Choosing a Matric Dance theme is an exciting and challenging task. Expectations run high and every year the competition is high: will this year’s theme be better than the last?

There’s also the cost to consider. “Swarovski Palace” would be a stunning theme, but who could afford it? Use your creativity to adapt a magnificent theme to your budget. Do you need some inspiration? Here are five theme ideas for an incredible night the matrics will never forget!

1 The Oscars

The Oscars is a wildly popular annual showcase of the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. It’s an event that sets trends in fashion, hairstyles and make-up, and honours the who’s who of the movie business. The much- anticipated ceremony is a highlight on the world’s social calendar and is broadcast to over 100 countries. It’s the perfect theme for making the matrics the “stars of the show”.

Colours

Base colours: black and white
Accent colours: gold

Venue décor inspiration

• Dark draping with fairy lights
• White table cloths and crockery
• Use centrepieces to create light (candles and fairy lights)
• Gold chairs and centrepiece décor

  Photo © Flickr

• Weave lighting into indoor plants
• Use gold for name cards, napkin rings and tie-backs (if you’re using black/white chair covers).

Invitation inspiration

A deep black cardstock and striking metallic gold print will make for an impressive invitation. A nice finishing touch is to line black envelopes in star-studded gold. Also, use fonts and text that communicate the formality of the dance.

2 Roaring Twenties

The Roaring Twenties is an awesome theme that needs a bit of introduction. Wikipedia describes it like this:

The Roaring Twenties is a phrase used to describe the 1920s, principally in North America, but also in London, Berlin and Paris for a period of sustained economic prosperity. The phrase was meant to emphasize the period’s social, artistic, and cultural dynamism. “Normalcy” returned to politics in the wake of World War I, jazz music blossomed, the flapper redefined modern womanhood, Art Deco peaked, and finally the Wall Street Crash of 1929 served to punctuate the end of the era, as the Great Depression set in. The era was further distinguished by several inventions and discoveries of far-reaching importance, unprecedented industrial growth, accelerated consumer demand and aspirations, and significant changes in lifestyle and culture.

The spirit of the Roaring Twenties was marked by a general feeling of discontinuity associated with modernity a break with traditions. Everything seemed to be feasible through modern technology. New technologies, especially automobiles, moving pictures and radio proliferated ‘modernity’ to a large part of the population. Formal decorative frills were shed in favor of practicality in both daily life and architecture. At the same time, jazz and dancing rose in popularity, in opposition to the mood of the specter of World War I. As such, the period is also often referred to as the Jazz Age.”

The Roaring Twenties was also a time known for bootlegging (smuggling of illegal alcohol) and speakeasies (bars where people would gather to drink), cigars and dancing. It’s a fabulous theme for props and décor, but make sure the school is happy with the idea and that the students will be responsible!

Colours

Base colours: black and white
Accent colour: art deco colours such as peach and minty green

Venue décor inspiration

• Drape the room in white
• Line the walls with prints of Art Deco paintings
• Strings of jewels, gems and pearls add a sense of luxury-hang them from centrepieces and lamps (high-shine, reflective plastic beads and pearls are an affordable way to achieve the desired effect here)
• Light the room with glass chandeliers and white lamps
• Use eco-friendly feathers to decorate chairbacks and centrepieces
• Dress up the tables with a collection of accent-coloured candles or candle holders, a feather boa, a couple of 1920s-style headbands, strings of pearls and a few fake cigars
• For authenticity, have a bouncer at the entrance requesting a password (print this on the invitation) and a baby grand piano inside complete with ajazz-playing pianist
• Play jazz music during arrival and dinner
• Serve mocktail mint juleps, gin fizz and Shirley Temples
• This theme is ideal for a photobooth (especially with the props on the tables).

The inspiration photo is one of a very modern and classy Roaring Twenties wedding reception. For a Matric Dance you could use something like this as a basis and give it more theme- character with the ideas above.

Invitation inspiration

This is a fantastic example of a Roaring Twenties invitation. The art deco border, colours and fonts are just what you’re looking for to communicate the theme of the dance to the invitees. Put a password on the invitation for authenticity!

3 The Captain’s Table

Have you heard of “The Captain’s Table”? The Captain’s Table is an old tradition on a cruise ship. The ship’s captain would invite the most privileged of guests to dine with him at his private table.

The invitation is a once-in-a-lifetime honour and was usually extended to high society. The food is superb, the best wines are poured freely and the captain regales his guests with entertaining stories of his seafaring adventures.

Colours

Base colours: navy and white
Accent colours: silver, gold or a warm, bright yellow

Venue décor inspiration

• Keep it clean, uncluttered and simple
• Navy blue tablecloths will work well with white drapery, crockery and centrepieces
• Use clear, sparkling glassware
• Candles in marine-style lanterns are useful for table décor and providing mood lighting
• Arrange fresh white flowers along with white and accent colour candles for an eye-catching centrepiece
• Interesting marine and travel items like tillers, thick nautical rope, sea shells, maps, treasure chests and globes (maps of the earth) can be used to make creative décor.

  Photo © Flickr

Invitation inspiration

Use white cardstock for the invitation along with navy text and nautical-inspired images. A navy blue envelope with a matching liner adds a definite wow factor to the stationery.

4 The Secret Garden

The Secret Garden is a brilliant theme for creating a sense of mystery, wonder and allure. Imagine a secret wonderland of trees, flowers, fountains and streams. Researching botanical gardens and novel gardens from around the world will give you some excellent ideas for an unforgettable secret garden theme.

Colours

Base colours: White, silver, gold, green
Accent colours: purples and pinks

Venue décor inspiration (how to turn a room into a garden)

• Place plants and foliage (including hanging plants) effectively to give a garden- like feel to the space
• Use elements such as water features, benches, cobblestone pathways, rockeries, mini mazes, sundials, bird baths and pretty bird cages
• Hang lights and candles from branches for a magical ambience (placing candles at different heights on tables and in the air is very effective visually)
• Laser-cut or painted glass candleholders make for attractive table décor
• Long “branches” of flowers loosely packed in clear vases diffuse light and allow guests to see each other when seated at the table.
  

  

Invitation inspiration

A white invitation with a floral border and birds or butterflies (in your chosen colours) will set a garden scene. A flowing font is an elegant addition.

5 The Masquerade Ball

This theme is great for going over the top with opulence! If you’ve been to Madame Zingara (the travelling show), you’ll have an idea of how much fun you can have here. Use black and white as base colours with accents of gold, ruby, emerald, sapphire or a mix of jewel tones.

Colours

Base colours: black and white
Accent colours: gold, sapphire, emerald or ruby

Venue décor inspiration

• For dramatic tables, alternate black tablecloths with white chairs and white tablecloths with black chairs
• Try tall centrepieces topped with a voluminous plume of feathers or a set of bejewelled lamps (if you use feathers, make sure they are cruelty-free and from a sustainable source)
• Lamps with ornate stands or beaded shades double as décor and light
• Use accent colours for glassware, lamps and tealight candle holders
• Hang strings of multi-faceted beads where they will catch and reflect the light
• Appropriate statues, busts and models are useful for decor.

  Photo © Flickr

Invitation inspiration

These masked ball invitations in snow white and jet black are classy and dramatic.

The Matric Dance is a wonderful way to honour the outgoing matrics. With a bit of imagination and sound planning, you and your team can adapt a theme and invitation to create a memorable evening the Grade 12s will love. Good luck and have fun!