I think special events in your life should really be celebrated! I mean, REALLY celebrated.
Birthdays, anniversaries, showers, and special days in your church life too.
I have always wanted to do a party with a "Little Pumpkin" theme. And when I scheduled my newborn's baptism in September, I knew that was absolutely the theme I had to go with.
When Chris at Celebrations At Home contacted me about submitting an Autumn themed party to her Vendor Challenge, it was pure kismet that I was already planing this party.
With some wonderful help from the immensely talented and wonderful Paula at Frog Prince Paperie , I absolutely love how this party turned out!
My inspiration for the party was the current ombre trend. I am a little bit obsessed with it right now, actually. So, I figured that the best way to achieve that look was with fall leaves. I bought loose fall leaves at Michael's and then arranged them from red to orange to yellow to green. Then, I used my existing glassware to compliment the look by filling them with assorted fruits, veggies, florals, and candies.
All the china, glassware, and place settings are things that I own. I got those adorable pumpkin dessert plates as a wedding gift 6 years ago and I hate that I only get to use them once a year! I layered the place setting with two different shapes of placemats and I think that gave the setting extra texture and interest.
I adore the printables that Paula customized for me. They are so precious!
For the backdrop, I had a vision of an ombre falling leaf design. I achieved that with some 3M strips (which are a party planner's best friend), some hot glue, and clear craft lacing. It turned out perfectly!
I knew I wanted a really graphic, bold fabric for the table. I found this at Premier Fabrics for all of $8.99 per yard. I layered that on top of orange burlap that I found at Hobby Lobby. FYI--burlap makes me sneeze, but it looks good. You have to suffer for your parties sometimes.
The menu was pulled pork sandwiches with buns, cole slaw, and BBQ beans. What's not to like? We got the BBQ from one of our favorite places, Germantown Commissary.
I used this large metal cross at my oldest's baptism party too, and I liked it so much that it pretty much has a permanent place in my kitchen. It is from Hobby Lobby. I wrapped that chipboard L in raffia and glued a little felt pumpkin to it. The beans and slaw were individually portioned for easier eating, though the beans got a little too hot in the oven and some of my family said it wasn't too easy to get them open! Woops!
I used baskets from around my house to build up the buffet.
See the wraps around the slaw cups? Those are actually cupcake wraps, but did you know that they fit perfectly on those little plastic drink cups?
Regular BBQ sauce for the weenies and hot sauce for my spice-loving family.
For the dessert table, I was inspired by all the gorgeous pie displays that I had been seeing all over Pinterest. Everyone loves pie and so I chose to do 3 types; pumpkin, smores, and for my diabetic guests, sugar-free peanut butter fudge. The sugar free pie had a gorgeous swirled design on the top, until my mother-in-law, trying to be helpful, reorganized my second refrigerator and knocked it on its side. Oh well, it wasn't a disaster!
I got this fabric in the remnant bin! $5 per yard. That little vanity was my grandmother's and I refinished it a few years ago and it makes the perfect display piece for small events.
I found the small grapevine wreaths at Michael's an immediately was struck with the inspiration to make a garland out of them.
I put some of the printable party circles inside a few of the wreaths for extra interest.
The pie stands are simply terra cotta pots and bases that I glued together with Gorilla glue. They took some time to dry, but once they did, they were ROCK solid. I wrapped the seams in raffia to hide the glue. This was maybe a $20 project. I saw this tutorial on Pinterest, but it wasn't backlinked properly, but the Gorilla glue website also has it.
I made another tall one, but I think once they get taller, they get less stable.
The favors were Pumpkin Spice Hershey's kisses packaged in cello bags with raffia ties.
And, just so you know that this was an actual party, here is the man of the hour, my little Lachlan love!
My biggest handsome man and me.
This picture makes me laugh because we can NEVER get a good picture of everyone all together and Greyson looks pissed!
Ah, there's the ombre! It all turned out fabulous!
This is beautiful! I'm usually not a big fan of fall decor but you just turned me into one. I love the pie display stands! You did a great job! Congratulations on your newborn too. Both of your boys are adorable!
So cute! Look at Mr. Greyson! I love this.. The grapevine wreaths...Love those!! Beautiful lady!
Love the ombre leaves - great idea! It's so crazy to see you mentioned locations that are in my neck of the woods - I pass by premier fabrics daily!
What a backdrop...fabulous "falling leaves" indeed! And so many rich colors and textures in this party!
Stunning party! I *love* the leaves backdrop and the various textures used throughout the party. You have a very handsome family.
So beautiful Brittany! Another great job! May the Lord's arms be continually wrapped around Lachlan and your family.
So beautiful Brittany! Another amazing job. May the Lord's arms be continually wrapped around Lachlan and your family.
Brittany, this is so gorgeous! I LOVE the ombre centerpiece and backdrop, can't believe I missed this before. Such amazing creativity!!