Gregory’s 1st Birthday!!!! Complete Overload of Pictures!

I apologize because this is going to be long with way too many pictures but I wanted to share. I’ve always found reviews to be so helpful so if there is anything I can share here that will help someone I really want to do it.


First, I have to say how overwhelmed I was with emotion as we celebrated Gregory’s 1st Birthday. Holding this little boy in my arms heals everything – all the worry that I would never have these moments again are completely washed away.

Birthdays are special in and of themselves. It’s not the party or the details that make it special…it’s the people you are surrounded with. It’s the child that you are celebrating who makes the day special. We are blessed to have a very big family with the most loving people anyone could ever hope to have in their lives. They are beyond generous in their love and support and I am grateful and proud every day that my children have them in their lives.

I am very fortunate to have some very good friends by my side as well. Too many to name but they all hold a special place in my heart.

I have to thank Tine73 for being so amazing. From cake pop lessons to constant discussions about themes, shopping and ideas all the way to stopping what she was doing to help me set up the dessert table. You know you have a true blue friend when they push your “I’m okay” comments to the side and tell you that they won’t stand there and not help – and then help. Thank you a hundred times over.

Salason for keeping me sane on train rides with text messages and cheering on my crazy ideas. In the middle of all of this party planning we were preparing for Gregory’s surgery follow-up and my stomach was in knots thinking “what if things didn’t work out and I put my baby through surgery for nothing” and there Allison was – always thinking of us. Thank you a hundred times over too!



Vendors

Restaurant | Kasey’s - Rockville Centre
I cannot say enough about how fantastic Kasey’s has been through the whole planning process up to and including the event. We worked with Danny Quinn and he was the best! Cool, calm and collect he made sure that everything I wanted for this part happened. He knows his restaurant and he knows it well. He gave us the best suggestions between serving buffet for our 100 guests to providing all the space we needed and set up. To be able to leave things in such capable hands makes me a loyal customer. I can’t wait to have another party there. The food was beyond delicious – people are still raving about the meal! We had five different selections along with some kid-friendly items. We also had platters set up on each of the tables to start and that was one of the best decisions we could have made (it was a last minute decision). Not a crumb went back to the kitchen on any of the platters. I also love that they had flat screen TVs on the walls. We had the One True Media montage up the entire time with the background music and before I set up the dessert table Danny started it up for our guests. Things could not have gone any smoother. The entire staff was amazing to work with and really took care of our guests. Highly recommend Kasey’s!!!




Balloon Centerpieces | Blossom Heath Gardens
http://www.blossomheathgarden.com
I ran around trying to get balloon centerpieces – you’d think it would be easy but apparently not so much. I had an appt with a balloon place and I guess with the change in daylight savings time things got messed up and I was stood up. I was getting a little stressed but I remembered Diana1215 saying that florists can do balloon centerpieces…so off I went to Blossom Heath Gardens. I had driven by so many times and always thought to myself. “you have to give them a try.” Well, I picked my most stressful time to do that – with one week left until the party I went running in. I understand that for them it’s part of their business but for me it was something more. I was stressed and they just completely put me at ease. Within minutes we had the perfect balloon colors picked out and I had the assurance I needed that everything would be fine. And they came in at the best price! I walked into the restaurant early to find everything already set up including an extra set to attach to Gregory’s highchair. This will be my one and only florist from now on.




Entertainment | Nick the Balloonatic
www.nicktheballoonatic.com
In 2007 I went to a party where Nick entertained the kids and adults with his amazing talent. I knew in that moment that I needed work with him at one of my parties. I even came over here and posted about him. I was so impressed. When planning this party I knew I needed to have Nick – he is the best! And true to his reputation he impressed all of my guests. He was surrounded by kids and adults the entire time. Talented doesn’t even begin to describe Nick. He’s charming, funny and talented beyond compare. Everyone loved him and his work – these balloons are amazing! Highly recommend Nick the Balloonatic for any party – I can’t wait to have him back at another party. LOVE!










Photography | Elizabeth Kristin Photography
www.elizabethkristinphotography.com
Best decision we could have made but that’s to the credit of the photographer herself. I put so much work into this party and with all that had to be done at the restaurant I knew, without a doubt, that I wanted to have Liz there to capture the day. Without her we wouldn’t have all of these beautiful pictures and I would have missed so much. I love my family and friends with all my heart – to me they are perfect in every way – but to see them through someone else’s “eye” makes me love them even more. To see the smiles and sweet moments shared through the pictures Liz took just takes my breath away. Somehow she was everywhere all at once. She captured it all – and it means a lot to see all that I missed while so caught up in playing hostess. With these pictures I feel like I didn’t miss a thing. Above all – we finally have some beautiful family shots. I will admit that I am a little biased because I’ve know Liz for many years now and when it came time to pick a photographer for this event I knew that it had to be her. I had been waiting for an opportunity to work with her. When I think back to the party and all that she was doing and then I look at these pictures I feel like Liz took on this event as if it were her own. She put so much thought and so much care into the images she captured. I love each and every one! Thanks so much Liz!!!














Birthday Cake | Cupcakes Catering
http://www.cupcakescatering.com
When planning the cake to feature at the top of the cupcake stand I knew it had to be something special –something that would catch my guest’s eyes and serve both as a yummy dessert and enhance the décor. I knew I needed Cupcakes Catering. Lauren is beyond talented – I can’t say enough about how the high regard I hold her in. She took my invitation and came up with the most perfect cake – and it was beyond delicious!!!! Vanilla cake with chocolate Bavarian cream – there was not a crumb left when we got our hands on it. This was something special to me – something for my son and I knew it was in the right hands with Lauren. The attention to detail was above and beyond – I highly recommend and cannot say enough good things about this company!!!!







Dessert Table | EdibleDetails
http://www.edibledetails.com/
I found this seller on etsy and she was so amazing to work with. I wanted simple fondant numbers to match the color theme of the party for the cupcakes and she exceeded my expectations. Super easy to work with, great attention to detail (she took swatches of my colors to match up the polka dots perfectly) and quality products. Fast shipping and beautiful work – I highly recommend. She was also featured on the Hostess with the Mostess blog in February – some serious talent!!!!





Dessert Table | Candy
All great to work with – super fast shipping, quality items and great selection! Check online for discount codes!

Oh Nuts!
www.ohnuts.com

Blue Raspberry Licorice Twists
Blueberry Gumballs
Blue Raspberry Rock Candy Crystal Sticks


Candy Warehouse
www.candywarehouse.com

Blue & White Swirl Whirly Pops
Jelly Belly Blue Berry Jelly Beans
Gummy Baby Blue Shark Candy
Metal 5-Ounce Candy Scoops


M&Ms
www.mymms.com

Teal M&M Candy: 5lb Bag


Target – after holiday sales
Blue & Silver Hershey Kisses ($0.72 per bag!)
Limited Edition Vanilla Tootsie Rolls ($1.50 per bag!)



The Dessert Table
This was one of the biggest projects I have taken on but so much fun. A lot of planning went into this because I knew the work would be on my shoulders. The final table was 11ft. long and the desserts took up every inch…but it was also very narrow which is perfect because there is less reaching over the items. I am relieved to say that nothing was broken. Whew!


Tablecloths: Bed, Bath & Beyond
Platters: Homegoods
Apothecary Jars: Michaels, Homegoods & Pottery Barn Outlet
Candy: Rock Candy, Jelly Beans, Gumballs, Hershey Kisses, M&Ms, Whirly Pops, Vanilla Tootsie Rolls, Licorice Twists, Mini Almond Joy Bars, Gummy Baby Sharks.
Baked Goods: homemade (except for cake) – Star Shaped Gingerbread Cookies, Rainbow Cookies, Chocolate Covered Oreos, Cupcakes (Vanilla & Chocolate), Cake Pops (Vanilla & Chocolate), Chocolate Covered Marshmallows and Chocolate Covered Pretzels.
Gable Boxes: The Container Store

Paper Goods: All were made by me (dessert table labels, lollipop tags, small baggie tags, favor box tags, cupcake toppers and a banner but we couldn’t get that up in front of the table because the kids mobbed the table).













Things That Seemed To Work Well / Things I Wish I Had Done (or done better)

Game Table & Color Table
Around Christmas a bunch of games went on sale (Hasbro had a really good sale at TRU) so I loaded up on games like Connect 4, Guess Who, Go Fish, Operation, Memory & Candy Land. I made sure to get 2 -3 of each and it was perfect. No one fought over games and everyone had something to play. I also got XL coloring books from Target and several boxes of washable crayons and markers for the kids. I didn’t have any books to bring back home. The kids had a blast! We set up tables just for these things and the kids all had their own space.






Dessert Table
Having everyone watch the video while we set up was helpful but the kids swarmed the table. It took about 4 people to set it up and it was a huge help that we had packaged a lot of the items so that they were ready to go right onto the table,


Present Table
The intention was to move the place card table over and display the presents on it but the scrapbook was there and our guests went to that spot to view it (rather than pass it along) so we never moved it. I wish I had asked for another table to set up because I felt really bad about those beautifully wrapped presents sitting in the corner.



Last But Not Least….Gregory’s Scrapbook
I am beyond happy that I did this digitally and I have so many people here to thank for that. I was so nervous that it wouldn’t be as good because Lucas’ was handmade but I love the way this came out! Just a few pictures because if you’ve made it this far I have taken too much of your time.



















All pictures of the party are from Elizabeth Kristin Photography

Re: Gregory’s 1st Birthday!!!! Complete Overload of Pictures!

Everything looked great!! What a review! I'll have to remember Nick the Balloonatic for the future.

Happy 1st Birthday Gregory!!

Re: Gregory’s 1st Birthday!!!! Complete Overload of Pictures!

Fabulous job!!! Everything was perfect!

Re: Gregory’s 1st Birthday!!!! Complete Overload of Pictures!

Everything looks amazing! Happy Birthday!

Re: Gregory’s 1st Birthday!!!! Complete Overload of Pictures!

WOW! what an awesome party, so well coordinated!

Re: Gregory’s 1st Birthday!!!! Complete Overload of Pictures!

Unbelievable! You are amazing ... happy first bday cute baby boy!

Re: Gregory’s 1st Birthday!!!! Complete Overload of Pictures!

Woe ...What a FANTASTIC job

And your family is beautiful...loved your pictures and every bit of detail ..You didn't miss a thing !!!!

Re: Gregory’s 1st Birthday!!!! Complete Overload of Pictures!

hi Ang-
I dont post as often, hope you remember me, lol.

everything looks wonderful !!! Happy birthday to your sweet boy !!!

and Lucas got so big !!

You have a beautiful family ! xoxoxo

Re: Gregory’s 1st Birthday!!!! Complete Overload of Pictures!

Beautiful! Looks like it was amazing! Those balloons are pretty awesome!!! HBD to your little man!

Re: Gregory’s 1st Birthday!!!! Complete Overload of Pictures!

wow!!! everything looked amazing!!!!! the dessert table, the entertainment, the decorations!!!! happy birthday little man!!! liz took some great shots!!!! she's amazing!!!!!

Re: Gregory’s 1st Birthday!!!! Complete Overload of Pictures!

GORGEOUS!!!!!!! Now I want to cry

Re: Gregory’s 1st Birthday!!!! Complete Overload of Pictures!

Beautiful!

Re: Gregory’s 1st Birthday!!!! Complete Overload of Pictures!

Everything looks so awesome!!!!

Re: Gregory’s 1st Birthday!!!! Complete Overload of Pictures!

Wow that looked like some party! I loved so many of your ideas, I notebooked this!

Re: Gregory’s 1st Birthday!!!! Complete Overload of Pictures!

Great attention to details and the moments and pictures captured absolutely beautiful.
Great review too. You are very talented and should definitely pursue this creative side that comes to you so effortlessly.
Happy Birthday to your sweet boy !!

Re: Gregory’s 1st Birthday!!!! Complete Overload of Pictures!

wow!!! you are so organized!!! love the thought you put in to every detail! what beautiful mementos you will have for your DS!

Re: Gregory’s 1st Birthday!!!! Complete Overload of Pictures!

looks like a great party. happy birthday Gregory!
i love how you made this like a wedding review

Re: Gregory’s 1st Birthday!!!! Complete Overload of Pictures!

GORGEOUS! GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Gregory’s 1st Birthday!!!! Complete Overload of Pictures!

Wow, looks like a great party!

Re: Gregory’s 1st Birthday!!!! Complete Overload of Pictures!

Everything looks perfect but I don't expect anything less from you

Re: Gregory’s 1st Birthday!!!! Complete Overload of Pictures!

Those are fantastic pics, everything looked great!

Re: Gregory’s 1st Birthday!!!! Complete Overload of Pictures!

Looks like it was such a great party! Everything was perfect

Re: Gregory’s 1st Birthday!!!! Complete Overload of Pictures!

Great job- everything was beautiful!

Re: Gregory’s 1st Birthday!!!! Complete Overload of Pictures!

Aww Ang you got me all teary-eyed reading this on the train this morning. You're an amazing friend who's been there for me so of course I would want to be there for you too I'm just glad everything went well with G and it's all over and done!

And I'm so glad the party came out so PERFECT - every single detail! You are incredibly talented and you can see the love that goes into everything you do for your family.

And those pictures! Liz did an AMAZING job! I love them all but that last one of Gregory is too adorable

Re: Gregory’s 1st Birthday!!!! Complete Overload of Pictures!

Everything looked amazing, the details are incredible!!! Happy bday Gregory!!