7 parties we wish we were at (and how to host your own)
From a Renaissance showdown to Truman Capote’s iconic masquerade ball, history is packed with famous parties that redefined “go big or go home.” We’ve rounded up seven of the most extravagant, unforgettable, and downright inspiring gatherings from different eras—perfect for sparking ideas for your next celebration. Get inspired and set the stage for your own legendary event with invitations from Paperless Post.
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1. The Field of Cloth of Gold
First up: the original Renaissance Faire. In the summer of 1520, King Francis I of France and King Henry VIII of England met in Northern France to celebrate their new (and tenuous) alliance. According to History.com, what started as a diplomatic summit quickly turned into two and a half weeks of one-upmanship, complete with jousting, archery, banquets, and endless barrels of wine. The name comes from the elaborate silk tents and golden decorations that sprawled across the valley, turning the countryside into a glittering celebration for over 12,000 attendees. Think of it as one of the biggest parties in the world.
Host your own fantastic fête
Add some glitz and glam to your next party with gold-themed invitations from Paperless Post. Whether you’re getting the gang together for a night out at Medieval Times or dressing up for your local Ren Faire, embellish your invitations with regal fonts and playful stickers that show off your style.
2. The Bradley-Martin Ball
If we could time-travel, the Gilded Age in New York City would be at the top of our list. In February 1897, Bradley and Cornelia Martin hosted what was essentially one of the biggest house parties ever: a costumed ball at the Waldorf Hotel for seven hundred of the city’s wealthiest socialites. As Business Insider reports, guests dressed as historical figures such as Mary Stuart, King Louis XIV, and Marie Antoinette. The New York Times even ran a detailed write-up on each attendee’s costume. The Martins spent what would be over $9 million in today’s money, a level of indulgence widely criticized by the public.
Host your own “nowhere to wear it” party
Give your friends an excuse to wear their best outfit! With a “nowhere to wear it” theme, guests can dust off their boldest and best ensembles for a night of frivolous fun. Use the “Details” section of your Paperless Post invitation to set the dress code and encourage extravagance.
3. The Rothschild Surrealist Ball
If you’ve ever hosted a dinner party you thought was a little “out there,” just wait. According to AnOther Magazine, Marie-Hélène de Rothschild’s 1972 Surrealist Ball pushed the limits of imagination (and taste) and remains one of the greatest party stories ever told. The event featured “dinner plates covered with fur, table settings made of taxidermied tortoises, and food served upon a mannequin corpse laying on a bed of roses.” The guest list was equally notable: Audrey Hepburn and Salvador Dalí attended! It was weird, it was decadent, and it was absolutely unforgettable.
Host your own surreal soirée
If there’s anything to learn from Marie-Hélène de Rothschild, it’s to commit to a theme and lean all the way in. For your own surreal soirée, set a dress code like “animals” or “pink” to help guests get into the creative spirit. For décor, don’t be afraid to go wild. Think spray-painted animal figurines, fake plants galore, and lots of funky candles. This is your chance to have fun with the menu, too—a little added food coloring can go a long way!
4. 2019 Met Gala
Let’s be honest, we’d happily attend any Met Gala, but 2019’s was particularly memorable. Playing on the theme “Camp,” attendees decked themselves out in costumes ranging from Tracee Ellis Ross’s gilded frame to Cardi B’s enormous, quilted-and-feathered red gown. And let’s not forget Billy Porter as Cleopatra carried in on a velvet daybed, or Katy Perry’s incomprehensible costume change into a hamburger. The event was truly unforgettable. As The New Yorker aptly explains, “It may not have been camp, but it was fashion.”
Host your own watch party
Celebrate the annual spectacle with a Met Gala watch party! Play celebrity-sighting bingo, vote on best-dressed, and go all out with decorations. Sending a customized Flyer in your group chat makes it easy for guests to RSVP, chime in on snack preferences, and find all of the event details in one place.
5. Tsar Nicholas and Alexandra’s 1903 Ball
This party was royal maximalism at its best. In 1903, Tsar Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra threw a dazzling two-day ball at St. Petersburg’s Winter Palace. The Hermitage Museum explains that guests wore elaborate, jewel-encrusted costumes inspired by the 17th century, and Imperial Guard officers stepped in as dance partners so no one was left out. The evenings featured opera, ballet, and hours of waltzes, mazurkas, and quadrilles. To top it all off, Empress Alexandra hired St. Petersburg’s best photographers to take portraits of the sparkling attendees, leaving us with a glamorous album that feels like the original society photo spread.
Host your own imperial evening
Embrace your own brand of maximalism! Customize any Paperless Post Flyer with plenty of embellishments that make your next event’s mood board come to life. Planning an itinerary for your guests? Spell it out in a Schedule Block, so your attendees know when to expect dinner, dancing, or costume changes. Setting a dress code? Add a Photo Gallery Block to share outfit inspiration pictures with your guests.
6. JFK’s 1962 birthday party
Happy birthday, Mr. President. According to CNN, President John F. Kennedy’s 45th birthday fundraiser at Madison Square Garden drew 15,000 guests and raised about $1 million for the Democratic Party. The evening featured performances by Harry Belafonte, Ella Fitzgerald, and Marilyn Monroe, whose rendition of “Happy Birthday” became instantly iconic. Less than a year later, he was assassinated, making the celebration one of the most famous presidential parties in American history.
Host your own stage-worthy birthday
Your party might not sell out Madison Square Garden, but you can still make it a showstopper. Turn your celebration into a talent show: have guests perform a song, make a speech, play an instrument, anything. You can even turn it into a friendly competition—the most impressive performance gets the first piece of cake! Rent out your local dive bar or host your birthday bash in the backyard. Just make sure there’s a designated stage.
7. Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball
Lastly, the party to end all parties. On November 28, 1966, Truman Capote filled the Plaza Hotel with 540 of his nearest, dearest, and most glamorous guests. Vogue later crowned it “the greatest party in history,” and it’s not hard to see why. Guests arrived in monochrome gowns and tuxedos, feathered masks, and enough diamonds to light up Fifth Avenue. As reported by The New York Times, the guest list was a star-studded roll call: Frank Sinatra, Gloria Steinem, Andy Warhol, and guest of honor Kay Graham, just to name a few! When the band wrapped at 3:30 a.m., nobody wanted to leave. The sparkle lingered, the legend was born, and this masquerade ball became known as one of the biggest parties ever.
Host your own black-and-white ball
You don’t need Capote’s budget or guest list to throw a legendary evening. Take inspiration from the original, customize your invitation’s colors and fonts, and include personal messages so each invitation feels like a VIP pass. Check out our dinner party hosting tips for guidance on making your soirée feel effortless and unforgettable. With a little attention to detail, your guests won’t want to leave, and your party might just get its own legendary status.
A great party never goes out of style
Need ideas for themes, timing, or just some extra inspiration for your next event? Check out the rest of our blog for tips from designers, party planning resources, and plenty of ways to make your next event feel truly unforgettable. With the right invitations, thoughtful details, and a dash of flair, your next get-together might just become the party everyone will wish they’d been at.
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