Explorer First Birthday

Ever since she was born, our daughter has been our "explorer baby." When it came time to plan her first birthday party, it only took a little deliberation to choose an explorer theme.

I designed a themed table for each category of female explorers: space, science, the West, etc. The color theme was navy, white, and aqua, with pops of gold, coral, and orange as accents.

Each table had profiles of the explorers and the interesting lives they led: Osa Johnson, who was her filmmaker husband's bodyguard and camp boss; "Stagecoach Mary" Fields, the first female mail carrier in the Wild West; Mary Sherman, the first female rocket scientist, and more!

We sent out invitation packets inviting guests to join Kate's "expedition" into toddlerhood. The party was held on the veranda of a local nature center. When guests arrived, they were invited to join a scavenger hunt and then sit down for "trail rations" of barbecue (including baked beans, as any good trail meal must!). The drink bar featured mason jar glasses for guests to use at the party and take home with them.

The head tables profiled explorers of the sea, and the nautical theme carried through the dessert table. Even the smash cake had a wave motif!

Before guests left the party, they were invited to sign the globe "guest book," enjoy custom blueberry and coconut fortune cookie, and take a photo in the sequined photobooth!

Vendors:
Design and planning: mother of the birthday girl
Photography: Hello Sweetie Photography (https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1402843393295592)
Calligraphy: Sarah Bohl Designs (http://sarahbohldesigns.net)
Day-of concierge services: Recovered Moments (http://www.recoveredmoments.com)
Birthday cakes: Stacey's Cakes (https://m.facebook.com/groups/107400084906)
Fortune cookies: Fancy Fortune Cookies (http://www.fancyfortunecookies.com)

• What People Ate

  Ribs, pulled pork, mac and cheese, beans, salad bar

• What People Drank

  Tea, lemonade, still and sparkling water

• Desserts

  Dessert bar with cake, marshmallow treats, "lemonies," sugared blueberries, and cheese

• Party Favors

  Mason jar mugs, custom fortune cookies, and favor boxes filled with popcorn or animal crackers

• Activities / Games

  Scavenger hunt, photobooth

• Hello Sweetie Photography

  Photographer

  https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1402843393295592

• Stacey's Cakes

  Baker

  https://m.facebook.com/groups/107400084906

• Sarah Bohl

  Calligrapher

  http://sarahbohldesigns.net

• Recovered Moments

  Day-of Concierge

  http://www.recoveredmoments.com