years” or include a collage of your favorite photos. Whether strung across the entryway or above the dessert table, these banners will capture the spirit of the occasion.
- Vinyl Banners: Want to make a big statement? Shutterfly’s vinyl banners are the perfect centerpiece for your party décor. Whether you’re hosting indoors or outdoors, a large, vibrant banner with a personalized message or photo montage will leave a lasting impression on your guests. Picture a banner featuring a timeline of your life, from childhood to the big 3-0, serving as the backdrop for all those memorable photos.
- Celebration Photo Boards: Take your guests on a trip down memory lane with celebration photo boards. Perfect for highlighting the journey to 30, these boards allow you to showcase the moments that have defined your life so far. Arrange photos chronologically, or group them by theme to tell your story in a way that’s both meaningful and visually striking. Your guests will love reminiscing about the good times as they admire your custom photo display.
- Selfie Frames: No party is complete without a little selfie action! Shutterfly’s customizable selfie frames are a fun way to get everyone in on the photo fun. Personalize a frame with your party theme, colors, and even your name, so guests can snap memorable photos that perfectly capture the night. From silly poses to group shots, these frames are guaranteed to be a hit and make for some fantastic keepsakes.
- Yard Signs: If you’re planning an outdoor celebration or want to welcome guests with a bang, Shutterfly’s custom yard signs are the way to go. These signs can be personalized with your name, age, or even a fun message like “Party This Way!” or “Welcome to the Fabulous 30s!” Placed along the driveway or in the front yard, they’ll set the tone for the festivities before your guests even walk through the door.
30th Birthday Invitations
Set the stage for your milestone celebration with invitations that speak to your style and the vibe of your party. Shutterfly’s birthday party invitations ensure that your guests know they’re in for a memorable event.
- Elegant Foil Invitations: If you’re going for a chic and classy 30th birthday bash, nothing says “elegant” like foil-stamped invitations. Available in shimmering gold, silver, or rose gold, these invites add a touch of glamour right from the start. Imagine your guests opening an envelope to find a dazzling card that reflects the sophistication of the event to come—it’s the perfect way to make a stylish first impression.
- Photo Collage Invitations: Your 30th birthday is a celebration of all the incredible moments that have led you here, so why not showcase them in a photo collage invitation? Choose your favorite snapshots from over the years—whether it’s childhood memories, travel adventures, or milestone moments—and create an invite that’s not just an announcement but a keepsake in itself. Each photo tells a part of your story, and your guests will love getting a sneak peek at the journey that’s brought you to this special day.
- Themed Invitations: Whatever your party theme, Shutterfly has an invitation to match. Whether you’re throwing a tropical luau, a 90s retro bash, or a Hollywood glam event, you can find a design that captures the essence of your theme. Customize the colors, fonts, and even add a playful message to get your guests excited. These invitations are the perfect way to set the tone and let everyone know that your 30th is going to be an unforgettable celebration.
With Shutterfly, your 30th birthday party is more than just an event—it’s an experience, from the moment the invitations are sent out to the last dance of the night. Let your personality shine through every detail, and celebrate this milestone in style!
Resources Related to 30th Birthday Ideas
With these ideas, your 30th birthday party will be a celebration to remember. From choosing the perfect theme to selecting decorations and invitations that reflect your style, Shutterfly makes it easy to plan a milestone event that truly celebrates the start of a new decade.
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