Top Sorority Bid Day Themes of All Time

Just been assigned bid day chair? First of all, congrats! Second of all, you've got a lot to plan. Theme. Outfits. Decor. The actual run. It's a lot. Bid day may only happen once a year, but your new members will remember it forever.

The good news: We've rounded up the top sorority bid day themes that never go out of fashion. Whatever your chapter's vibe, there's something here for you. 

 2. Tea Party Bid Day Theme

Inspired by Bridgerton, Lady Danbury would absolutely be a Greek life president.

The tea party bid day theme is having a serious moment right now. It's feminine, editorial, and completely different from the typical bid day looks. Bonus: it lends itself to stunning photo content.

Think lace tanks, twisty tops, lavender color palettes, and soft pastels across the board. Pair with a flowy midi skirt or linen wide-leg pants. For accessories, opt for pearl headbands, white gloves, and floral prints — basically, anything that reads "garden party in the English countryside." Top it all off with a little bow. Stunning.

What about decor? For a tea party bid day theme, go full Bridgerton with florals, vintage teacups, linen tablecloths, and lavender-and-cream balloon arches.

Tea Party bid day sayings to steal:

• "Sigma Kappa is My Cup of Tea"
• "My Cup of Tea is [Your Letters]"
• "Kappa Alpha Theta: A Royal Affair"
• "Chi Omega Tea Party for Two... Hundred"

Shop Tea Party bid day designs:

• Sigma Kappa Tea Party Bid Day Twisty Top
• Sigma Kappa Tea Party Bid Day Lace Tank
• Kappa Alpha Theta Princess Bid Day
• Chi Omega Tea Party Bid Day
• Tri Delta Tea Party Bid Day Design
• Delta Zeta My Cup of Tea Bid Day Tee
• Kappa Delta Paris Baby Tee
• Sigma Kappa Lavender Lace Letter Jersey

3. Midnight Paradise Bid Day Theme

Deep blue sunsets, tropical vibes, total banger energy.

Midnight Paradise is the move if your chapter wants that electric, after-dark tropical aesthetic. Layer rich jewel tones, like deep blue, turquoise, coral, and gold, with tropical print accents. Then, top it all off with a party playlist.

This theme hits different when your whole chapter is color-coordinated and running full speed toward their new members in matching tees. They also pair great with high-waisted denim cutoffs or a flowy floral wrap skirt, gold hoop earrings, shell jewelry, and maybe a flower crown or two.

For decor, create the vibe with string lights, tropical leaves, starry night backdrops, and a fire pit if you can swing it.

Midnight Paradise bid day sayings:

• "GPhi Tropical Paradise"
• "Gamma Phi Midnight Paradise"
• "Welcome to Sigma Kappa's Paradise"
• "Chi O Tropical Bliss"

Shop Midnight Paradise bid day designs:

• GPhi Tropical Paradise Bid Day Tee
• Gamma Phi Midnight Paradise Bid Day Tee
• Sigma Kappa Midnight Paradise Bid Day Tee
• Chi Omega Tropical Bliss Tee
• Kappa Kappa Gamma Beachy Bid Day

4. NYC Theme Bid Day

Inspired by The Big Apple. Energy, style, and big city dreams.

The NYC bid day theme is sleek, editorial, and instantly recognizable. Black-and-white color palettes with pops of yellow (hello, taxi!) or neon.

Style chapter jerseys with biker shorts or wide-leg trousers, then accessorize with oversized sunglasses to exude a confidence that screams,  "I just got off the train at Grand Central."

Now, for the really fun part! Decor is where this bid day theme comes to life. Yellow taxi cutouts, "I ♥ [Your Letters]" signage, mini Statue of Liberty props, and a photo booth moment in front of a skyline backdrop. Put "Empire State of Mind" on repeat.

NYC bid day sayings:

• "Theta Takes Manhattan"
• "Alpha Chi in NYC"
• "KKG: New Chapter, New City Energy"
• "Phi Mu Does NYC"

Shop NYC bid day designs:

• Theta NYC Themed Tank
• Alpha Chi Omega NYC Themed Bid Day Jersey
• Alpha Chi Omega NYC Themed Tank
• Kappa Kappa Gamma NYC Themed Bid Day Jersey
• Phi Mu NYC Themed Bid Day Jersey

5. Mermaid/Under the Sea Bid Day

Because sorority girls can be mermaids too.

Under the Sea is one of those themes where the styling options are practically endless. In terms of color, choose iridescent, ocean blues, and seafoam greens. Accessorize with pearl accents, shell jewelry, and anything holographic.

For full commitment, wear your bid day tee with a sequin skirt or iridescent shorts, braid your hair like Ariel, and add a starfish clip.

For decor, go all in on the ocean floor. Blue and green balloon clusters, net backdrops, metallic fish and shell cutouts, and little mermaid tail banners. Your new members will feel like they're being welcomed into an enchanted kingdom.

Mermaid bid day sayings:

• "We Mermaid for Each Other"
• "Phi Sig: The World Is Your Oyster"
• "Welcome to the Chapter Under the Sea"
• "Pi Phi: A Whole New World"

Shop Mermaid/Under the Sea bid day designs:

• Phi Sigma Sigma Under the Sea Bid Day Tee
• Alpha Chi Omega We Mermaid for Each Other Bid Day Tee
• Phi Sigma Sigma Is Your Oyster Bid Day Tee
• Pi Beta Phi Mermaid Jersey
• Phi Mu Mermaid Jersey

6. On Cloud Nine Bid Day

Inspired by: Your new members just got their bid. They ARE on cloud nine.

This theme is all about that floaty, dreamy, we-can't-believe-this-is-real energy. Think sparkle, glitter, light blues, and silvers, gold polka dots, and sequins.

Pair your bid day tee or jersey with a white pleated skirt or light blue flowy bottoms. Accessorize with cloud headbands, star earrings, body glitter, more body glitter, and the biggest smile in the world because your new bids just ran home.

On Cloud Nine bid day sayings:

• "Delta Gamma: On Cloud Nine"
• "KKG Feels Like Cloud Nine"
• "Welcome to Cloud KD"
• "On Cloud [Your Letters]"

Shop On Cloud Nine bid day designs:

• Kappa Kappa Gamma Gold Glitter Polka Dot Greek Letter Jersey
• Greek Letter Jersey
• Delta Gamma On Cloud Nine Bid Day Tee
• Blue Sparkly Kappa Delta Bid Day Greek Letter Jersey

7. Western Bid Day

Saddle up, because the Western bid day theme is having its moment.

Cowgirl hats, bandanas, plaid, fringe, boots — this theme is versatile enough to look different on every chapter but cohesive on the whole group. Western also works with any color scheme, which makes it a great pick for chapters with flexible palette options.

Lean into the Western aesthetic with denim cutoffs, statement belt buckles, and cowboy boots. Studded tanks and ringer tees with bold lettering are a go-to for this theme.

For decor, grab hay bales (obviously), lanterns, rope accents, sunflowers, and a playlist that starts with Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter and doesn't stop.

Western bid day sayings:

• "Rounding Up the [Your Letters] Bids"
• "Phi Mu Western Roundup"
• "Theta: Colorful, Wild, and Western"
• "Delta Zeta Cowgirls"
• "KD Cowgirl Bid Day"

Shop Western bid day designs:

• Tri Delta University of Arkansas Bid Day Ringer Tee
• Phi Mu Western Bid Day T-Shirt
• Kappa Alpha Theta Colorful Western Bid Day
• Delta Zeta Western Bid Day Tank
• Emerson Coast Studded Ribbed Tank
• Kappa Delta Cowgirl Bid Day Tank

8. Walking on Sunshine Bid Day

It doesn’t have to be 90 degrees and sunny for Walking on Sunshine to be a winning theme (but it helps).

Walking on Sunshine is yellow, bright, warm, and radiating serotonin. Think sunflower yellow, bright white, and warm orange accents. This theme is one of those where your chapter photos end up looking like a magazine editorial — everyone glowing, matching, and genuinely losing their minds because bid day is finally here.

Style it with white linen shorts or a yellow tennis skirt, sunglasses, and bring sunflowers for the new members to hold when they run home.

Walking on Sunshine bid day sayings:

• "Sigma Kappa Walking on Sunshine"
• "Tri Sigma Walking on Sunshine"
• "Chi O: Slice of Sunshine"
• "Gamma Phi Beta Walking on Sunshine"

Shop Walking on Sunshine bid day designs:

• Sigma Kappa Yellow Lace and Sparkly Greek Letter Jersey
• Sigma Sigma Sigma Walking on Sunshine Bid Day
• Chi Omega Slice of Sunshine Bid Day
• Gamma Phi Beta Walking on Sunshine Bid Day
• Gamma Phi Beta Walking on Sunshine Bid Day Tank

9. Garden Party/Girly Bid Day

Garden Party is girly in the best way, and it's one of those themes that your new members will post about for weeks.

The Garden Party bid day theme screams, "We are the main characters in a very cute coming-of-age film."

Pair floral patchwork designs, blue floral letter jerseys, and soft pink tones across the board with linen trousers, a flowy floral midi skirt, or pearl-accented white shorts.

Flower crowns are not optional. Neither is a photo op in front of a floral arch.

For decor, get all the pastel balloons, fresh florals (or really good fake ones), a lemonade stand, a bistro table setup, and vintage-inspired signage.

Garden Party bid day sayings:

• "Phi Mu: Life in Full Bloom"
• "Chi Omega Garden Party"
• "In Full Bloom with [Your Letters]"
• "Blooming Into [Your Letters]"

Shop Garden Party bid day designs:

• Phi Mu Floral Patchwork Recruitment
• Chi Omega Blue Floral Print Greek Letter Jersey
• Chi Omega Blue Floral Print Letter Jersey
• Kappa Garden Party Bid Day Baby Tee
• Alpha Chi Omega Garden Party Bid Day Tee
• Kappa Delta Tea Party Bid Day Shirt
• Tri Delta Garden Party Bid Day Tank
• Phi Mu Garden Party Ruby Tee

10. America/4th of July Bid Day Theme

Red. White. And [Your Letters].

The America-themed bid day is a classic, and if your recruitment season overlaps with summer, this theme is a no-brainer. Stars and stripes, patriotic color palettes, and ringer tees in red, white, and blue photograph brilliantly, giving your chapter an iconic, instantly recognizable look.

Style your tees and tanks with denim cutoffs and white sneakers or boots. Add a red bandana, star-shaped sunglasses, and maybe a little face paint. Decor is easy, with Americana all the way: bunting, flag banners, mason jars with sparklers, and a playlist that absolutely includes "Born in the USA."

America bid day sayings:

• "Chi Omega: Born to Be a Chi O"
• "Zeta Tau Alpha: American Chapter"
• "Alpha Gam All American"
• "Red, White, and [Your Letters]"
• "Sigma Delta Tau: Stars, Stripes, and Sisters"

Shop America/4th of July bid day designs:

• Chi Omega 4th of July Work Week Tee
• Zeta Tau Alpha 4th of July Work Week Tank
• Alpha Gamma Delta American Work Week Tee
• Zeta Tau Alpha American Work Week Tank
• Sigma Delta Tau 4th of July Work Week Tee
• Chi Omega 4th of July Work Week Tank
• Alpha Gamma Delta American Work Week Tank

Looking for even more visual inspo? See what bid day chairs are pinning right now on Pinterest.

More Classic Themes Your Chapter Will Love

The best bid day themes stand the test of time and become classics for a reason: they're flexible, they photograph beautifully, and there are SO many ways to make them your own.

Ice Cold Bid Day

There's no bid day like an icy bid day, especially during a warm summer. Blue and silver metallics and white feather boas paired with a white pleated skirt or metallic silver shorts will make your chapter look like they’re in a music video.

This theme is also the perfect excuse to decorate your house! White and blue balloons and painted banners will complement your matching t-shirts so well. The finishing touch is a cool playlist (see what we did there?) at full volume when your new members run home.

Icy bid day sayings:

• "Ice Ice KD"
• "Ice Cold, DDD"
• "There's Snow Place Like Zeta"