With age comes wisdom — and plenty of reasons to celebrate. Turning 70 is an extraordinary milestone, and it deserves an extraordinary birthday party. From creative photo ops to show-stopping birthday cakes, these unique 70th birthday ideas bring together friends and family for a meaningful celebration. Whether you are looking to host an intimate dinner or a ballroom bash, here are some of our favorite ways to honor 70 years around the sun.
1. Seat Your Guests in Style
It wasn’t hard to lure guests to their seats at this 70th-birthday party. Guests took the bait with fishing-lure place cards hung on a nautical wooden backdrop. We also love how wooden signage featured colorful-striped buoys crowned by the birthday man’s name.
2. Bring the Outdoors Inside
For a moment, we almost forgot we were high above New York City in an iconic skyscraper; with this venue transformed into a New Orleans Garden District mansion, guests enjoyed one unique photo op after another at actor LaTanya Richardson Jackson’s 70th-birthday party. Pictures were snapped in front of a giant balloon installation and an ice-cream bicycle cart.
3. Shine a Light on the Bar Setup
This hip venue took on a masculine aesthetic with a mix of copper and leather décor. We love how this elegant bar set-up steals the spotlight with a backdrop of gold lighting. Suspended wicker lanterns and moss-adorned centerpieces were handsome additions to this sophisticated soirée.
4. Breath in Fresh Air with Al Fresco Dining
Guests enjoyed a sunny day in the Hamptons at this tented 70-birthday celebration. In addition to chic banquet seating, a summery lounge area offered friends and family the chance to recline in style. Best of all, geode place cards painted with each guest’s name made for beautiful keepsakes.
photographer, floral installations & custom seating chart: Little Miss Party | furniture rentals: Taylor Creative Inc. | catering: Cloud Catering & Events | dj: Total Entertainment | tent: Sperry Tents
5. Gather ‘Round the Table
A floral-patterned dance floor, cloud-like floral suspensions, and a personalized boxwood backdrop made this 70th-birthday party a glamorous affair. Even the smallest details — like this crystal napkin ring, silver rimmed dishware, and circular menu — were selected with the utmost care.
6. Pose Like a Diva
This disco-themed 70th-birthday bash took its cues straight from Studio 54. Silver disco balls made their debut at every corner of this spacious ballroom — from the dance floor to the cake frosting. A backdrop of iridescent disco balls offered a sensational photo op, while shimmering ceiling tassels brought additional sparkle.
photographer: Phillip Van Nostrand Photography | planner: Victoria Dubin Events | event design: Ed Libby & Company | design: Ceci New York | venue: Edison Ballroom | magician/mentalist: Deceptive Collective | entertainment: Élan Artists
7. Foodies, Get Your Funk On
This mirrored catering station played delightful tricks on the eyes at this Motown-themed 70th-birthday party. From “Braised Brisket and Boursin” to “Manchego and Sundried Tomato Stuffed Artichoke Heart,” there was something delicious for everyone at this colorful, uplit affair.
8. Indulge Your Sweet Tooth — and Continue Your Color Palette
Singing “Happy Birthday” goes hand-in-hand with blowing out candles (or in this case, fireworks) on a delicious birthday cake. We love how the gold and reddish icing mirrors the elevated centerpieces, red carpet entrance, and vibrant uplighting of this dynamic 70-birthday celebration.
9. Go Groovy with a 70s Theme
Guests hopped from one decade to another at this 70th-birthday party. Of course, that meant the 60s received their moment in the sun (or lava lamp, we should say). We love this lounge area complete with a tie-dye backdrop and colorful area rug. We also adore how all-white furnishings pop against an array of bright colors.
10. Invoke the Golden Age
There is an art to simplicity, as these beautiful centerpieces prove. Pink, coral, and pale yellow blooms complement the glittery number “70” crowning the floral arrangement. We also love how the rose-frosted birthday cake is topped with sparkling signage.
11. Leave a Note
Why sign a guest book when you can sign a giant bottle of Champagne instead? Other Vegas motifs from this 70th-birthday party included an Elvis personator, a glitter-confetti drop, and playing-card plate chargers. Even without the Champagne keepsake, the birthday girl will always remember her fun-filled milestone-birthday party.
12. Floor Guests With Chic Tablescapes
A funky, asymmetrical carpet added depth and texture to this garden-inspired tablescape. Other picture-perfect pastoral details included floral crowns worn by the party hosts and rose-decorated cupcakes. We also adore the dessert cart wound with lavish foliage.
13. Get Blown Away By a Stylish Backdrop
From crimson drapery to rose-red centerpieces, there is so much to love about this deeply-hued 70th-birthday party. We especially adore all of the gold accents — be it charger plates or elevated floral displays. Crimson and gold join as a match made in heaven with this photo backdrop. The giant gold balloons have us floating away on cloud nine.
14. Rise Above the Rest With Unique Ceiling Décor
This 70th-birthday party captures our imaginations with its shimmering décor. Lucite seating, silver monstera leaves, and glass vases kept the room in a constant state of glimmer. We are also swooning over the crown of pearlescent ceiling balloons that are both dreamy and ethereal.
15. Keep the Cocktails on Theme
Guests embarked on a rock ‘n’ roll safari ride at this 70th-birthday party. Wild cocktail concoctions included a “Cheetah Sunrise” and “Electric Zebra.” We love how bartenders used animal print screens to artfully distribute various toppings.
16. Put New Twists on Tabletop Décor
Bay Shore, NY
Guests received a warm Italian welcome at this outdoor 70th-birthday party. Centerpieces featured uncooked pasta (who needs florals?), while tables boasted cheerful red-and-white checkered linen. We also love how an olive bar complemented the afternoon meal.
17. Bring in the Food Trucks
Keep the party outdoors with a colorful food truck (or two). Guests at this surprise 70th-birthday party enjoyed delicious cuisine and pool-side seating with spectacular sunset views.
photographer: 1st Photographer | event planner: Beth Fink Events
18. Shine On You Crazy Diamond
Sydney NSW, Australia
Everything sparkled at this stunning 70th-birthday party. Mirrored tabletops reflected crystalline chandeliers, vibrant projected lighting, and glittering candlelight for a double dose of shimmer.
19. Use the Walls as a Blank Canvas
Who says not to color on the walls? White coverings allowed the surrounding backdrop to serve as a blank canvas for colorful artwork at this vibrant, food-centric 70th-birthday party.
20. Get Comfy with Lounge Seating
With such plush seating, everyone felt right at home in this tented setting. We love how the British theme was carried over to sofa and cushions alike — not to mention the red telephone box photo op.