sunkissed+seven - a 70's beach party!

 

This year Lauren requested early on that she wanted her birthday party to be a “surprise”… she didn’t want to know what the theme was, when the party was going to be, or any details at all! So, it made it pretty easy to “make up” a theme altogether since she wasn’t choosing it herself! Once I decided to host her party at the beach - I just knew that a summery-70’s vibe would be a fun way to celebrate her 7th birthday! I decided to call it “sunkissed & seven” and I am thrilled to report that we managed to pull off the surprise (barely!) and she had such a fun day at the beach with all of her friends!

DECOR

We rented a covered gazebo area beside the beach that we used for the party area. I set up a rattan room divider as a sort of backdrop, and decorated it with a variety of honeycombs from A Little Confetti, and a little felt + vinyl sign that matched the rest of the party graphics and invitation that I designed! I also stepped a little out of my comfort zone and created floral arrangements for the picnic tables and backdrop! I also set up this super cute camper van tent for the kids to hang out in, and set out a few pool floats that the kids could swim with (the surfboard was so fun!). I also used rattan plant stands to display the favour bags, and floral arrangement, and set out another basket with beach towels.

tabletop

I found the cutest tableware from A Little Confetti for the place settings! I used a combination of the peach checkered dinner plates, these beige-y/peach arch-shaped plates, and these mocha arch napkins with a pretty gold detail. For the cups, I found thrifted a few vintage peach coloured cups, and then also got a set of brown amber plastic cups. To make sure everyone knew which cup was theirs, I made little round tags to hang on the edge of the cups with the guest’s names on them! I also ordered a custom vinyl sticker to the plates

The beach we hosted the party at has covered pavilions to use for private events, and there are big wooden picnic tables already there to use, which made set up even easier! I dressed them up a little bit with tablecloths, a few different table runners.

favours

I really wanted to add a little crochet element to add to the 70’s feel of the party, so I decided to make each of the guests a little shoulder bag! I found a variety of patterns for granny squares, and (with my mom’s help!) we had fun crocheting 12 unique designs to sew onto these little canvas zipper bags (I found them at Dollar Tree!).

Inside each bag was Sunbum SPF lip balm, a pair of sunglasses, a smiley face iron-on patch, and a hair scrunchie! I also found these adorable camper van charms that I set out for the guests to make bracelets with, as well as a few macrame kits to make keychains. I was worried the weather wouldn’t cooperate and that we’d need a few activities to do, and even though we lucked out with a sunny afternoon, a few of the girls enjoyed a little crafting anyway.

I also found peachy-orange frisbees at the dollar store, and added a vinyl design (you can download it here!) to them to match the party!

the cake

I am NOT a cake expert, but for some reason I like to make my kids’ birthday cakes! For this cake - I stacked three 8” cakes, and cut the 4th one in half and put it on top for an arched/sunset shape! I divided a batch of buttercream into 4 different bowls to make different colours, and sort of painted them all on, and then scraped the sides. I made the cake topper by printing out the #7 design on sticker paper and putting it on a piece of craft balsa wood. I also got these amazing vinyl die-cut stickers made at Sticker Mule! I stuck them on the paper plates at each table setting, and it was a last-minute decision to add one to the cake but I’m so glad I did! Unfortunately, it was REALLY windy when we went to sing happy birthday, so we couldn’t light the cute candles I had for the cake, instead we did a #7 sparkler! (and took the cake into the camper van tent to blow out the candles after!!)

tableware + honeycombs // A Little Confetti

custom die cut stickers // Sticker Mule

cookies + mini cupcakes // Blueeyed Baker

planning + design // emelbe design

photography // emelbe design

 
BIRTHDAY PARTIESMerissa Breensunkissed, seven, 7, birthday party, 7th birthday partyComment