Many adults only have birthday parties for milestone birthdays, so when it comes time to plan the party, they're ready to go all out. There is an endless number of party theme ideas to choose from, but one fun theme that is great for a summer birthday party is a Hawaiian luau. Planning a fun luau may seem overwhelming, but if you make sure your party has these five elements, you can throw an unforgettable luau that all of your guests will love.

Drinks

Alcoholic beverages are the first thing many people look for when they attend a birthday party. While you can serve plain drinks or have an open bar so guests can choose their own beverages, you can stick to the luau theme if you only serve drinks with blue curacao. This type of liquor tastes great and gives any beverage a fun hue that goes along with the luau theme.

Venue

Every great party needs an unforgettable venue. If you're going with a luau theme, you need a venue with water. You can host the party at your house if you have a pool, or you may rent out a community pool for a few hours to give your guests space to relax and entertain themselves in.

Decorations

Decorations can make or break a party theme. The more decorations you have, the more people will feel as if they are at an authentic Hawaiian luau. Use bright, vibrant colors to set the tone for the party.  Hot pink, lime green, fiery orange and bright turquoise are all great hues to use. Consider stringing bright lights in these colors around the pool to create a fun party vibe. You can decorate the food and beverage tables with faux grass skirts and create beautiful tablescapes with bright flowers and leis. You can even incorporate a few coconut shells to enhance the tropical effect. 

You don't have to go overboard on the decorations to make the party a success. Use enough decorations to remind guests of the party theme and make them feel as if they are in Hawaii, but don't try to overwhelm them with an excessive amount of decorations. If you're concerned that you don't have enough decorations, ask your guests to wear Hawaiian shirts and gift each person with a colorful lei upon arrival.

Music

Playing music in the background is a great way to set the mood for a luau. If you have room in your budget, live entertainment is a great addition to your party. Guests can enjoy live music while swimming and chatting. However, you can also play music from your phone with speakers set up around the venue. This option is a lot of fun because you have complete control over which music you play. Create a fun playlist with Hawaain-themed music that will encourage guests to move to the beat.

Favors

Most adult parties don't give out favors for attending, but if you can find unique favors, your guests are sure to remember your event. If you have room in your budget, consider renting a photo booth so guests have photo moments they can treasure forever. You can also do inexpensive favors such as Hawaiin figurines or coconut candles.

Throwing an unforgettable luau for an adult birthday party seems like a daunting challenge, but if you put in the right amount of preparation, you can throw a fabulous party that everyone will remember forever. While planning the party, make sure it has these five elements so that your guests are entertained and will be talking about your party-planning skills for years to come.