Emma's 25th Birthday

INTIMATE CINDERELLA 25TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
Disney-themed parties are for more than just little princesses. Remembering when Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL, did a castle overlay to look like a pink birthday cake, complete with the number 25 in icing and sprinkles, I knew it would be the perfect theme for a 25th birthday party for my Disney-loving daughter, Emma. The party was planned as a party to go because it would be planned at my home in PA and set up and celebrated at Emma’s apartment in Boston, MA. Per Emma’s request, an avid reader, she asked for a Kindle for a birthday gift and a book-related party theme. I had to incorporate her request with my already planned Cinderella’s 25th Castle theme (this aspect being a surprise), and the result was truly magical.
The guest list was an intimate affair of immediate family members and friends who live in Boston. Dinner would be at my daughter’s favorite restaurant, Yvonnes in Boston, followed by dessert, gifts, and a celebration of 25 years back at her apartment. The highlight of the dessert was the birthday cake and custom sugar cookies. Clay’s Bakery of Berwyn, PA (claysbakery.net), her favorite bakery (and her 25th birthday cake from there), made a custom-designed pound cake with buttercream frosting in beautiful, muted Cinderella colors. Jeromee of Royally Iced (https://www.instagram.com/royallyiced/) made the gorgeous sugar cookies, a modification from her Etsy shop’s Disney cookies to be a Cinderella theme. The cake and cookies were too pretty to eat, but they were delicious and enjoyed by all.
As a party to go, one of the gifts was a chic silver rolling tote by Hulken Bag (hulkenbag.com) to transport all the birthday goodies in style. It was also an excellent gift for Emma to use when running errands in the city. In addition to the Kindle she wanted and several books, the birthday girl received many Walt Disney World 25th anniversary and Cinderella-themed heirloom quality items used as party decor. Each gift was carefully chosen to reflect Emma's love for Disney and her 25th birthday. A beautiful Lele Sadoughi (https://www.lelesadoughi.com/) birthstone headband, a bespoke wand by Shabbyforme (https://www.etsy.com/shop/Shabbyforme), and a monogrammed Cinderella keepsake princess party hat by Storybook Goods (https://www.etsy.com/shop/StorybookGoods) were the perfect touches. These gifts were not just items, but symbols of our love and appreciation for Emma.
Gifts were all wrapped in gorgeous handmade paper from The Paper Source (thepapersource.com), and each was topped with a glass ornament, primarily Glitterville brand found at my favorite holiday shop, Peace of Mind Designs (https://peaceofmind-designs.com/). Each gift was adorned with gorgeous ribbons and trim, including handwritten tags from the Chalk Designs By Me (https://www.chalkdesignsbyme.com). Wrapping gifts may be my favorite aspect of party planning. That, and tossing the custom-made “Once Upon a Time” bespoke confetti by Bash Boutique (https://bashboutiqueparty.com/). Confetti was tossed everywhere, and all the party decor was from small shops. Despite an intimate affair, the birthday girl felt like turning 25 was truly once upon a dream. Following the party, unique items were used to create a beautiful flatlay during a group class with Kelsey Klos, author of "The Art of the Flaylay."

• What People Ate

  Fine cuisine at Yvonnes Boston (https://www.yvonnesboston.com/)

• What People Drank

  Champagne & speciality cocktails

• Desserts

  Custom decorated pound cake with buttercream icing from Clay's Bakery in Berwyn, PA, and sugar cookies in Cinderella theme by Etsy shop Royally Iced

• Party Favors

  Bespoke Cinderella wand and crown for the birthday girl

• Activities / Games

  Disney movies & trivia