Pink Roses and Orange Pumpkins First Birthday Party

When planning Evelyn’s first birthday party, Nicole of Million Dollar Smile Celebrations envisioned creating not just a party, but a memory.
“Memories are forever… whether they come in the form of treasured possessions, photographs, or happy feelings that come from down deep in the heart. Evelyn’s great-grandmother, Charlyne, passed away before she could cuddle this precious baby. Taken by Alzheimer’s, the disease took away her memory but couldn’t take the decades of memories that she created for those that she loved.” The inspiration of the party came from a flurry of memories… farm life, pink Depression glass, roses, and lace. Nicole took a mixture of farm life elements and the colors of October and created a Roses and Pumpkin party to become a special memory for Evelyn.

For decor, Nicole used pumpkins, roses and lace… and lots of them! “My husband’s parents, Papa Jim & Nana Wendy, allowed me to create something a little bit country and a little bit chic in their charming backyard.”

Fabric covered straw bales became a lounge area under a large shady tree adored with hanging mason jar lanterns. She created a fun area for the kids to dine, using a hay bale covered in lace served as their table and six giant pumpkins for a fun place to pop a squat and eat a treat or two.

“Grandpa Walker’s 1940 Ford Pick-Up Truck served as the backdrop to the photo opportunities.” She surrounded it with roses and pumpkins created a produce truck — Established 2010. Look how cute Evelyn looks with her smash cake.

“Papa Jim & Nana Wendy’s antique ‘press back’ chairs accommodated conversations between sips of lemonade and bites of cookies.”

In the Elm trees, Nicole hung frames filled with photos of Evelyn’s first year, month by month.

In Great-grandma Rose’s 1950’s pink highchair, sat a pretty little lady smashing her fingers into a delicately, decorated cake.

“Grandpa Walker, my dad, lowered the truck’s tailgate down and we loaded it up with food. Fresh veggies, cheeses, crackers and breads were served next to pumpkins hollowed out and filled with hummus and ranch dressing. Fresh-baked cornbread muffins, mixed gourmet nuts, and Chick-Fil-A nuggets (a family favorite) completed the buffet-like spread.” Guests used pink depression plates, wrapped burlap napkins, and bamboo cutlery.

“Grandma Dianne, my mom, created the elements to the most yummy treat table. A rose-adored grapevine “E”, grapevine baskets holding pumpkins and roses, stained crates, and lots of pink Depression glass presented treats by some of the best in the business.”

The Cake Pop Shoppe featured a ‘Cake Pop Patch’ of simply divine pops set atop a bed of green coconut shavings and delicate and delicious pops in shades of pink and coral with tiny handmade roses stuck into hay bales.

From perfectly decorated sugar cookies by Casey’s Confections to chocolate-covered Oreos by Sweet Temptations, the pumpkins and roses theme stayed true even to the sweet stuff. Brittany, goddess of fondant from Edible Details, put the sweetest touches on the cake and The Coffee House cupcakes (made by winners of the Cupcake Wars!).

The heavenly French macaroons were bite-size and pumpkin and rose flavored. Add some caramel apples, and the treats table was perfectly pink and precious.

After the food, treats, and lots of running and chasing around the expansive lawn, the little ones picked pumpkins from the patch and visited the “Pink or Treat” candy display.

“Each guest was given a mini burlap and lace treat bag (sewn by Nana Wendy… did I mention she did all the pennants and fabric details too) and filled them with all things sugary and pink!” Before guests left, they used their thumb and an ink pad to leave a ‘print in the patch’ on the canvas painted by yours truly.

In lieu of gifts, party-goers brought donations to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.

Thanks for sharing this bbeautiful and meaningful day with us!

Pumpkin and Rose Birthday Party Helpers:

Photography – Justine Miller Photography
Floral – Lux Wedding Florist
Cake Pops – Cake Pop Shoppe
Fondant cake and cupcake toppers – Edible Details
Decorated Sugar Cookies – Casey’s Confections
Chocolate-covered Oreos – Sweet Temptations
French Macaroons – Bokolette
Cupcakes – The Coffee House
Pumpkin Patch sign – Hen with a Hammer
Felt pumpkins used on invites and painting – Crafty Goodies
Mason jar hanging lantern wires – The Cherry Grove
Striped and polka-dot paper straws – Hey Yo Yo

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