Corporate themed parties with end to end support
A themed corporate party is an event that is put together with a specific design idea in mind - roaring 20s, James Bond, Forest, Harry Potter or Apres Ski Lodge to name a few. There are a vast number of theme possibilities and they can be based on a time-period, an event or a story or film.
These occasions are delivered through venue styling, lighting, entertainment, food, and dress style. Companies use them for Christmas parties, summer parties, milestone nights, and annual socials. They are usually delivered by an experienced event company that designs and builds the theme for the night.
Theme party built as complete worlds
A theme put together properly should transform your guests to that new world. You should walk in and the room has been replaced by the theme. The props, lighting, sound, table decor, entertainment, the food and even the staff can match the theme. Your guests should be buzzing to discover more. If you try to do these cheaply then a theme is a props table and a dress code. Guests are savvy these days, having attended many of these events and will know which one they have walked into within seconds. If you're going to do a theme party properly, you have to leave a lasting impression.
We design and build corporate theme parties end-to-end with our own event props and crew. This includes set and scenery, venue dressing, lighting and sound, entertainment, and menus that all belong to the theme.
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For example if it's a Space Party, expect aliens interactive inter-planetary actors, giant robots and talking magician droids, kooky cocktails, dry iced bars and a funky menu to match - see here
Who books them?
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HR and social committees - often book Christmas and summer parties, annual socials
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EAs and office managers - talk to us about director-hosted evenings and company milestones
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Comms and marketing teams - discuss popular branded party nights and client socials
Group sizes can vary from 50 to several hundred at a time. If the occasion is more to the point rather than the theme itself, then an awards dinner, a retirement or anniversary event works better and our celebration service will be a better fit for you.
Why the build is thing guests remember
In our experience, we know that guests will photograph a themed party for the first hour….and then talk about it for months! There's the ‘but’ - they only really talk long after the event, if the theme survives close scrutiny with the guests . In fact, the test isn't the entrance - it's whether the bar fits the theme, whether the food choices fit and, ultimately, whether the corner you sit in through the evening until late, still looks and feels as it should and not the back of a dodgy function room.
So, by now you may be asking yourself “just what exactly do some of these look like”?
Christmas Themed Parties
You won't be surprised to know that Christmas is the biggest theme party of most companies' year and the one where the booking window bites. The best December dates go a full year ahead, so you need to plan ahead. Every party we build is exclusive to you - we don't get involved with shared party nights. From winter wonderlands to full set-built worlds, enquire about our Christmas Party Service. Don't panic if you've left it to late, we regularly do pop up Christmas parties in the carpark, atrium or any other quirky space you may have.
Summer Themed Parties
With the advent of summer comes the opening of the outdoor canvas. Gardens, terraces, marquees and stretch tents are themes that December can't hold. For festival-adjacent evening parties, garden worlds, and warm-weather builds, see our summer-themed parties service.
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Still unsure or perhaps browsing? See our Theme Party Ideas page because this is built for exactly that.
For daytime festival format events - fun days, multi-zone outdoor events, see Festivals and Fun Days.
How a Theme Becomes the Room
So just how do you turn a theme idea into an actual room and set build?
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The idea: You bring a theme or a blank page and we develop it for you - not from a catalogue but into a design that fits the space and budget
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The build.: Set, dressing, lighting, sound and entertainment planned as one singular design and installed by our crew
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The night: We run it - cues, timings, acts - and strike and remove it afterwards
Event Formats
You might be wondering at this stage just what event formats look like and what the options are?
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Seated dinner and dance - the classic Christmas and gala shape
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Standing party - food stations, bowl food, bars, and entertainment zones, better for mingling at scale
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Immersive evening - actors, story lines, and staged moments inside the theme
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Venue or office take over - your own atrium or space transformed for the night
Styling and Entertainment Options
What factors combine to make styling a success you may wonder?
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Many things but the venue design and dressing (drapes, floor, rules, table design, lighting setups) to full-set builds with complete scenery, props and staged photo moments. All in the right combination contribute to the feel and style of a great event.
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There are other elements as well. Entertainment must be booked to complement the theme rather than simply added on as an extra - bands, DJs, supporting acts, dancers, other performers, comperes and MCs - all with sound and lighting run by our crew. Check ot our bespoke VIP Pastel Theme party
Venue Suitability
You might be encouraged to hear that themed parties work in more spaces than you might expect:
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Hotels and function venues - the standard canvas transforms so it doesn't look like one - check this party out
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Characterful private-hire venues - the theme starts with the building - check out our Space landing
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Your own offices or atrium - a takeover that guests don't see coming - think pop up parties
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Marquees and stretch tents - a blank canvas for summer festival vibe themes - festival vines are in​
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We find and contact the venue or we build at yours.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a theme party cost?
The cost is pretty much determined by the depth of the build, the venue and the catering. Simple venue dressing with themed entertainment sits at the lower-cost end while a full-on set-builld costs more. In practice, you tell us the theme, estimated number of attendees and ideal dates on our first call and we'll give you a firm cost range the same week.
When should I book my theme party?
To be safe, we would say to you book in the first quarter for popular venues January to March for a December date and earlier for the most wanted Fridays and Saturdays? Generally the best venues on our patch are largely gone by early summer. January to March booking gets first pick of a venue, date, and build time.
Can you theme my office or atrium?
Absolutely! In fact office and atrium takeovers are some of the most talked about parties we build because guests know the space but don't recognise it. The practical needs for one of these is build access, power, and an early conversation with building management. We've also even themed an office car park.
Do we have to pick a theme before we contact you?
No, not at all. We would say that roughly half of our briefs arrive as a feeling rather than a theme. We most often get asked for a variant of “something special, not another black-tie dinner”. However mature your event idea is, we'll work with you to develop options to inspire you - or take a fully formed idea from you and build it. We're quite happy with either approach.
How much does group size affect the set up of a theme party?
No, not at all. We would say that roughly half of our briefs arrive as a feeling rather than a theme. We most often get asked for a variant of “something special, not another black-tie dinner”. However mature your event idea is, we'll work with you to develop options to inspire you - or take a fully formed idea from you and build it. We're quite happy with either approach.
Why not give us a call about your themed party
Call us today on 01793 772999
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Email us your outline of an idea events@planetpursuits.com
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There are really no limitations to a first call with us. You can bring a theme or simply bring a blank page - either way we'll come back with a possible design direction, a potential venue for consideration and an illustrative cost range. Oh and the first call is short and absolutely not a pitch.
