1st Birthday Party Planning

Some of you have asked what I'm planning for Violet's 1st Birthday Party so I thought I'd share just a few details! I don't have much prepared even just a month away - just a whole lotta ideas that I need to get done ASAP. (I don't think I'll stop being a procrastinator!) I've also never hosted a big party like this on my own before so I'm pretty clueless but hoping that working in the event management biz for 5 years has rubbed off on me a bit. One can hope!

Theme:
When I found out Violet was a girl (and named Violet! :) I decided that we would have a Willy Wonka themed party. I pinned ideas like crazy but just about 2 weeks ago, I got over it. Just like that. So a new theme was born: Confetti + Glitter! (Said just like Flo the Progressive girl says "Unicorns and Glitter!". Am I the only one who remembers these things?) It's a simple and easy idea but still very girly. So the Pinterest board was updated and I finally got going and started everything off by asking my amah-zing friend Brittany to design the invitations. (Please go visit her blog and Etsy shop, she's the best!)

These are just a few ideas that really got the ball rolling. 

You can see more on my Violet's Party Pinterest board.

When:

Saturday, March 9th, two weekends after Violet's February 28th birthday.

Where:

Our house just isn't laid out for a party like this so we decided on a park right down the street from our house. I was nervous at first because of our wishy washy weather at that time of year but considering we're already about to hit 80 degrees, I'm hoping we'll be ok on that day. I was also worried about how we'd make an outdoor pavilion feel girly and sparkly but I'm up for the challenge! We'll be in this small pavilion right near one of the park's playgrounds so at least it's not a lot of space to have to decorate.

Who's Invited:

Violet gets nervous with huge crowds of strangers in her face so we decided to keep the guest list small. But that's easier said than done when I have close to 80 people on each side of my parent's families. Ronnie's family is much smaller but add in our friends and it's been tough making the list. We finally narrowed it down to immediate family + friends and family with little ones (plus just a few people who don't have kids but they're important to us and we would like them there). I'm dreading the guilt trips from those we didn't invite! 

To Do:

I have all kinds of DIY projects planned: banners, confetti to add to little pockets on the back of the invitation, serving trays I'd like to personalize, a couple cupcake stands I want to make and creating + adding glitter to treat bags, food labels, etc. There will be so much glitter I'm sure I'm gonna find it in Violet's diapers at some point. ha!

I also need to sit down with Ronnie to finalize the guest list (oy.), decide on what activities/games we'll have, finalize the menu and then get with my friends who have volunteered to help me with cooking, baking, DIY'ing. So the next few weekends are about to get ca-razy!

And because I'm such a tease (hey, I love surprises myself!), here's a sneak peek of the invitation that Brittany has put together. She's working on the final proof but what she already put together is PERFECT!

So what do you think? Any ideas/tips for me? 

Any wine recommendations? (I'm looking into becoming a heavy drinker starting NOW.)