Party Recap...

When Connor’s mom and I first met, we had our meeting at the lovely Sherman Library and Gardens. It was a cute little niche in Newport Beach that the mommy had her sights on for her little man’s all-important first birthday. And the theme she had in mind? Being born in the year of the rabbit, she chose Beatrix Potter’s infamous character: Peter Rabbit. With the beautiful garden as the backdrop and a theme like Peter Rabbit, ideas for the party overflowed.

DÉCOR

While I wanted to keep with the theme of Peter Rabbit, I wanted it done in a very subtle way. I used light green and blue colors to bring the natural beauty from the garden. I added small details like buttons and pinwheels throughout the party. The centerpieces for the guest tables were handmade moss-covered Peter Rabbit figurines wearing his iconic blue jacket, sitting inside a white picket fence. These were so coveted that the mom had to raffle them off so the guests wouldn’t fight over them!

I designed the main head table with the thought of bringing the garden inside. I had small wheelbarrows filled with potted hydrangeas, an apothecary jar with terra cotta pots filled with handmade clay carrots, and soft tissue pompoms in the backdrop to give the feel of clouds. Connor’s name block was made using the illustrated pages from the book, a keepsake Connor got to have to remind him of this day.

KID’S ACTIVITY TABLE

The children had a table set just for them to entertain. The activity station had Peter Rabbit coloring pages, bubbles (which they had fun running around the garden creating bubble delights), and a mini pot to decorate and take home to start their very own garden.

DESSERT AND FAVORS

Kids and grownups alike had their sweet tooth satisfied with the dessert table. There were mini bundt cakes from Nothing Bundt Cakes, various desserts (such as banana pudding, mini macaroons, and strawberry shortcakes) from The Sugar Angel, and plenty of candy to indulge.

Connor’s little guests were treated to their own copy of Beatrix Potter’s The Tale of Peter Rabbit to take home, as well as cookies that had various illustrations from her book. And, of course, a Korean first birthday party favor isn’t complete without rice cakes (dduk) for the grownups.

The lovely lunch party ended with the traditional Korean first birthday “game” of doljabi. A ceremony in which the birthday boy is given various symbolic objects to choose from that is said to predict his future.

It was such a delight to work with Connor’s mom to create an elegant and unique memory for their family. And many thanks to Shoots and Giggles Photography for capturing this memory so beautifully!

VENDORS

Venue: Sherman Library and Gardens
Event Styling, Design, and Coordination: Elenique Designs
Photography: Shoots and Giggles Photography
Birthday Cake: Nothing Bundt Cakes
Bundtinis: Nothing Bundt Cakes
Banana pudding, Strawberry shortcakes, Mini macaroons, and Peter Rabbit cookies: The Sugar Angel
Banner, bundtini topper, and labels: Elenique Designs