I used a color palette of pink, yellow, orange and turquoise for the paper goods and combined some festive patterns, including a chevron and bold floral pattern, to make everything look fun and whimsical.  Since the event was a family affair, each child and their family was greeted to their own chevron picnic blanket laid out in the lawn for lunch.  The families’ names were printed on signs identifying their blanket.

Each family had a picnic basket prepared with lunch.  We printed up a menu card that was tied to the top of each basket, and bamboo cutlery was packaged in mini chevron paper bags tied with twine.

The bar and snow cone station were surrounded by balloon towers  -  aren’t they fabulous!?  The turquoise accent color was carried thru the event with custom styrofoam cups.

Dessert consisted of delicious cupcakes topped with fondant ants.  The perfect addition to the picnic theme!

Birthday girl, Olivia, looks very excited to blow out her candles!

And her sister and guest look like they are enjoying the snow cones!

Chevron paper bags were sealed with our bold floral sticker to package party favors.

I think this party has so many charming details that you can incorporate into any summer party, whether it’s a birthday party, a family picnic or special playdate!

First up, set the table in style!

Sometimes a plain old tablecloth just won’t do. Think outside the box and use a textured piece of fabric as your tablecloth. I used a cut, pink-organza fabric here.

Silk flowers can be attached to ribbon or a ring to be used as a napkin ring. It’s a great way to update a basic white napkin. As you know, paper is my business. So I am always in favor of a classic placecard. But once in a while, it’s fun to switch things up. I had Firefly Confections create these custom cookie placecards (that could also serve as a party favor for guests).

My tablesetting featured a gorgeous, and simple DIY centerpiece, too.  But you’ll have to come back tomorrow for those instructions!

Read on for more details from Vana….

The dessert table consisted of cupcakes, macaroons, powdered sugar donuts and cake pops, as well as sweet marshmallows. Preppy stripes and polka dots dots in shades of green, blue, and yellow formed the perfect looks for a Spring Day at the Park!  A symmetrical dessert table design was flanked by two DIY topiary trees and we used all white vessels to pop on the navy blue tablecloth.  The cake stands were topped with coordinating Cake Plate Clings, and white pots filled with wheat grass held the cake pops.

One of my favorite details was the silhouette banner hanging across the front of the dessert table.  Vana drew John’s silhouette every month of his first year, so it was the perfect addition to this little man’s celebration.  Silhouettes also played into signage throughout the party.

Vana crafted many of the details herself, including DIY Bow ties that were part of his attire, decorations, props and also served as party favors for the little guy friends and bow clips for the little lady friends.

As entertainment for the children in attendance, we set up an area on the floor with lots of blankets and pillows and a cute sign that said “Movie in the park. Grab a blanket and enjoy!” so the kids could get cozy watching a puppy movie.

How darling are these cake smash pictures of the birthday boy, John?!  Didn’t he look dapper in his bowtie?!

This dessert table is a great way of showing you how you can combine icons from multiple themes into one cohesive design.  As a recap, we had topiary trees and grass plants on the table as a reference to our “Day at the Park”, fondant bones on the cupcakes that referenced John’s love of puppies, bowties, haberdashery stripes and crisp polka dots to play into the “Little Man” theme, and of course, John’s silhouettes among the decorations.

Tip: If you are trying to incorporate different themes into one table, be consistant in your color palette, select a simple, symmetrical layout, and select one icon from each theme to use consistently throughout the party.

Congrats on a darling party, Vana and Happy, Happy 1st Birthday to my little friend, John!

Resources:

1. Personalized Lucite Tray - Available in two sizes, these trays are the ultimate item for the hostess with the mostess.  You can change out the insert, giving you style flexibility from party to party.
2. Cake Plate Clings – Our favorite (patent-pending) product!  Reusable, non-adhesive, decorative liners for cake stands, pedestals and serving dishes.  Offered in dozens of patterns, these can be personalized with an initial, monogram or name.  Gift your favorite Mom a cute cake stand with a personalized Cake Plate Cling this year!
3. Personalized Post-It Notecube – Whether it sits on your desk or your kitchen countertop, these personalized notepads add a splash of style to any room and are super-convenient for quick notes.
4. Personalized iPad Cases – Our newest product (more information on them tomorrow!), these personalized iPad cases are AMAZING.  Gorgeous quality, our fun preppy patterns – it’s the perfect way to protect your tablet in style!
5. Cell Phone Cases – Every cell phone needs a stylish case!  Our selection of durable, hard cases features preppy patterns and tons of personalization options for you to choose from.
6. Personalized Ceramic Mug – For the Mom that loves a good cup of coffee, our personalized mugs are offered in a variety of darling patterns.  These make a perfect teacher gift too!

WH Hostess is pleased to offer our readers and customers 20% off this week in honor of Mother’s Day.  Code: WHLOVESMOMS is valid from Monday, April 29 – Thursday, May 2, 2013.  Not valid on previous purchases, custom party plans or custom designs.

A pennant banner was draped across the front of the table, and a fabric-covered riser held 5 candy jars in the center of the table.  Instead of traditional candy jar tags, we created “prize ribbon” tags to identify the type of candy.

Colorful macarons, yellow cake pops and blue prize ribbon cookies were some of the favorite treats.  Blueberry cupcakes topped with colorful, fondant bow ties and mini key lime pies sat front and center.

The table was branded with coordinating paper elements from WH Hostess, such as haberdashery stripe food tent cards, the prize ribbon candy jar tags and coordinating Cake Plate Clings. As a nod to the southern theme, pie pops stood in mint julep cups adorned with bow ties.  Blue-striped paper bags held our #1 prize ribbon stickers, and were available for guests to fill with candy to bring home with them.

Stay tuned for more details from Cameron’s Dapper Derby 1st Birthday Party later today!

Paper Goods, Fabric Backdrop & Dessert Table Plan by WH Hostess  |  Images by Ellenzilla Photography  |  Cupcakes and Prize Ribbon Cookies by A Fare Extraordinaire  |  Bow Tie Cupcake Toppers by Sugartown Bake Shop  |  Candy from Candy Warehouse  |  Cake Pops by Angie’s Cakes  |  Pie Pops by  Cakewalk Desserts