Last summer I had the honor of styling my good friend Nicole's son's birthday! Ben, who was turning three, has had a favorite pair of cactus print pants from Zara, and with his birthday being in the summer, we decided on a cactus theme birthday party!  We celebrated at Nicole's home in Wenatchee, WA in their gorgeous yard on an ideal August evening. 

I found the most beautiful cactus watercolor invites from Kirra Reyna Designs that set the tone for the party with their subtle neutral colors, and fun cactus design. 

Chalk Chic Mama did a flawless job recreating the cactus scene from the invitations on our chalkboards for the party!  Guests were welcomed with the most beautiful chalkboard wishing Ben a Happy Birthday, and a fun teepee to put the gifts in. 

Just as the sun was setting, the guests made their way to the tables - it really was the perfect summer evening! 

I used soft gray linens, with tan table runners I had sewn earlier that summer, and layered individual cactus plants down the center of the table. Sticking with the neutral color pallet, I potted the cactus in white beans, and I absolutely love how they turned out! The texture and look of them were so fun!

The kids table was so fun to design! My husband Aaron had just built this sweet, rustic, child-size table and bench set and I couldn't wait to put it to use!

I used simple brown kraft wrapping paper as the placemats for each child and Chalk Chic Mama came in and outlined each spot, and beautifully added each child's name. I used the same design from the adult's table, and layered potted cactus down the center of the table for the centerpiece - but with this being a kid's table - I used unique succulents rather than pokey cactus that could potentially hurt the children.  

Layed down on the kraft paper placemats were darling cactus paper plates and fun neon colored cups from Meri Meri that really added the perfect touch and fun pop of color to the kid's table! 

With Nicole begin home alone for most of the day with their three boys while her husband worked - she knew the food was something that needed to be kept simple! She ordered all of the supplies for a DIY taco bar from a favorite local restaurant, and all we had to do was set it up and place it on the table! 

Delicious steak tacos and chips and salsa was the perfect meal for the summer evening's celebration!

The drink station we also kept simple! Nicole purchased bottled sangria from Costco and all we had to do was add the fruit and ice, and we were set!

I found some Orange San Pellagrino bottles for the kids, and made some fun drink flags for the adults. 

The dessert table was also really fun to design! At the center was a sweet donut wall shaped like a cactus! We used our favorite local bakery Glaze for the cactus colored donuts! Tying in with the neutral color pallet we bought white peg board and then built and painted a frame around it. I love how simple it turned out! The donuts were not only delicious, but such a fun treat!

Arranged on either side of the donut wall were gorgeous flower arrangements created by Full Bloom Flowers and Plants that were filled with seeded eucalyptus, hints of blue thistle, white anenomes, and mini cacti! 

 Displayed below the donut wall were green and cream french macarons which my Mother-in-law Jennifer hand painted various cactus plants on. She is so talented! Check out another party we did where she hand painted Peter Rabbit characters on french macaroons here! 

The gorgeous watercolor cake was done by Cupcake Blues and couldn't have turned out more perfect! We added a little cactus at the top for an additional pop of color, and of course, a fun #3 sparkler candle!

The favor table we kept simple and sweet and used the same soft gray linens with my homemade tan runners. Chalk Chic Mama designed another incredible chalkboard to thank guests for coming and to remind them to take home a treat!

Guests could take home the most darling cactus cookies made by Stefanie from Prep and Bake! I found sweet little berry baskets and decided to tie the favors in with the decorations and used brown pinto beans to help hold up the delicious cookies. 

We also found precious cactus tattoos from Love and Lion that were a huge hit with the kids!

It was such a fun day celebrating Ben's third birthday, and we feel so honored to have been a part of it!! 

A huge and heartfelt thanks to all of the incredible vendors:

 

Comment