Browsing Tag

party

Events, Personal

Arden Rose | Second Birthday

Our daughter Arden Rose was absolutely obsessed with the moon, so choosing her 2nd birthday party theme was easy… Two the Moon! I’m excited to say it was recently featured on Kara’s Party Ideas. Previously for her first birthday, I did the bright and light floral garden party theme, which was also featured on Kara’s Party Ideas, so this year I really wanted to change things up with a moody, galactic style.

Cosmic colors and geometric elements were an easy way to create the theme. I talked Doug into making a wooden moon for the kiddos and families to pose on as a photo booth, and everyone loved it! The striped backdrop was a simple craft project that I painted in just a few minutes. I bought a drop cloth and some sample paint jars in my color scheme. Then I laid the drop cloth out in the grass, and used a roller to lightly paint the stripes. The grass made it perfectly imperfect- uneven and patchy like a cloudy sky. Next to the moon, I left some little wooden stars and moon shapes as props that said “Happy Birthday, Arden Rose!” and “I’m just here for the cake!”

Arden Rose’s dress was made my by mom, with the cutest cloud and constellation patterned fabrics ever. This year I rented kid sized tables and chairs so the littles could all sit together like little grownups. It was so cute! Each place setting had a jar of Stardust (silver glitter… sorry parents) with an agate balloon. For the adult tables’ centerpieces, we cut geometric wood shapes, painted them white, and arranged them in different patterns on each table, simulating constellations.

I don’t know about your parties, but at ours, the food station is always the center of attention. We had Two the Moon Turkey Sliders, Lunar Fruit with the Big Dipper marshmallow fruit dip, Veggie Rockets with the Little Dipper ranch dip, Moon Cheese and Crackers, Tang (which no one but the adults understood), Celestial Tea and H2O. I rented a silver sequin backdrop and table linens to enhance the design. Arden Rose’s cake table was a half moon shape (see what I did there?) with the sweetest two tiered night sky inspired cake. My mom also made the most amazing meringue cloud cookies which we served with the cake. Behind the cake I used clusters of white balloons to form clouds with a huge shiny silver metallic moon balloon as the focal point.

We had a build-your-own favor station with moon-themed goodies like Milky Ways, Meteorites (rock candy), Moon Pies, Astronaut Ice Cream, Moon Rocks (Starbursts inside of foil), Star Crunch, and Sugar Clouds (white cotton candy). We also had a play area with a giant inflatable bowling set, yard toys and quilts ready for our friends and family to make themselves at home. Seeing all of the planning and design come together is great, but spending time with friends and family is the icing on the two-the-moon-themed cake.

I’m so grateful to these vendors who helped make her party a hit!

Photography: Andy Roberts Photography

Cake: Kool Kakes by Dylan

Paper Products: Paper N’ Peonies

Rentals: Pursuing Eden & A1 Party and Tent Rentals

Styling: Me!

Events

4 Tips for Hosting the Perfect Shower

Bridal showers and baby showers… just about every gal out there has helped host one, right? And just about every gal out there has thoughts on how to do it best. Or at least they think their way is best… am I riiiight? Below are a few ideas on how to keep everyone happy while also keeping the design simple and cohesive. Take notes from one of my past clients out of Tyler – she had the right idea!

1. Have something memorable as a sign in area. Writing words of wisdom, highlighting scripture, or notes to open at a later date are all easy and meaningful ways to make the bride or mom-to-be feel the love of her family and friends.

2. Focus on backdrops, which will enhance the food station and gift opening area. This is where the photos are taken, so you don’t want random family photos, a kitchen sink or clashing home decor in the background of every photo. And those backdrops can be simple! Too busy and they become the focal point instead of the bride or mom-to-be.

3. Just say no to cheesy themed decor. Keep the fake flower arrangements and plastic heart confetti in the attic, and hire a local florist (such as Moss, for this shower) to make some fresh greenery garland and a large floral arrangement focal piece. Also remember, renting backdrops and other linens and cake stands (from a place like Pursuing Eden Rentals, like this client did) is an easy way to create a high end feel without spending the big bucks.

4. For large events with many guests, hiring a stylist is an easy way to give you the thing you need most: time. Time to mingle, connect with and love on the guests and bride or mom-to-be, while the stylist works to get it all perfect.

Florals: Moss

Rentals: Pursuing Eden Rentals

Styling: Me

Events, Personal

Arden Rose | First Birthday

Christmas is so soon, and here I am sharing some summertime pictures!  But, I think you will want to see these.

Everyone talks about the immeasurable love you have for your children, but I did not understand until God sent this beautiful ray of sunshine into my life.  And to know He loves me as His child… I do not deserve it!  Thank you, Jesus for making a way.

Our sweet girl Arden Rose turned one in July, and we had such a happy party!  I’m honored to say her big day was featured on Kara’s Party Ideas‘ Blog, Facebook and Instagram accounts very recently, and I can’t wait to share it with you now.

© Jill & Kay Photography

It didn’t take long after AR was born for everyone to start asking what her first birthday party theme would be and how we would decorate!  Most importantly, Doug and I wanted the party to be a place for our family and friends to gather together, spend time with those we don’t get to see often, and especially to celebrate Arden Rose’s big day!  My parents, “DeDe and PopPop”, enjoy cultivating their yard and flower gardens, so I decided their beautiful backyard would be the perfect place to party.  Arden Rose’s personality is dainty, soft spoken and reserved, so we thought the design should be girly and organic, with a touch of glam.  The first detail we chose was the fabric for AR’s party dress, which DeDe lovingly made by hand.  With the coral, peach, tangerine and pink color palette selected, we were ready to plan!

To welcome everyone to the party, we set up a display of AR’s month-by-month photos and a time capsule box for guests to write notes, advice or scripture for her to open when she turns 16.  We used a market cart and other props to create the feel of a fresh flower market.

© Jill & Kay Photography

© Jill & Kay Photography

© Jill & Kay Photography

Curved under a grove of trees, we set out mismatched chairs and barnwood benches around a long row of tables with organic loose weave cotton and gold sequin runners which showcased amazing fresh florals.

© Jill & Kay Photography

© Jill & Kay Photography

© Jill & Kay Photography

Since July in Texas is hot and humid, we opted for a morning brunch party and served scones, donuts, fresh fruit, quiche and gluten free muffins made by my sweet friend, Kimberly.  Organic milk and orange juice were offered in the cutest little milk bottles, displayed in a vintage baby bathtub.  I hand-lettered in gold all of the eats and treats signs.

© Jill & Kay Photography

© Jill & Kay Photography

 

© Jill & Kay Photography

© Jill & Kay Photography

© Jill & Kay Photography

© Jill & Kay Photography

The sweets buffet, cake stands and gold sequin backdrop showcased AR’s smash cake, which was also made with love by her DeDe.

© Jill & Kay Photography

© Jill & Kay Photography

© Jill & Kay Photography

© Jill & Kay Photography

© Jill & Kay Photography

© Jill & Kay Photography

© Jill & Kay Photography

Arden Rose is blessed with the best Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents and friends, who all came to celebrate with us.   I made a backdrop of flowers for AR to open gifts in front of and I think this was my favorite spot at the whole party!  Seeing her precious face light up with each present brought so much joy to us and to our guests.  Arden Rose is one loved little girl.  Her favorite gifts were her books, vintage piano from her great-grandmother “Temah”, and her dolls, especially Polly, handmade by DeDe in a matching party dress.

© Jill & Kay Photography

 

 

 

© Jill & Kay Photography

 

© Jill & Kay Photography

 

© Jill & Kay Photography

To thank all of the littles for coming, we made coloring books full of AR’s favorite things, and DeDe made felt crayon caddies, staying in the party’s color palette.  Playtime in the yard consisted of bubbles, foam noodle games and other toddler toys, and it was a big hit too, with quilts ready in the shade for cooling off when needed.

© Jill & Kay Photography

 

© Jill & Kay Photography

We decided to hire professional photographers to capture the memories for us, and I am so glad we did! I am very thankful we can look back on these photos in years to come and remember all the wonderful details: smiles shared, hugs given, prayers lifted up, and memories made.

Back to December (but still hot down here in Texas at the moment!); I wish your family a very merry Christmas, and pray for Jesus’ unconditional love to be made real in a special way in your life during this season.

Photography:  Jill and Kay Photography

Rentals: Pursuing Eden Rentals

Florals:  La Bella Blooms

Stylist: Me