Assemble the committee. In order to throw a smashing themed college reunion, you are going to need a little help. So get some die hard members of the class together to form your reunion committee. Make sure you have a least one person for each big task (like hiring a band or caterer). Then throw all the theme ideas on the table. Discuss them and see what fits your budget and is realistic for the amount of time everyone has to donate to planning the themed college reunion. Making a giant float to sit outside the reunion is a great idea, but takes a wee bit of time. After the discussions select a theme.
Purchase decor. Now that you've selected your theme, you need to run with it. This means decorating your hall with any and every ounce of creativity you have in the spirit of your theme. Check out Orientaltrading.com or Partypro.com. Both of these sites offer decorations, large and small (usually assembly required) for literally hundreds of themes. Mardi Gras, Parisian, Cartoon characters are just the tip of the iceberg on these sites. The decorations are truly what's going to transform the hall or venue to a different time and place!
Get creative with food and drink. When speaking with the vendors, tailor the food that it fits your theme. If you've chosen Mardi Gras as a theme, then jambalya and bourbon based drinks are a must! You get the idea. But be sure to rename your menu with clever titles as well. For instance if you went to Jefferson college, call your main Mardi Gras dish "Jefferson Jambalaya"!
Create themed invites. You can do this electronically on such sites as evite.com or create memorable high end invitations by visiting sites like paper-source.com. Really the only limitation you have (as with the other suggestions) is your budget!
Dress the part! When the themed invites go out mention at the bottom that it's also a costume event. This will turn your run of the mill suit and tie reunion, into a festive party. You can even have a "best costume" contest and give away prizes!
Tailor the music. Keeping the spirit of your themed college reunion, have the band or DJ tailor some of the nights music along with your theme. And if the night is a Mardi Gras theme, then hire a jazz band. Soon you'll feel like you are on the sweet streets of New Orleans!
Have a great time. You organized the event, now on the big night, enjoy it! The more you and your committee are into your theme the more the rest of the guests will be as well. So sit back, relax and have a cocktail or two and catch up with old friends! Congratulations, you have just learned how to throw a themed college reunion!