RIP Twenties Party Ideas: Decorations, Dress Code and Invitations

November 7, 2026

Moody RIP twenties party table with burgundy roses, black candles, champagne, an RIP 20s cake and a dark floral RIP twenties invitation

Turning 30 and saying goodbye to your twenties? Throw them a proper funeral. An RIP Twenties party is a funny, dramatic and very photogenic way to celebrate a 30th birthday. Below you'll find RIP twenties party ideas for the decorations, dress code, food, games and the invitation, so you can plan the perfect "farewell to my twenties".

1. What is an RIP Twenties party?

It's a 30th birthday party with a mock funeral theme. Guests wear black, there's a "eulogy" for the birthday person's twenties, and the decor plays with coffins, dark flowers and dramatic candles. It's tongue in cheek, never gloomy. The goal is to laugh about growing older and celebrate the decade ahead.

2. Choose your RIP twenties style

Dark florals. Black and burgundy roses, moody candles and velvet. Romantic and elegant. See the Dark Floral and Floral Coffin invitations.
Chic black and white with bows. Classic, stylish and perfect for a dinner party. Try the Black Bow or Black Satin Bow design.
Funny skeletons. Cocktails, champagne and dancing skeletons for a party that doesn't take itself seriously. Choose the Martini Skeleton, Champagne Skeleton or Skeleton invitation.
Moody and gothic. Smoke, dark tones and dramatic lighting. The Smoky Gothic invitation sets the scene.

3. RIP twenties party decorations

A "tombstone" for the twenties, with dates and a funny epitaph like "Here lies her twenties: she partied hard"
Black and dark red flowers in vases or as a dramatic centerpiece
Black balloons mixed with gold or silver
Candles everywhere for a moody glow
A photo wall titled "In loving memory of my twenties" with photos from the past decade
A guest book styled as a condolence book

4. Set the dress code

Ask guests to wear black, of course. Add "funeral chic" or "mourning glam" to the invitation for extra fun. Veils, black lace, sunglasses and a single red rose make great accessories. The birthday person can wear black too, or stand out in white or red.

5. Food and drinks

A black or dark chocolate cake with "RIP 20s" on top
Cocktails with a dark twist: a blackberry mojito, an espresso martini or a "bloody" red sangria
Funeral-style catering: finger sandwiches, a cheese board and mini desserts
Themed names: "Last Rites Rosé", "Goodbye Twenties Gin" or "Midlife Martini"

6. RIP twenties party games and activities

The eulogy: a best friend gives a funny speech about the highlights of the twenties
Things I'm leaving behind: guests write habits the birthday person should bury, then put them in a "coffin" box
Twenties trivia: how well do guests remember the past ten years?
Toast to thirty: end the night with champagne and wishes for the new decade

7. RIP twenties invitation wording

The invitation sets the tone, so make it dramatic and funny. Send it three to four weeks before the party. Wording ideas:

"Please join us as we lay Emma's twenties to rest."
"Dearly beloved, we gather to mourn the loss of Sarah's youth."
"RIP to my twenties. Join me for drinks, dancing and a proper goodbye."
"Dress code: black. Tears optional, cocktails mandatory."

All our RIP twenties birthday invitations are Canva templates, so you can change the name, date, location and wording yourself, then print them or share them as an e-vite.

8. Make it a surprise

An RIP twenties party works brilliantly as a surprise. Tell the birthday person it's a quiet dinner, then reveal a room full of guests in black. Add "it's a surprise" clearly on the invitation so nobody spoils it.