How to Throw an Epic Beach Club Themed Birthday Party on a Budget

If you’re like me, the beach has always been a sanctuary—a soothing escape filled with the sound of waves and the gentle caress of the sea breeze. Coming off a challenging year, including a kidney transplant, I craved nothing more than a relaxed birthday celebration that embodied the calm and joy that the beach brings. For my 33rd birthday, I envisioned an epic beach club themed party. Here’s how we pulled it off for under $1,000, ensuring it was as stylish as it was fun.

The Vision

Three weeks before my birthday, I pitched my beach club idea to my husband. He had to pivot his plans, but we were both excited to make this happen. I began pulling inspiration from Pinterest, creating a dedicated board filled with colors, decorations, and elements that encapsulated a beach club vibe mixed with a cozy camp party essence. I envisioned an evening fête set against a sunset backdrop, perfect for s’mores by a campfire.

Using Canva, I crafted a vision board that compiled layout ideas and color palettes, primarily featuring vibrant pinks and oranges—my personal favorites. This visual guide not only helped us stay organized but ensured everyone involved understood the theme and aesthetics we aimed for. The end goal was to create a colorful, upbeat atmosphere that would leave lasting memories for our guests.

The Setup

On the day of the party, my husband took care of the heavy lifting while I focused on arranging the décor. We had a game plan: he set up the bigger structures like arches, and I worked on the finer details, such as table settings and centerpieces. This approach allowed us to work efficiently and made sure every detail was exactly how I envisioned.

For extra guidance, I created a visual layout that would have proven invaluable had we hired help. A printed version made it easy to coordinate our efforts, ensuring everything was in its rightful place come party time.

Birthday Party Invitations

The invitations were crafted using Canva—a simple yet chic design that perfectly encapsulated our theme. We decided on a kid-free gathering, allowing adults to fully immerse themselves in the celebration without distraction. Given the three-week timeframe, we opted to send invitations via text as images, but if we’d had more time, I would have loved to go the traditional route with beautifully crafted mail invites.

Beach Club Themed Birthday Party Decor

Banish any notion that spectacular décor means spending a fortune! Our decorations were modern, colorful, and effortlessly elegant. Fresh flowers from Trader Joe’s served as centerpieces for the tables, costing around $30 total. I used cute acrylic vases viral on social media to display them.

To add a welcoming touch, I grabbed an adorable wooden mini arch from Hobby Lobby for about $14. With the help of my Cricut, I customized it with removable vinyl, making it reusable for future events. Another highlight was the metal arch adorned with a neon LED sign, which shone brilliantly against the evening sky, illuminating our beach setup.

For lighting ambiance after sunset, I recommend using LED signs and battery-operated candles; they made our beach area feel inviting and fun. While I originally envisioned balloon decorations, I opted for simplicity when the day arrived and left them behind—no need to deal with popping balloons on the sand!

Party DIYs

DIY was the name of the game, and we crafted several personalized elements. From DIY tables to custom stickers for napkins, every little touch reflected our theme. The tables themselves were made from IKEA tabletops and foldable legs—a versatile option for any outdoor event.

The camping chairs were another DIY hit, and they doubled as party favors since guests took them home as a keepsake!

Dress Code

To complement our vibrant theme, we established a simple dress code, asking guests to wear orange or white. I went with a pink bathing suit and a light white cover-up, ensuring I stood out against our colorful gathering.

The Food

While I love cooking, I opted for ease when it came to food. We took the laid-back route and sourced delicious items from Publix. Think hot honey chicken wings, subs, and grilled shrimp skewers—food that could be easily reheated over our fire pit. I personally wrapped the subs in parchment and sealed them with our customized stickers.

Furthermore, I prepared individual charcuterie and s’mores boxes for guests—a fun and practical treat that everyone loved!

Cost Breakdown

Staying under a $1,000 budget was a priority, and thoughtful planning helped us achieve this goal. I meticulously tracked costs, ensuring we didn’t overspend on any particular category. Here’s a detailed breakdown of our expenditures for the party:

• Venue: $0 (beach access was free)
• Fire Pit + Wood: $70
• Beach Chair DIY + Drink Pouches: $70
• String Lights + Candles: $20 (batteries replaced)
• Metal Arches + Covers: $30 (had arches already)
• Food (cake, s’mores, etc.): $250
• Table Centerpieces (plates, napkins, florals, vases, etc.): $75
• Decor (LED sign, umbrella, beach balls, etc.): $125
• Beach Parking: $20

TOTAL COST: $660

Conclusion

Throwing a beach club themed birthday party is achievable on a budget—if you plan ahead and tap into your creativity. With the right ideas and a little help from trusted tools, you can throw an unforgettable celebration without breaking the bank. Check out my Instagram stories for more behind-the-scenes from this beach extravaganza, and remember—your dream party is just a vision board away!

Ready to plan your own beach party? Start your journey today!