About Us
About us
We threw the worst toga party ever.
And that disaster is why College Party Themes exists. We’re Madison, Olivia, and Ryan — three college friends who learned the hard way so you don’t have to.
How it started
It was sophomore year. The frat was throwing a toga party and we were completely clueless. Nobody knew what to wear. Half the guys showed up in bedsheets that fell off within an hour. The decorations were three balloons and a sign. The playlist was someone’s Spotify shuffle. The food was worse.
The party was a disaster. The morning after, still in a slightly torn bedsheet in the dining hall, the three of us made a decision. No college student should have to throw a bad party because they didn’t know where to start.
So we built College Party Themes. We researched the themes, tried the outfits, tested the recipes, and sourced the supplies. We wrote the guides we wish we’d had that night, and we put them online for free. A good party should not need a big budget or a planning degree.
That was three years ago. Since then the guides have helped over 500,000 college students throw parties they’re still talking about.
500K+
Monthly readers
82+
Party guides
40+
Parties tested
100%
Free forever
Meet the team
Three people. One site. Every guide is written by someone who has worn the outfit, cooked the food, or thrown the party.
Co-founder
Madison Clarke
Madison studied Fashion Marketing at UCLA. She writes every outfit guide on the site. She researches the look, checks which pieces work on different body types, and finds Amazon options under $30. If a guide felt actually useful, that was Madison.
She thrifts vintage, takes photos, and is the friend who is 25 minutes late and still looks perfect. Her junior-year Y2K party is still the one her sorority talks about.
Favorite theme: Y2K. The outfits work every single time.
Co-founder
Olivia Bennett
Olivia handles decorations, food, and the feel of the room. She has an interior design background. Give her $50 and an Amazon cart and a dorm can become a luau, a Y2K throwback, or ancient Olympus.
She tested every recipe on the site, including Huli Huli chicken in a tiny apartment kitchen. The smoke alarm went off three times. She’s from Austin, Texas, and she writes like the night should go big.
Favorite theme: Luau. She says the Huli Huli chicken is worth it on its own.
Co-founder
Ryan Matthews
Ryan has thrown 40+ themed parties, so he knows what works and what bombs. He writes the guys’ outfit guides, the games, and the drink recipes. The Solo cup kilt is from wearing one to five ABC parties across two semesters. He won every time.
He studied Communications at Ohio State and also works on a college party podcast. He is the one who told Madison and Olivia to build the site instead of only complaining about that toga party.
Favorite theme: Golf Pros & Tennis Hoes. Every photo looks like the party already happened.
Outfits
Madison’s side of the site. Real looks for a student budget, from the toga guide to Y2K.
Decor and food
Olivia’s side. Rooms, tables, and recipes that have been cooked, including the luau guide.
Games and drinks
Ryan’s side. What gets people involved. Drink ideas are for adults who can legally drink where they live.
Our mission
College Party Themes exists so no college student has to throw a bad party because they didn’t know where to start.
Every guide is researched, tried at a real party, and written by people who wore the outfit, made the food, and played the playlist. We don’t recommend anything we haven’t vetted. The site stays free: no paywall, no subscription, no premium tier.
What we promise
Product links can earn a commission at no extra cost to you. That is spelled out on the affiliate disclosure. Questions, party photos, or a theme we have not covered yet: Contact Us or [email protected].
Ready to plan the next one?
Browse the free guides, from anything but clothes to blacklight. Or tell us what you are throwing.