Shake, Rattle and Roll

We celebrated our daughter's first birthday party with a musical celebration. With over 65 friends and family, the party hit all the right notes! Decor include primary colors, musical notes and instruments and photos of our daughter's first year.

The two main tables had themed backdrops. The food table had a backdrop covered in records and the dessert table was covered in sheet music. The poster of photos and giant film strips were ordered from Social Print Studio. The dessert table featured the cake made by Popovers on the Square.

 

The favors were a "Build your own band" bar. Fabric bags were filled with kazoos, flutes and tambourines. Desserts included cake, musical note lollipops, themed sugar cookies, pretzel drum sticks and record licorice wheels.

We hosted the party in our barn - it was our first celebration in the space and it worked great! The space allowed room for tables, mingling and activities. The front doors let people roam in and out.

 Children could make their own shaker with plastic spoons, Easter eggs and assorted fillers.

We had a music station with cymbals, drums and chimes that the guests loved banging away at.

 

 

The birthday girl enjoyed her own mini smash cake!

 

Young guests could also decorate their own guitars to take home.

 

The hosts and guest of honor!

Love makes the World go round!

We had the pleasure of celebrating the 40th Wedding Anniversary of George and Wendy, my parents, this weekend! The celebration was at a local dance studio and highlighted Wendy and George's love of ballroom dancing. The party decorations focused on travel in honor of their friends and family around the world and the many places their 40 years of marriage have taken then.

 Friends and family who joined us in honoring the happy couple.

The main food table featured savory and sweet treats representing the many places George and Wendy have lived or traveled together. Cheeses for Switzerland, Bakewell Tarts for England, Eclairs for France, Pretzal bites for New York, Waffle Cookies for Missouri (St. Louis is where the waffle cone was invented), Key Lime Pies for Florida and Maple Cookies for New Hampshire. The table was decorated with a vintage suitcase, travel books, globes and a map with pins showcasing their travels. A garland across the front featured vintage postcards and well wishes.

The cake was the centerpiece of the table! A beautiful recreation of Wendy and George's wedding cake. You can see the original in the photo hanging on the map. As is tradition in England, the original was a fruit cake and for their 40th, we enjoyed a traditional American cake with chocolate and vanilla cake and buttercream. Delicious!

On the dance floor, we had a table with messages and photos for guests to enjoy. As many of George and Wendy's family and friends live around the globe, we invited them to participate "virtually" in our celebration. Cards, emails and video messages were shared with the couple and guests.

Invitation to the "virtual" celebration

 Toasting the happy couple!

Hand decorated sugar cookies as souvenirs of the party!

 The guests of honor, George and Wendy, their daughters Katie with boyfriend, Adam and Carrie with fiance, David

Slide show of dancing and guests

Halloween Dracula's Wake

With somber tidings, we announce Dracula's Wake. Your presence is requested at calling hours to include casket viewing, refreshments and mini golf.

Our party was hosted at Monster Mini Golf in Danvers, MA in the party room. The room itself has a wonderful vibe with Gothic haunting decor. We brought decorations to supplement and celebrate the "wake" theme.

Upon entering the room, guests were greeted by a photo of the deceased and a full length black coffin which served as buffet for assorted appetizers.

Guests could read Dracula's obituary and view photos of his surviving relatives surrounded by candles and a ceremonial wreath. A bust of Dracula was prominently displayed. Women were presented with a corsage, men received boutonnieres and children had ribbons.

Creepy accessories for all guests which also served as favors. 

The coffin served as a buffet for an assortment of appetizers from chicken "bat" wings, "moldy" cheese balls, beef "flesh" pops, fried "black eyed" peas and more. 

One of my favorite party elements and a big hit with the younger (and young at heart) guests was the "blood bath" of tomato soup with "bone" grilled cheese sandwich dippers. 

After enjoying the appetizers, it was time to be tempted by the delicious desserts. "Tooth decay" trifle in push pops were displayed in test tubes. Strawberry tart was served with syringes of whipped cream ready for guests to dispense as prescribed. Guests also enjoyed "Blood" red velvet cupcakes and a twist on the traditional caramel apple with caramel-chocolate pears!

Guests enjoying the desserts and cranberry-cider punch.

 Guests came in costume to mourn the loss of Dracula.

 

After the casket viewing and feasting, we all headed to the indoor course to play mini golf!