Baby’s First Birthday Party: “Let the Wild Rumpus Start!”

Hello Sweet Mommies! If you are anything like me, your little one’s birthday party is so VERY important! Right?! Like, the moment I thought about my sweet little baby boy turning one.. I cried. And.. then I started planning his special celebration. I just knew it had to be PERFECT!

“And.. they named him King of all Wild Things!”

Now, we shared a special celebration for my sweet Avery’s first birthday in August. So, this blog post is well overdue. However, life has been hectic and CRAZY! I am sure some of you all can relate. But, that is why taking photos of special moments like this is so GREAT. It is for those times when you want to look back and reminisce on precious moments to have as memories to cherish for a lifetime. So, if your little one’s special day is soon approaching or you just need some inspiration to spark your creative juices for an upcoming event, here is a little party inspiration.

Anyways, I am so excited to FINALLY have the chance to share this special day and all of the details! So, get READY for a ton of photos by the amazing Theresa Matherne with Theresa Elizabeth Photography. Theresa, you ALWAYS do such a wonderful job at capturing such precious moments throughout my family and I’s life! Trust me, there were so MANY cute moments from Avery’s first birthday.. that it was REALLY hard to narrow it down. I sincerely hope this blog post captures the festivity of the day.. and inspires you to get creative with your celebrations to come!

Banner | Wild Rumpus Boutique

If it is not clear, my son’s birthday party was inspired from the children’s picture book, Where the Wild Things Are, by American writer and illustrator Maurice Sendak. I just love this children’s book and its theme of mysterious, “wild things”. I thought it was a perfect fit for my little “wild thing”, Avery. I just thought it to be suitable! Like most, I had to have a pre-party photoshoot for my little guy that would get everyone excited about the upcoming event. I even made my little dude’s photoshoot smash cake all on my VERY own. For more photo’s of Avery’s “Where the Wild Things Are” photoshoot, click here.

So, for starters.. a party is NO party without fabulous invitations with cute wording that captures the theme! Like, seriously.. aren’t these invitations by Cloud 9 Factory on Etsy absolutely FABULOUS?! I just love collaborating with this creative gal. We just click! It is totally normal for us to get a little out of hand with our ideas. Nevertheless, the final product is ALWAYS so rewarding! I must say, I even blew myself away with these Pinterest worthy invitations. What do you think?

Let The Wild Rumpus Start! Avery, King Of All Wild Things Is Turning One! Join us for a celebration and some mischief on Saturday, August 12, 2017 at 2:00 PM! Please RSVP or We’ll Eat You Up!

I absolutely LOVE details! If you know me well, then you already know I am ALL about the details. So, I chose to add some festive ambiance to the fireplace with the photos from Avery’s “Where the Wild Things Are” photoshoot. I just thought it was a cute touch and a good idea of displaying his photos. Check it out!

Now, lets talk about this dessert table and backdrop. I mean, how insanely gorgeous are all of these desserts?! Like, my mouth is watering just looking at it. It was a definite that this table had to be nothing short of perfect. So, that is when I decided to have Sucré
create a cake, smash cake, and coordinating desserts to compliment the children’s picture book.

The themed cake and dessert table was baked with every detail in mind and created by Chef Tariq and his amazing team of pastry chefs and artist. If you ask me, they did not disappoint and certainly captured it perfectly! From the strawberry cream cheese puffs with horns down to the mini cupcakes made to look like miniature versions of King Max’s crown, each and every dessert was created and inspired to capture some element from the children’s book. Oh, and lets not forget the assortment of tasty macaroons! Yum.

And.. some MORE goodies to “GNASH” your teeth into!!!

But, time for cake! Ya’ll.. this cake was E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G!!! I mean, it was so wonderful that I did not even want to cut it. Not only was it absolutely adorable, but it was tasty as well! I could sit here and go on and on about it. But, I think pictures speak more loudly than words. So, I will just leave this right here. Mic DROP!

Moss Cake Stand | Created by Me! 😉

Cookies | For the Love of Cookies

As for the dessert table backdrop, I did a little “DIY”. I hand painted and glued moss to each of these little wooden letters that read “Wild One”, which I bought from Michaels Craft Store. I also had my younger brother and a family friend help me with building the backdrop made out of dusty, old pallets that I gathered after our home’s garden was finished being installed. I mean, talk about #winning! Hehe. I then hot glued the moss covered letters onto the pallet wall and placed an assortment of grasses, other mosses, and green vinery throughout. I just love the finished product! Do you?

I also hand painted signs to place throughout our home for the party. I did get a lot of my inspiration for these signs from Pinterest. I started by buying some plain wooden board signs from Michaels, paint pens, and chose some of my favorite quotes from the book. From there, I just started drawing away! I thought the sign below was a cute little detail to keep guest and any little “wild things” from going upstairs.

“Then far away across the world he smelled good things to eat!” Now, if you think the dessert table was nothing short of Ahhh-MAZING. Well, neither was my kitchen filled with hot and savory things to munch on! I loved working with Mr. Mudbug & 12 Seasons Catering. If you think my creativity impresses you. Well, you have not yet met Kristin. She was AMAZING to work with! She was so helpful and took the time to listen to all of my ideas. I loved how she went above and beyond to name each individual food item after something inspirational in the book. If you do not believe me, just take a look for yourself. Warning!!! If you are hungry, I suggest you scroll on by VERY quickly.

Louisiana “Swamp” Meat Pies | Boudin “Bites”

Moss Ball | Assorted Salad Finger Sandwiches

Asher’s Fruit Bowl | Slider Station: Angus Burgers, Crab Cakes, & Cochon de Lait

Oh, and do NOT get me started on BJ’s “Sweet and Savory” Popcorn bar. I think this was the real hit with ALL of the kids at the party. Yep, that is right.. there was freshly popped popcorn accompanied by a variety of sweet and savory toppings which included assorted candies, chocolate pieces, and many more additional surprises!

Refreshments served from a Rustic Pirogue

And.. we all know a house full of “Wild Things” deserves a specialty cocktail of some Sort. Like this wild juice called “Swamp Water”. How stinking cute is this drink??? I have to admit, this drink surely did have a kick and lived up to its name! But, it was a perfect way to top off a party. I think my guest would have to agree. Cheers!

Swamp Water Cocktail | Mr. Mudbug & 12 Seasons Catering

In my opinion, a party is NO party without some fresh florals! I am a sucker for beautiful floral arrangements. Like, a total MUST or else. I wanted a whimsical, yet woodsy wildflower vibe. I felt like placing the florals in mason jars would give it a real masculine, yet rustic look. And.. I must say they turned out to be even more FABULOUS than I had expected. I have my talented cousin, Christina Williams McGrath, with Plantation Decor Inc. to thank for these little “WILDLY” cute arrangements!

And what would a party be without any photo props?! I just loved the way this photo prop turned out. Again, I have my younger brother and a family friend to thank for this also. I am too afraid to handle any type of tools or machinery that may consist of sharp objects! lol. However, it was fairly easily and all you need is a handy man or two, some wood, a hammer, nails, and some spray glue. I went online, found a cute photo, and ordered a large poster size off of Vistaprint. Super EASY.. and SUPER cute! I must say, this little cutie makes this photo prop even more cute. Would you just look at that smile!

All of Avery’s party guest walked away with goodies as well! I created a table full of cute, little succulents from The Succulent Source. I just loved the way this table turned out! I loved all of the wild, but earthy elements that it brought to the party. I also paired it next to the same little teepee scene that I created for Avery’s “Where the Wild Things Are” first birthday photoshoot as well.

In my opinion, everything was absolutely perfect! Honestly, there is not one thing I would have changed. I am truly grateful for all of the family and friends able to come together and celebrate Gerard and I’s little boy! Again, I still cannot believe that I am the mother of a toddler. Seriously! How did this all happen so fast?!