The Academy Awards are March 4th, 2018 and if you can’t attend the awards’ night bash, you can create your own red-carpet event at home!

Nothing quite compares to the glamour of old Hollywood—why not capture that refined ambiance with black-and-white décor and a menu of elevated treats? A Spicy Pear-Tini, for example that pays homage to the ritzy cocktail of yore with a stylish twist. While the stars take the stage, you’ll dazzle at home. This fete is all fun, no-stress with everything falling into place well before the red carpet arrivals start.

So where to begin? According to Instyle Parties, the invitation is your first step. After you have finalized your invitation, décor is next step in setting the scene. Once decoration has been decided, you need to plan a menu fit for the red carpet, and outline the activities you plan to keep the party alive.

Fear not, if you don’t have time to curate your own party, below is a step-by-step guide with plenty of tips and tricks, and a fully curated menu to help you shine at your Oscar party!

Set the Scene

The Invitations

Photo by Morgan McDonald on Unsplash

An invitation showcasing the iconic ceremonial spotlight lets guests know it will be an evening of refined fun. Choose a classic design, boasting black and white to match the party’s color palette.

Plan your Décor

Black and white—on a neutral gray tablecloth—and nothing more. Natural materials—like ceramic, slate, and soapstone—all in alabaster white and matte black—lend the array sensuous drama, as do a variety of serving dishes in marble. To vary the display, use cake stands for height, or overturn a bowl to use as a riser. Then, to keep things from getting too serious, bring in a few swirly patterned balloons.

Olive branches breathe an earthy freshness into the display (though palm fronds evoke the California vibe well too) while sweet white anemones tucked into small vases promote the bicolored theme beautifully. You might even play up the filmic angle by uncoiling rolls of 35mm camera film and arranging the dark tendrils along the table’s center.