One of our favorite events this year was Marina’s 9th birthday party, and we’re so excited to finally share all the details with you! Thank you Christy Tyler Photography for capturing all the fun!
Every year, Marina’s family uses her special day to bring family together. Some family members even flew in from other countries to attend! Because it’s more than just a ‘typical children’s birthday party’, there is usually the same amount of adults as children. So, this year we wanted to make sure the space was fitting for all guests, and once we stepped into Brique (located in the Fulton Market District of Chicago), we knew it was perfect.
Brique is a super adorable venue where bright white walls meet exposed brick. The natural light and white decor was inviting for the children, yet the exposed brick and wood accents gave that “downtown Chicago loft-look” that was fun for the adults.
We talked with Marina and she told us she wanted a “horse party”. We did some research and began planning and realized a lot of our decor and games were “western related”. Marina realized she did not want a party that was fully “western” so we glammed it up to be a “western chic” birthday party. Lots of pink and lots of girly-ness. Though, we still had some activities for the little boys who attended.
Now on to the good stuff! The details. Lets start with the decor.
When guests arrived, they got to walk down the hot pink “red carpet” to get inside. Hanging on the door was horse shoe shaped floral wreath. Finally just inside the doors was a welcome sign designed the same as her invitation. What a way to enter!
Our big surprise for Marina was the life sized horse sculpture that had a gorgeous wreath crafted by Avant Gardenia.
What better way to distinguish the girls and boys bathrooms than to hang “cowgirl” and “cowboy” hats over the doors! The bar for the adults had a burlap sign that said “watering hole” across the front. And of course we couldn’t forget a greenery arrangement in the shape of a horse shoe, outlining another floral piece in the shape of a 9! This focal piece was set in the middle of the room above where guests put their presents.
Here is some closer up detail of the main room and guest seating. We had long wood tables with light pink runners and white gunmetal chairs. The centerpieces included flowers such as spray roses, peonies, hydrangea, stock, tulips, hyacinth, scabiosa and more. A smaller combination of these flowers were put inside mini cowboy boots for the high boy arrangements. Our floral designer, Avant Gardenia, also made horses out of moss to place on the children’s guest tables. Finally, we added some simple cute arrangements on the back wall in the white shelving that’s built into the space.
Next is the photo booth! We had some amazing props from Chicago Props; such as a giant wagon wheel, hay bales, a white fence, some rope and large barrels. Our backdrop we purchased off of Etsy, and the horse shoe was constructed out of rope by Reenie Rose. The photo booth attendant brought some of his own props, but we also added to them by purchasing a few horse head sticks for kids to take pictures with. We also had a wall that strung pink and brown hats for the girls and boys to take pictures with AND bring home as a favor.
Lets talk about the dessert table, it was both decorative and delicious! We hung a huge sign with Marina’s name carved out of rope, also designed by Reenie Rose, in front of our DIY pink ribbon backdrop. Elysia Root Cakes made us horse cake pops which we stuck in hay bales to prop them up. Boutique Bites made the rest of our desserts which included cinnamon sugar churros, Key Lime Pie Tarts, and Salted Caramel Donuts.
Lets not forget about the precious cake in the middle of the dessert table! This cake was also made by Elysia Root. She replicated the invitation floral on the front of the cake, and added little figurines that depicted Marina and a horse on the top.
There was plenty of activities for the children to do while at the party. The craft table had wooden horse shoes that kids could paint. There was “wanted” signs that kids could decorate and write their name (we wanted to make sure there was boy-friendly crafts as well). Also, there was a necklace station with horse key chains that the girls could construct as well. We had a balloon twister, face painter, magician, caricaturist, DJ and line dance instructor. All these activities kept the kids engaged and excited the entire time!
And finally as guests were leaving they were able to take a horse cookie favor (made by Bittersweet) and mini milkshake!
Marina is one very special and lucky girl, and we cannot wait until Marina’s 10th birthday next year!
– The Effortless Events Team
Show off the season you get married!
Rings with your loved ones.
Rings on rings on rings.
Resting on top of the lace from your wedding dress.
