Bad and Bewitched: A Witch Party -

Gather your coven, some black lace, delicious cocktails and candlelight to enjoy an evening of laughter louder than thunder. The perfect excuse to go full glam Halloween; no cheesy decor, no little cutsy kid’s activities; just a high-style gothic chic.

We’re getting out the black velvet, blood red roses, and champagne for our ladies to arrive dressed as their most fabulous witch self.

Let’s Set the Scene: Decor and Ambiance

Let’s create something that is equal parts moody glamour, mischief and laughter.

Invites

People always love to get a printed invitation. Something on black or red cardstock with a gold wax stamp would be perfect. However time restraints are real and I just sent out a cheeky text:

“Join the coven, my pretty – a lunch of potions, laughter and bad intentions await. Please come dressed in your best chic witch wear” RSVP with Will Attend with Broom or Currently Cursed”

Dress Code

“Witch but make it Fashion” Encourage your guests to arrive in black, lace, silk or leather; with statement hats, gloves or capes. Bold makeup: smokey eyes, wine stained lips and hints of shimmer.

Give awards for:

Most Bewitching Look
Best Hat Magic
Best Witches Cackle

The Table

The table is the centerpiece of your coven’s gathering. We’re going to make it as glam as we can. Use black velvet or lace as your base and then begin to layer gold flat wear, black glass wear and smoke colored plates.

Colors: Black, Gold, Burgundy or Deep Plum

Lighting: Candlelight only – soft, flickering and dramatic. Use black tapers in gold holders and add a couple of smoky gray pillar candles in hurricane glass.

Center Runner: Black cheesecloth or gauze loosely draped with scattered “spell pages” (tea stained paper). Scatter crystal clusters, dried roses, fresh roses in deep red, and taper candles down the center.

Name Cards: Mini spell bottles labeled with each guest’s name will be your place cards. Or… Make some homemade magic wands with some chopsticks, a glue gun and some paint. These can be place cards with a tag attached or just used for decor.

Place Settings: Matte black plates, gold cutlery, smoky glassware, black linen napkins tied with velvet ribbon. Place a set of black taper candles tied together with black velvet ribbon on each setting.

If you have a skeleton, set them a place at the table.

Cauldrons: Create a floral cauldron; fill your cauldron with dark hydrangeas, foraged branches, figs, black calla lilies, and tuck in a few black feathers.

Create bougie cauldrons and put them all over.

Photo Backrop

Create a foggy backdrop for all of your fabulous photos.

Sountrack

You can always go with the classic Halloween playlist but I would suggest something more posh to match the party. You want some witchy pop. Stevie Nicks, Florence and the Machine, Lana Del Rey….

Foundation of Flavours: Sips and Bites

You want your menu to feel indulgent and a little dark. We’ve chosen rich flavours and moody colours to go with our vibe. You may just offer appetizers and a sweet treat or you may want to offer a full meal. Do what feels right for you.

Bites

You may choose to do a cocktail hour of appetizers and sweet treats or you may decide to present your witches with a full dinner or a luncheon. Do what feels right for you. Here are some suggestions:

Appetizers

Bloody Beet Hummus with Black Sesame crackers
Brie and Fig Crostini with chili honey drizzle
Truffled Mushroom tartlets with thyme
Charcuterie of Shadows: black grapes, aged cheddar, dark chocolate bark with sea salt and rose petals
Charred Flatbreads with whipped feta and chili oil
Butternut squash soup

Main Dishes

Braised Short Ribs in a Red Wine Reduction
Wild Mushroom Risotto with crispy sage
Charred Broccolini with lemon zest and chili flakes
Black squid ink Pasta with a Bolognaise.
Roasted Beet and Blood Orange Salad with goat cheese, pistachios and black lava salt

Dessert

Dark Chocolate Espresso Tart with gold dust
Blackberry Pavlova Nests with whipped cream
Red Wine Poached Pears
Mini Pumpkin Donuts

Sips

Your signature feature – The Potion Bar Challenge – is equal parts cocktail game and coven ritual. Set up your moody apothecary bar with bottles labeled as spells and challenge cards to guide the chaos. If you’re not up for The Potion Bar Challenge” consider:

Witch’s Brew – elderflower liqueur, rose gin, pomegranate juice, and a splash of champagne.
Black Magic – sparkling wine or soda with muddled blackberries, thyme sprig and a touch of edible glitter. Make a thyme syrup if you’re up for it and add just a touch.
Bewitched Mocktail – Cranberry cocktail, lime, club soda
The Salem Spritz – Aperol, prosecco and blood orange

These would also be a great welcome drink before you start your Potion Bar Challenge.

Finishing Touches: Activities and Entertainment

Let’s get spooky.

Tarot and Fortune Corner

Hire a local tarot reader, or KIY with a printed guide, candles, and crystals. Guests can draw a three card reading or choose a stone for their “energy” in the coming year.

The Potion Bar Challenge

Check out our post on how to create this fun interactive cocktail game. It will bring lots of chaos and fun to your party.

Secret Spell Game

Place a hidden “spell card” under each guest’s plate. It will be a funny secret task for them to complete without being caught. There is no winner; just goo fun.

Spell Cards

Whisper: “It’s working” every time someone laughs
Convince someone you own a broomstick
Offer to read someone’s aura using their cocktail glass
Make everyone in the room say the word “cauldron”
Sing the name of your drink before every sip
Predict something outrageous that will happen before the party is over
You may not speak until your potion is finished. Use only mysterious stares to communicate
Swap glasses with another witch before drinking
You may not touch your drink with your hands. Enlist another witch to serve you.
Replace every “Thank you” with “So it is done” for the rest of the party
Compliment 3 people, but each one bust sound like a spell or a curse.
Proclaim that you’ve cursed the next person who says “cheers”

Candle Bar Magic

A stylish craft meets intention ritual. Write your intention on a tag and attach it to the candle with twine. Provide ribbons, herbs and markers to also attach to the tag. Write on the other side of the tag “Light this when you need a little magic”.