Will's First Birthday Bash!

It may be the first day of Fall, but before I say goodbye to Summer, 2014, here are some pictures and details from Will's First Birthday Bash back in June! This was definitely one of the highlights of our Summer. Planning this party for our sweet boy was SO. MUCH. FUN. I'm in my element when I'm party planning and entertaining and I love all of the extra details! 

A little back story...Way back when, before we even knew if our little lovie was a he or a she, a tiny pair of orange pants from Baby Gap were hanging in the nursery closet. Those orange pants with the matching onesie and zip up hoodie was the snuggliest little outfit and for whatever reason, orange became the signature color of Will. So, naturally, a little orange and teal combo was the only way to go for the party. I didn't want anything too theme-y, just bright, happy decorations, good food, and lots of people and love in our house to celebrate Will. I sent my good friend Jen (of Polka Dot Posie fame) some of my inspiration pictures for the party, and she came up with a darling invitation that couldn't have been more perfect! I literally cried when she sent me the proof. 

Will's monthly pictures made for the perfect banner decoration on our mantle. I used mini clothespins to attach the pictures to twine and used this circle party banner from Stampin' Up! to weave around. 

I used a giant easel and memo board to display some of our favorite pictures of Will from his first year. These were so much fun to look at. 

My mom made this incredible banner to hang outside on our screened in porch. It was one of my favorite decorations! The tiny details really made this pop. All of the products used are from Stampin' Up! as well. 

These cute lanterns from Target's party section hung over our drink table. My mom embellished two of them with washi tape and scrapbook paper- we LOVED the way these turned out! 

I ordered orange, gray and teal straws from Etsy and grabbed orange solo cups at Party City and found the orange striped napkins at Michael's. I love using mason jars and filling them with grocery store flowers for small touches throughout the house. This is an inexpensive way to add a little something extra to tablescapes, bar areas and end tables. Even the bathroom had a mason jar filled with a few white gerber daisies. 

With the help of my parents and my professional chef Godmother, we came up with a menu that was both easy to prep and cook, and also impressive to party guests. If I have learned anything with party planning, it's that making 4-5 items in bulk is much easier than making several different appetizers and smaller bites. This menu is perfect for a Summer party! 

No first birthday party is complete without a smash cake! My sister out did herself with this sweet creation and Will diving into it was certainly the highlight of the party. Andi made a homemade funfetti cake with blue vanilla buttercream and the most darling little bunting as a cake topper. Everything about this was perfect. Love love love! 

I think this moment was one of the highlights of Will's first year of life! 

Andi also made funfetti cupcakes for dessert! Simple and sweet. 

...and the after party was just as fun!

Special thanks to my parents and sisters for ALL of their help- we couldn't have pulled this off without them. And much love and many thanks to all of our dear family and friends who came to celebrate with us! We love you all.