Colorful Owl 1st Birthday Party: Decorations

I first photographed baby {Sophie} at 7 months old. A few weeks ago, Sophie celebrated her 1^st birthday at the White Eagle Golf Club in Naperville. 

 

{Pillowcase dress from etsy shop MackenzieMadisons; shoes from Target}

I customized a party plan for Sophie’s mom, Alice, complete with tips and ideas to make a colorful and fun 1st birthday party come to life. Sophie means "wise" and since everyone associates owls with being wise,  Alice easily set the theme.

{DIY owl birthday invitation}

Guests were greeted with a beautiful entrance table using big tissue pom flowers and glitter letters spelling the celebrant's name.

{Printable banner from How to Nest for Less}

{Glitter letters from Hobby Lobby; putty on a wooden stick helped the letters stand}

The smash cake sat atop a beautiful cake stand from Hobby Lobby and was surrounded by more tissue poms on a slab of wood.  

{Owl Cupcake Topper from etsy shop CrumbyArt}

another customized name print from esty shop BabyByrds!

Upon arrival, guests were asked to leave a thumbprint on Sophie’s tree. The tree trunk was painted/stamped from the birthday girl's arm - how clever!

{Owl paper holders from JoAnns}

Inspired by the traditional Korean doljabi game, Alice had guests guess what Sophie would choose for her future.

{Plush owls from Pottery Barn Kids}

DIY Paper lantern owls sat atop every other table.

{Idea from mini miller}

And I love how Alice used water bottle labels as napkin rings instead.

After six months of planning, Alice spent a month putting together DIY details but I was most impressed with the sweets table where she made most of the goodies herself! 

The treats included chocolate covered pretzel rods, chocolate bird nests, candy dipped marshmallows, pink rice krispie treats, owl cupcakes and amazingly decorated owl cookies!

 

{Platter from Home Goods} 

Alice set out take out boxes for guests to pack up treats at the end of the party. Given that there wasn't a single crumb left, the sweets table was a success!

 Kids took home owl goodie bags full of random trinkets and treats.

Sophie did great with her smash cake...until everyone clapped and screamed with excitement and she got scared! Not surprisingly, this actually happens to nearly every child!

Thanks for having me Sophie! Your mama did a great job and I'm so happy the party turned out just like she envisioned!