Nothing is more exciting than attending masquerade ball parties.
For almost five centuries, anyone who has attended such a party have always had the same reaction of a thrill before, during, and after the event.
Popular in Venice as a tradition of Venetian Carnival until the end of the 18th century, masquerade parties were generally elaborate dances meant for the upper classes.
In the 20th century, one of the most noted masquerade balls was held at Palazzo Labia in Venice on 3 September 1951.
In present day formal masquerade ball parties, the formal dancing is less prominent and the emphasis is more towards the party atmosphere.
The less formal "costume parties" are descended from this courtly tradition.
Awesome and amazing to behold, masquerade ball parties also spell fun.
Presently, the masquerade theme is gaining popularity in weddings and other hallmark occasions.
Like any major event, a masquerade ball needs to be carefully planned.
Adequate time should be given for preparations and decisions that have to be made.
The venue, caterer, and the entertainment have to be booked.
The centerpieces and decor of the physical arrangements will need to be decided.
Since this requires an eye for detail, there are professional events planners who specialize in these types of events.
Enough time should be given for intended guests to prepare their gowns or dresses.
Masquerade ball parties will not be complete without the masks.
Host and guests alike would certainly want to look for that perfect mask to match that beautiful outfit.
The possibilities are endless and the only limitation is one's imagination and creativity.
Also called bal masque, a masked ball is a spectacle in itself.
Because of their picturesque quality, masquerade balls have been a subject or setting in literary and opera works.
I remember one of the school papers I had to write in high school was of Edgar Allan Poe's "Mask of the Red Death" which was set around a masquerade party.
Act II of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "The Phantom of the Opera" opens with a spectacular masquerade ball scene.
The very essence of masquerade ball parties couldn't have been expressed any better than in its lyrics from that musical - "masquerade, paper faces on parade...
masquerade, hide your face so the world will never find you..
...
'.
The next time that you have a party or event to plan, consider this theme!