silver prom shoes

As far as events in your high school life go, prom is one of the most exciting–and one that comes with a ton of decisions to make. That includes prom themes if you’re a member of the 2020 planning committee. Yep, aside from the perfect dress, hair, makeup, promposal, and more, you’re also charged with deciding on a vibe for the big night that will get everyone excited–and potentially even influence their outfit choices! The pressure is on, so to help, we’ve collected a slew of inspiring ideas for prom themes in 2020!

Outer Space

 

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A post shared by SM Party 🎈 (@sm_party) on Oct 24, 2018 at 9:05am PDT

Space themes and NASA-inspired fashion has been trending hard–so bring it to prom! Lots of silver, stars, moons, and planet motifs, and maybe even a rocket ship or astronaut here and there will help transport promgoers to an event that’s, well, out of this world.

Safari

 

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A post shared by Rashun (@too_creative_events) on May 13, 2019 at 4:50pm PDT

Make the night an adventure to remember with a safari prom theme. 2020’s fashion trends definitely include animal prints, so things could get really wild–in the chicest way. Be sure to pack the venue with lots of greenery and animal motifs!

Hollywood

 

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A post shared by R U T H _ H E R B E R T (@ruthedwinaherbert) on Jan 6, 2020 at 10:18am PST

OK, Hollywood is a popular theme but you can do a chic, glam, non-cliche version by picking a limited color palette and focusing on awards-show vibes. I.e., red florals, gold statuettes, and simple candles on each table and you’re ready for the red carpet.

Secret Garden

 

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A post shared by LUXURY WEDDING PLANNERS ITALY (@italianweddingsandevents) on Oct 29, 2018 at 2:45pm PDT

Make the evening totally enchanted. How? Lots of hanging greenery, vines, florals, and string lights. Bonus: This prom theme gives you an extra excuse to go for a dreamy embroidered floral or jacquard dress!

Under the Sea

 

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A post shared by The Party Box (@_the_party_box) on Dec 20, 2019 at 11:59am PST

Treat your guests to an aquatic experience! Create an entire underwater world with blue lighting, clear “bubble” balloons, and even some DIY jellyfish using lanterns, umbrellas, or salad bowls and ribbon!

Old-Fashioned Carnival

 

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A post shared by SIMPLY PERFECT by KEREN PRECEL (@simply_perfect_events) on Dec 30, 2019 at 6:06am PST

Before you know it, you’ll all be out in the world doing all kinds of adulting. Take it back to a simpler time with a vintage-inspired carnival prom theme. The secret to this vibe? Colorful garlands, balloons, and of course, cotton candy and popcorn!

Around the World

 

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A post shared by 🎉Its A Celebration🎉 (@eventsbytoya) on Jan 23, 2020 at 6:01am PST

Ok, at the very least, some of the teachers are gonna love this theme. Nod to the big world that awaits all you soon-to-be graduates with a global prom theme. Must-haves: Globes, maps, and lots of blue and green.

Candy Crush

 

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A post shared by Studio3 (@studio3nyc) on Oct 15, 2019 at 7:35am PDT

This 2020 prom theme is, in a word, sweet. What you’ll need: candy–and lots of it. More is more with this sugary theme so feel free to commission the prom committee’s best artists to create oversized versions of lollipops and more–and be sure to fill the room with jars of candy!

The Great Gatsby

 

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A post shared by The Lighter Side (@thelightersidela) on Jul 9, 2019 at 7:19am PDT

The roaring ’20s is one of the most decadent, glamorous eras–perfect for a prom theme! Fill the venue with lots of gold, silver, black, and white, and include plenty of art deco details like crystals and feathers.

Back to the ’90s

 

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A post shared by Oh Lala! (@ohlalaeventplanners) on Feb 17, 2020 at 8:36am PST

Who doesn’t love a throwback theme? One of our favorite decades to channel, the ’90s offers tons of possibilities in terms of decorations, as well as fashion and beauty inspo!

Tropical

 

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A post shared by LaTablechicEventDesignBoutique (@latablechicevents) on Aug 17, 2016 at 7:25am PDT

Vacation vibes? Yes, please. Go for bright colors and palm leaves or for an elegant evening take on the tropics, opt for a limited color palette of white, gold, and green (think orchids and monstera leaves).

Moulin Rouge

 

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A post shared by Event Design + Production (@ivancarlsoneventdesign) on Sep 19, 2018 at 7:24am PDT

The key to this dramatic and sultry Parisian prom theme? Red, red, and lots of red. Include feathers, drapery, and at least one windmill for the entrance and/or photo booth backdrop. For extra emphasis, pick a bustier bodice prom dress (which just happens to be a major 2020 trend)!

Starry Night

 

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A post shared by Party Poppers (@partypoppersevents) on Nov 17, 2019 at 8:17am PST

The great thing about this theme is that much of it can be achieved simply with balloons! Gold and silver mylar stars and moons, as well as clusters of plain white balloons for clouds, will make your prom venue totally photo op-worthy.

The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party

 

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A post shared by SM Party 🎈 (@sm_party) on Sep 25, 2018 at 11:31pm PDT

Eclectic, shabby-chic props (think birdcages, teacups, vintage-inspired clocks), as well as a hefty dose of black and white checkerboard pattern, will transport your prom guests to Lewis Carroll’s iconic scene from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Bonus: You can likely score plenty of items at a local thrift shop!

Glow in the Dark

 

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A post shared by Renzows Event Design (@renzowseventdesign) on Jul 9, 2019 at 12:50pm PDT

Black lights and glow-in-the-dark decor makes for a hell of a party! Don’t forget all the neon props to light up the night!

A Magical Night

 

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A post shared by Welladee The Wedding (@welladeewd) on Sep 10, 2018 at 9:47am PDT

Candelabras, old books, owls–there’s so much you can do with a magical, Harry Potter-inspired prom theme. Bonus points if you design a Hogwarts-worthy crest with your school’s initials for the big night!

Casino Night

 

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A post shared by Make Your Party P🎈P! (@partypopevents) on Feb 16, 2020 at 7:33am PST

As long as your school’s cool with a gambling-inspired theme, this is a safe bet (sorry). Use a red, black, and white color scheme to create a Vegas-style prom venue–and of course, lots of playing card and dice motifs!

Mardi Gras

 

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A post shared by SugarfireEventsSTL (@sugarfireevents.stl) on Feb 20, 2020 at 3:51pm PST

Not many themes can get a party started quite like Mardi Gras! Cover your venue with feathers, beads, sequins, masks, and more in a palette of green, yellow, and purple and you’ve got a prom no one will forget!

NYC Nights

 

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A post shared by Alejandrina R. (@alanarose_events) on Nov 25, 2019 at 3:12pm PST

There’s nowhere quite like The Big Apple and whether your school is close to Manhattan or clear across the country, the city that never sleeps makes for a perfect prom theme. Name tables after famous streets, make a skyline photobooth backdrop–you get the idea!

What are your favorite prom themes? Tell us in the comments–then shop Prom Dresses to get your look ready for the big night!