Hostess with the Mostess®
Welcome to Mason & Victoria’s BIG Top! Melissa Wilson celebrated her twins first birthdays with a Rustic & Vintage Carnival Party. Feast your eyes on the detailed decorations and fabulous party ideas including the creative bunting, fancied up high chairs and the playful drink stand! (And for more Vintage Carnival Ideas go here and here.)
PARTY HIGHLIGHTS to look out for:
– Adorable Popcorn & Gum Ball Dispenser Cake Pops
– Eclectic Ticket and Pattern Bunting Banners & Red Curtain Photo Booth
– Wooden Drink Stand with Mason Jars and Mustache & Lip Straws
– Banner Decorated Cake and Pound Cake + Rainbow Lollipop Favors
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PARTY DETAILS, as told by Melissa…
:
For my twins first birthday I wanted to create something fun and spectacular with a Vintage theme. I decided a Carnival would be a great way to celebrate their first year. It took me several months to plan and I think it was definitely over the top and fabulous!
I created the party around a metal Ferris Wheel I had purchased while I was pregnant. At the time I had fallen in love with it with nowhere to put it or no use for it at all but I knew I would find its purpose someday. I wanted unique elements with a lot of personal touches. I started with the invitation and it all fell into place from there.
I had the amazing Jessica from Quilted Polka Dot hand craft an invitation with a cut out sparkly red Ferris Wheel as the focal point. Jessica also created all of my paper products and I created my main table around one of Jessicas Circus photo shoots.
The second main piece that helped the party come to life was the babies outfits made by Amelie Jo.
We had a lot of DIY elements including the Drink Stand built by my amazing in-laws. The grand BIG TOP entrance was a DIY team effort including my husband, brother in law and in laws. I love photo booths and props. I have had one or the other or both at every event in my life including my bridal shower, wedding and baby shower. I found it appropriate to include one for the babies as well. The photo booth was also a DIY project again with the help of my talented mother in law with the exception of the Marquee letters which I had custom made by Junk Art Gypsyz .
I wanted to give something away that was homemade and my husbands grandmother (Blue Grandma) makes the most amazing pound cake so whoa la Pound cake it was. I asked her to bake 90 mini pound cakes which we wrapped in chevron fabric and tied with a blue bow. I set the pound cakes in a planter and gave them away as an extra parting goodie. Everyone called the next day asking for any leftovers that’s how good it it.
I am in love with burlap. I dont know when burlap became the new cool but I love it and it was everywhere. The kids goodie bags were burlap bags which I hand stamped with a rubber Ferris Wheel stamp. I filled them with fun vintage type toys and candy. The main tables backdrop was a DIY project with the babies initials sponge painted on two large pieces of burlap. We used burlap for the drink stands table cloth as well as the gift table. For centerpieces I used vintage style mini popcorn machines that sat on top of mustache printed burlap.
We served lunch and had Mrs Paella set up and cook Arroz Con Pollo (yellow rice with chicken) for the guests.
Cake Pops are always fun and I wanted something with a vintage feel. I went with chocolate and vanilla custom cake pops made by Connie’s Treats in the shape of Gumball Machines and Popcorn bags.
Cake was a big deal to me. I wanted a good old fashioned cake and Publix makes the best cake around so Publix it was. Found an amazing cake decorator at a local Publix and she did a great job with my vision for simple and vintage.
To complete the carnival we had several lawn games including a giant Connect 4, Ring Toss and corn hole.
Last but not least a carnival isn’t complete without a face painter, a live animal show and an old school ice cream truck riding up with music. I contracted Safari Edventures in Miami to bring a wide range of animals including a kangaroo, aardvark, sloth, porcupine and alligator to name a few. The kids all loved the animals. Who doesn’t love a good soft serve! The ice cream truck was definitely a hit not only with the kids but adults included.
The babies had a great time and both enjoyed their over sized cupcakes. I had been practicing singing Happy Birthday and they were excited to hear the crowd sing to them.
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VENDOR CREDITS & RESOURCES:
– Invitation, paper products: Quilted Polka Dot
– Photographer: Luis Vargas Photography
– Twins Party Clothes: Amelie Jo and Janie and Jack
– Cake: Publix
– Cake Pops: Connie’s Treats
– Marquee Letters: Junk Art Gypsyz
– Photo Booth Props: Kitty Dune Cuts
– Animal Show: Safari Edventure
– Arroz con Pollo: Mrs Paella
– Tables, Chair, Tent, Bounce House: All Time Party Rent
Hostess with the Mostess®