Tags

, , , , , , , ,

One of the most recent parties I have planned was one that I will never forget!

How often does one get to host a 100th Birthday party? Earlier this month I had the honor of throwing this party fundraiser, benefiting the Arboretum Foundation, for local gardening icon Nancy Davidson Short!

I love incorporating vintage elements into my event design and wanted the party to have a look of “nostalgic elegance meets rustic gardening” so when I met Beckie from Vintage Ambiance Event Rentals I knew she would help me nail it! If you are looking for vintage elements for your next event or wedding – you must check her out! Her vision was spot on!

The guests were awed by the pieces she brought in for the party – It all started with me wanting to have a unique and intimate seating area for the Birthday girl to sit where she could comfortably greet and visit with her guests. Doesn’t she just look wonderful perched on this incredible white settee?

Beckie’s vision extended to other seating areas for the guests…

…and a stunning chandelier hung above this sideboard highlighting one of the food stations.

She brought in all the cut glass we used as candle holders and vases that we filled with Arboretum cuttings.

Food was beautifully displayed on her silver and crystal platters. These most delicious appetizers were provided by Cameron Catering and were definitely a highlight of the evening (with the addition of a budget conscience veggie tray and the most wonderful cheese in Seattle donated by Beecher’s.)

Oh! And then there were the freshly shucked oysters courtesy of Taylor Shellfish – Yes! They will gladly come out to your event and shuck oysters on site! And it is amazingly affordable.

Music further set the tone with the local group, The Laughing Rose Duo. They were just so much fun and added the perfect upbeat, vintage party atmosphere.

For dessert, we wanted to do something a bit different so we hired local sensation, Hot Cakes, to come in and serve fresh from the oven, molten chocolate cakes – in a jar. Such wonderful toppings. Yum!

Nancy is not such a big fan of cake – the traditional birthday dessert – so Hot Cakes made a very special ice cream sundae, with their handmade ice cream.

We used a set of sparklers instead of candles – it looked great but was much more difficult to blow out than a candle – boy did she give it her best though!

Guests took photos and wrote special notes to Nancy at our home-spun photo booth – more fabulous work by Vintage Ambiance Rentals.

We used an old garden gate to display the photos and notes (later to be assembled into a nice keepsake book for the birthday girl and her family.)

And a vintage steamer trunk to hold all the dress-up props. I had such fun making these mustaches and lips on sticks 🙂

Each guest went home with a small potted plant to thank them for supporting the Arboretum and remind them of the wonderful evening.

To finish off the night we enjoyed a stunning fire dancing performance at sunset by Jonathan of Celsius and his team.

To pay tribute to our centenarian, they incorporated green fire (her favorite color and the color of plants, of course!) and  lit up a “100” in the finale!

What a show!

What a night!

Photos courtesy of the Arboretum Foundation.