Going Bananas: Tropical Party Theme Inspiration

If I was to do a poll on the most popular party themes for 2016, Tropical would be one of the clear winners by a mile. Not a day goes by without spotting another beautifully styled, colourful tropical party on my Instagram feed. What’s not to love about bright colours, cheeky fruit, sunglasses, flamingos, palm leaves and inflatable pool toys? Bring on Summer!

Tutti Frutti pool party - Sugar Coated Mama and Sweet + Styled

Tutti Frutti pool party – Sugar Coated Mama and Sweet + Styled

 

Styling - Paper Face (Sydney)

Tropical party. Styling – Paper Face (Sydney)

 

With so many new and tempting partyware options available for this theme however, it can be hard to know where to start, so I’ve done the hard work for you and rounded up a few supplies and inspo ideas from our LLC Vendors to get the party started.

 

tropical party - sweet bits and pieces

Styling – Sweet Bits And Pieces

 

Tropical Party Invitations

When I think of a tropical party, the vibrant colours of summer fruits and lush green palms always spring to mind. So use this as your inspiration for colour and design in your invitations, and have some Rio Carnevale style fun by adding some pink flamingos!

 

tropical party theme invitations - elk prints

Invitation – ELK Prints

 

flamingo invitation - that little creative co

Flamingo Invitation – That Little Creative Co

 

tropical party invitation - eve and co

Invitation – Eve & Co

 

Tropical party backdrop design - Giggles and Grace Design

Tropical party backdrop design – Giggles and Grace Design

 

custom tropical party invitation - bonjour berry

Fruity invitation – Bonjour Berry

 

flamingo party invitation - bonjour berry

Flamingo invitation  – Bonjour Berry

 

flamingo party invitation - emma smith stationery

Flamingo invitation – Emma Smith Stationery

 

tropical party invitation - emma smith stationery

Tutti Frutti invitation – Emma Smith Stationery

 

A lovely keep sake idea is a custom print recording all the special details of your child at the age they are at the moment! This fun tropical themed custom print would be perfect for this theme:

Tropical custom print - Edge House Design

Tropical custom print – Edge House Design

 

Tropical party decorations

You can literally go bananas (pardon the pun) decorating with this theme. Go bold with lush foliage or create your own palm or Monstera leaves using large pieces of paper, include plenty of fruit and florals as props, and don’t forget a flamingo or two for a bit of fun!

 

tropical party style inspo = opulenticity

Tropical party dessert table – Opulenticity Party & Buffet Styling (Perth)

 

 

tropical party - opulenticity

Tropical party – Opulenticity Party and Buffet Styling Perth

Tropical dessert table - Perfectly Sweet (Qld)

Tropical dessert table – Perfectly Sweet (Qld)

 

How gorgeous is this floral chandelier by Hanging Pretty?

floral decorations - hanging pretty

Floral Chandelier – Hanging Pretty

 

This garland would make a fun backdrop or centrepiece!:

 

Fruit garland - Emiko Blue

Fruit garland – Emiko Blue

 

These hand painted water colour decorations by ELK Prints are perfect for table settings or the sweets buffet.

tropical party decorations - elk prints

ELK Prints

 

Of course what’s a party without balloons!

pineapple balloon - ruby rabbit

Pineapple balloon – Ruby Rabbit Partyware

 

 

flamingo balloon - ruby rabbit

Flamingo balloon – Ruby Rabbit Partyware

 

 

flamingo balloon - love the occasion

Flamingo balloon – Love The Occasion

 

Giant palm tree balloon - Peppermint Sunday

Giant palm tree balloon – Peppermint Sunday

 

 

tropical flower garland - fantasy kids parties

Tropical garland – Fantasy Kids Parties

 

Teal paper fan - Emiko Blue

Teal paper fan – Emiko Blue

 

 

The use of natural or artificial flowers is also a great idea, and I love how Kirei Handmade has used them on giant letters.

floral lettering - kirei handmade

Floral letters – Kirei Handmade

 

You can also hire a foilage wall such as this for a tropical feel backdrop:

 

Foilage wall - Sweet Heavenly Events and Party Hire

Foilage wall – Sweet Heavenly Events and Party Hire (Sydney)

 

Flamingos or pineapples? Can’t decide? Go for both!:

 

pineapple and flamingo garland - sugarlicious

Tropical garland -Sugarlicious

 

 

Giant honeycomb balls in abundance and a selection of bold colours also looks fabulous.

 

tropical party - saffy and may

Tropical party styling – Saffy & May. Backdrop from Giggles and Grace Designs

 

Pink honeycomb balls - The Little Event Company

Pink honeycomb balls – The Little Event Company

 

Pineapple honeycomb centrepiece - The Little Big Company

Pineapple honeycomb centrepiece – The Little Big Company

 

Can’t go past these flamingo pinatas for some fun or decoration:

 

Flamingo pinata - Party Pony Designer Pinatas

Flamingo pinata – Party Pony Designer Pinatas

 

 

Tropical party tableware

Is it getting balmy in here yet? Let’s turn the heat up a notch with the perfect table setting for guests to sip on tropical punch and enjoy sweet fruit treats.

You’ll find an abundance of bright tableware perfect for this theme, including these fun finds.

 

flamingo ice cream cups - confectionately yours

Confectionately Yours

 

pineapple plates - ruby rabbit

Ruby Rabbit Partyware

 

 

floral party plates - the little event co

The Little Event Company

 

tropical party plates - favor lane party boutique

Favor Lane Party Boutique

 

Sunrise party plates - The Little Event Company

Sunrise party plates – The Little Event Company

 

Sorbet fruits plate - Hip and Hooray

Sorbet fruits plate – Hip and Hooray

 

floral napkins - ruby rabbit

Ruby Rabbit Partyware

 

flamingo napkins - confectionately yours

Flamingo napkins – Confectionately Yours

 

 

 

pineapple drinking cups - favor lane party boutique

Tropical partyware – Favor Lane Party Boutique

 

flamingo drink stirrers - favor lane party boutique

Flamingo swizzle sticks – Favor Lane Party Boutique

 

 

Flamingo straws - Deer Little Parties

Flamingo straws – Deer Little Parties

 

 

This fun lemonade stand from Tiny Tots Toy Hire (Sydney) is perfect for a cool drinks bar at a hot tropical party and seen in the below tropical setup:

 

lemonade stand - tiny tots toy hire

Lemonade stand for hire – Tiny Tots Toy Hire (Sydney)

 

 

tropical party - elk prints

Styling – ELK Prints

 

Hire some flamingos for extra decorating fun!:

 

 

Flamingos for hire - Tiny Tots Toy Hire (Sydney)

Flamingos for hire – Tiny Tots Toy Hire (Sydney)

 

 

 

Tropical cakes, cookies and desserts

With a theme that takes it’s cues from food, it’s fair to say that your sweets table will be the centrepiece of this occasion. Think cakes and desserts decorated with tropical flowers or fruit, and cookies shaped as exoctic birds, monstera leaves and tropical fruits. Don’t forget the real thing either!

Here is some of what has been created for this theme from LLC vendors around Australia who you can order from:

 

cake flowers - hanging pretty

Cake – Sweets With Love with paper flowers by  Hanging Pretty

 

Tropical cake - Velvetier (Qld)

Tropical cake – Velvetier (Qld)

 

Tropical cookies - Sweetcheeks Cookies and Cakes (Melbourne)

Tropical cookies – Sweetcheeks Cookies and Cakes (Melbourne)

 

Tropical macarons - Arelio Sweetbox (Sydney)

Tropical macarons – Arelio Sweetbox (Sydney)

 

 

tropical printed chocolate pyramids - chocobon

Chocolates – Chocobon (Melbourne)

 

 

tropical themed cookies - frosted by nicci

Tropcial cookies – Frosted by Nicci (Melbourne)

 

 

tropical themed cake - frosted by nicci

Cake – Frosted by Nicci (Melbourne)

 

pineapple cake toppers - diy parties

Pineapple cupcake toppers – DIY Parties by Renee

 

tropical themed cookies - petite cookies melbourne

Petite Cookies Melbourne

 

tropical themed cupcakes - love that lolly bar

Tropical cupcakes – Love That Lolly Bar (Sydney)

 

pineapple themed cookies - flyaway pineapple

Pineapple cookies – Flyaway Pineapple

 

flamingo cookies - sweetcheeks cookies and cakes melbourne

Sweetcheeks Cookies and Cakes

 

tropical themed cake - custom icing

Tropical edible print – Custom Icing

 

custom flamingo cake topper - a la roch

Flamingo cake topper – A la Roch

 

14937276_10154375701203961_2281094813651780440_n

Tropical desserts – The Pumpkin Carriage (Sydney)

 

14563374_10157613894320858_748623092895698998_n

Petite Sweets & Co

 

Tropical party favours

From fruit inspired cookies to whacky flamingo foam glasses, your guest will go home feeling like they’ve been on a tropical holiday with these finds and packaging!

water melon favour bags - love the occasion

Watermelon favour bag- Love The Occasion

 

Fruity tattoos - The Little Event Company

Fruity tattoos – The Little Event Company

 

flamingo glasses - favour lane party boutique

Flamingo glasses – Favor Lane Party Boutique

 

fruit stickers - ruby rabbit partyware

Fruit stickers – Ruby Rabbit Partyware

 

 

tropical party favours - glitter and glue designs

Glitter & Glue Designs

 

Before the little guests head home – why not have them stamp their fingerprint on this unique guest book idea! This ceramic hand painted tile will make the perfect keepsake for after the party!:

 

Guest book alternative - Pinta Craft

Guest book alternative – Pinta Craft

 

With so many partywares available, you can see why the tropical theme is just so hot right now, and a really easy one to pull together. I hope this has helped narrow the search down a little for you and provided the inspiration you need for your next occasion!

 

tanya



Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.