Kiddie Parties
Ava's Picnic Party - 1st Birthday
The touch of the sun like a warm hand caressing the face; the rustling leaves as a cool, gentle breeze blows by; a red and white checkered cloth spread on a carpet of soft, green grass and the delicious smell coming from a wicker basket laden with a feast to enjoy with the family – these are the most vivid pictures the mind conjures at the thought of a picnic. It’s one of those family bonding moments that delights the heart even many years later. Bespoke Manila and K by Cunanan were aiming to inspire the same feelings and they did not disappoint. It was a perfect and seamless collaboration that gave 1-year-old Ava an unforgettable birthday celebration.
The stage was a pretty little garden with luxuriant rose bushes covered in beautiful red blooms, lush ferns, and some vines winding their way up a trellis. Roses and aster beautifully arranged in small glass jars and vases were set on tree stump tables and wooden crates creating a shabby chic vibe. Vintage candle lanterns were filled with sheet moss and paired with an evergreen succulent and pretty red daisies. It’s a scene straight out of a Better Homes and Garden feature!
The tables were draped with soft cream-colored table linen with a burlap table runner and a square, red and white checkered cloth. A small wooden crate box filled with apples, a vintage bottle with red daisies, and vases filled with refreshing Baby’s Breath blooms and ornamental grass made such a lovely table centerpiece. Friends and family most certainly dined with pleasure in such a setting.
For Ava’s young guests, it’s all about the picnic fun. Next to the stage, huge bean bag cushions were arranged around a low table that was just as beautifully decorated as the daddies and mommies’ tables but with the addition of a cute puppy stuffed toy to delight them.
Jaws most certainly dropped at the sight of Ava’s towering 4-tier cake. The huge first layer, covered in white fondant, was adorned with branches of apples and a red fondant bow. The next two look like vintage layer cakes “just like grandma used to make”. Gorgeous red gumdrop daisies, a red and white checkered picnic blanket made of fondant adorn these two layers along with Ava’s name made with sugar syrup candy. The topmost layer of cake was made to look like a wicker picnic basket with a slice of fondant watermelon and fruits. It’s a feast for the eyes and the palate!
Keeping Ava’s awesome cake company were an array of mouth-watering desserts. There were trays of cupcakes, some covered with a swirl of green buttercream frosting and wonderful little fondant daisies, while others looked divine with a swirl of white buttercream frosting and fondant watermelon. Picnic cups filled with caramel popcorn, plates of cake pops and huge glass jars filled with sweet spongy marshmallows and gummy candies were sure to be a hit to both the kids and kids at heart. Be sure to check out these delightful sugar cookies and Rice Krispies treats all decorated with a picnic theme! And to wash these down, guests enjoyed fresh milk served in vintage bottles with red and white straws and decked with red and white cloth ribbons. It’s a little piece of “sweet-tooth-heaven”.
So that Ava’s guests can relax and mingle, a table was artfully arranged with different kinds of cheeses, meats, some crudité, fruits, pickles, an assortment of nuts, and some crackers and dips. The grazing table was made even more attractive with huge white candles, vases of Eucalyptus leaves and some red daisies arranged in vintage glass bottles designed at the top with twine. The awesome folks from K by Cunanan Catering have really outdone themselves this time. They even served unique artisanal ice cream flavors on top of the generous helpings they served. It’s a “party in the mouth” right there!
There’s a sudden burst of energy as children compete in a donuts-eating contest. What an amazing game… you get to enjoy the yummy donuts and get a cool prize to boot! And that’s not all – want to try your luck at the ring toss? There’s a bean bag toss and a spill-the-milk game booth too. Hooray!
Guests posed in this quaint photowall – a background of hemp fabric, a green carpet for the grassy picnic grounds and some red and white kites that they can “fly”. Simple but genius!
Looking very much like a female version of her dad, Ava is the apple of his eye. From the time of her birth, it has been a precious year of firsts from recognizing mommy and daddy to taking her first step. Ava’s first birthday is a celebration of all her firsts, and more, it’s a celebration of family!
Concept and full planning:
Bespoke Manila
Styling:
K by Cunanan and
Bespoke Manila
Photographer:
Dapple Photo
Videographer:
Lemon Three Films
Cake and Desserts:
Sugarplum Pastries
Food:
K by Cunanan Catering
Photobooth:
Walking Photoman
Entertainment:
Jive Mnl
Lights and Sounds:
Sensivitvity
Invitations:
Amis Print
Venue:
Blue Leaf McKinley