When you move on you really need to acknowledge the fact.
Divorce parties are becoming more fashionable but where do you start when it comes to planning one?
We’ve put together some tips for throwing the best divorce party ever, from what games to play, who to invite and what music to play.
How To Throw The Best Divorce Party
Curate Your Guest List Carefully
Of course, the heart and soul of every party is the people who attend it, so select your guests wisely. Stick to really close friends and family, who stood by you during your divorce and who will want to celebrate with you.
Although divorce parties are becoming trendy of late, they are not for everyone, so avoid inviting anyone who may find them in poor taste. And yes, probably best not to invite the family or friends of your ex (or even your ex).
Pick A Theme That Suits You
Picking a theme can certainly add a fun element to your party, especially if it reflects you or your situation. If you and your guests are party animals, wild music or a karaoke night might just do it for you. You could ask your guests to come dressed as some famous divorced celebrities like Brangelina, Tom and Nicole, Charles and Diana, Demi and Ashton. Or any member of Fleetwood Mac will do.
You could prefer some “black humour” by holding a real Irish-style wake. Place your wedding ring in a miniature coffin and ask everyone to dress in black clothes, then sing, dance, and have a ball.
Of course, it doesn’t have to be a booze, drugs and rock n roll affair. You could choose to have a quiet evening with your guests, with no themes, no nothing – just lazing on the couch, watching your favourite movies, ordering pizza, and possibly overindulging in some Ben & Jerrys.
Going to the opposite extremes, you and your selected guests could all club in and pamper yourselves with a spa treatment and a fancy lunch at a gorgeous rooftop restaurant or even a weekend away at a luxury resort.
The choices are endless. It’s all up to your imagination and your budget.
Make It Fun
A divorce party marks the end of what has likely been a difficult period in your life and to celebrate the beginning of a new chapter. No other item can help you do that quite like a bottle of fine champagne – so get the bubbly flowing and toast to the future in style.
We’re not suggesting you all get sloshed and trash the joint, but a few cocktails in between some tasty snacks, wouldn’t go amiss for most. And don’t forget the cake!
Whatever you do make sure you have fun, and then of course, don’t forget there can be no party without music – happy upbeat loud music.
Create A “Divorce Playlist”
As this party is about letting go of the past and celebrating your freedom that lies ahead, you need to set the mood by creating your divorce playlist with the right type of music.
No sloppy Dolly Parton or any country songs of any kind. No Amy Winehouse and no Adele either, even if you’re a fan. Unless your divorce party has a wallowing theme!
You could throw in a few divorce related numbers like Fleetwood Mac’s Go Your Own Way, Kelly Clarkson’s Since You’ve Been Gone or the all-time favourite from the disco days of the 70s, Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive. Fifty Ways to Lose Your Lover has probably been played to death in the time leading up to the separation and doesn’t need to be resuscitated.
Play Some Divorce Party Games
In between the music, you could throw in a few ceremonial divorce games or rituals to add to the entertainment.
Burning, burying or shredding the wedding dress (yes it may have cost you a fortune!) is a sure way of letting go of the past. Some people choose to have a trash the dress photo shoot which can be greatly liberating too.
Whatever you choose to do for your divorce party, make it something you will enjoy and remember for years to come. But remember, especially if you remain parents of children born of the relationship, respect the part your ex played in your life, even if it did not end well.
Ian Shann is the principal mediator and director of Move On Mediation in Perth.
Ian’s commitment is simple – to help keep separated couples out of the Family Court and minimise their need for lawyers, saving them time, money and anguish.
Under Ian’s guidance, separated couples are able to Move On with their lives through amicable divorce mediation.
Email: mailto:ian@moveon.com.au
Website: https://www.moveon.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moveonmediation
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-shann
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