Shabby Chic First Birthday Party
I am so excited to finally be sharing Baby E’s Shabby Chic First Birthday Party with you! Having a little girl has been so much fun and I knew I wanted a very girlie first birthday party for her. She has already made it very clear that she loves pink and frills so I thought it would only be appropriate if that was the theme of her party :)
Our house is not even big enough to hold both of our families, let alone some close friends, so we took over my parents’ house for the big celebration. We invited just our families (which are pretty large in itself) and some close friends to celebrate with us.
I think the invitation always sets the tone for a party. I chose these invites from Shutterfly and used one of Baby E’s 6th month photos that were taken by Keri Meyers Photography. You can view a tutorial for the tutu here.
Girls First Birthday Party Display
The main focal point of the party was this Shabby Chic Sweet Shop. I love decorating with raw materials so I chose a simple canvas drop cloth for the tablecloth and brought in some old crates I purchased at a liquidation sale back in the fall. While I love rustic elements I also wanted a more feminine feel and chose a beautiful pink puckered fabric for the backdrop. I stumbled up the pink material in the upholstery section at Hobby Lobby and it was love at first sight.
The dessert table included old-fashioned glazed doughnuts, powdered doughnuts, homemade Rice Krispies treats, DIY marshmallow pops, homemade cupcakes and a homemade ruffle cake. I topped off the table with yogurt covered pretzels and raisins.
Pink Dessert Table
I constructed the tiered display stands from old pillar candle holders that I painted white added a white plate on top.
This was my first attempt at a ruffle cake and I was really happy with how it turned out (But I definitely learned a lot through the process and would do a few things differently next time). The marshmallow pops were fun to make, after my failed attempt at making cake pops for the party, these little guys were a breeze! I displayed them in the doily vases I made here.
Many of you are already familiar with the Tea-Stained Coffee Filter Wreath I made for the party (tutorial here). It was really special to include elements from my great-grandma into Baby E’s party.
The dining table was decorated with these DIY vases. I used old jars and wrapped them in lace, burlap and ribbon for a rustic-glam look. The roses added just the right touch to Baby E’s very girlie and feminine party.

Each guest (under the age of 15) received one of these party bags filled with goodies. I used my Silhouette Cameo to make the flower cutouts and sealed the bags with a simple piece of jute.
I made Baby E her very own onsie for her big day. Every girl needs a special party outfit don’t you think? I tea-stained a white onsie to give it a vintage look, added some floral embellishments and big ‘1’, just in case anyone forgot how old she was turning!
You could tell she felt very special on her day! (Skirt is from Baby GAP)
So much happens in the first year of a little one’s life. I can’t get over how much a person can change in just 365 days. Each month, I’ve taken a picture of Baby E in the same chair in her nursery. I used the pictures to great a ‘Watch Me Grow’ timeline to display at her party. The guests loved looking at the changes from one month to the next.
I used my Silhouette Cameo to cut out the ‘Watch Me Grow’ letters and the numbers for each month.
And just like the party starts with the invite, it ends with a thank you! I had every intention of making my own cards but I stumbled upon these and couldn’t pass them up!
Thank you to all of our family and friends who made this day so special for Baby E!
I’ll be sharing a few tutorials from the party later this week! If there is anything else you want to know more about feel free to comment or shoot me an email!
Gorgeous!!! You did such a beautiful job and I’m loving every single detail! You already know I adore the tea-stained wreath :) I love all the burlap touches and the doilies with the months on them {along with those ohhh so cute monthly pictures, of course!} are precious.
xo,
Laurie @ Gallamore West
Gorgeous! I am amazed by how great it turned out – you did such a great job. She is soooo beautiful and the pictures are awesome too – thanks so much for sharing. Now I need a baby girl so I can do the same thing haha!
Gorgeous! I love it all. I have a daughter E, too! Girls as so much fun.
It all was absolutely adorable! Good job Mama. It will be a fun birthday for her to look back at pictures. She’ll see how much you cared. My daughters invitation had her in a tutu and pink bead necklace too… So cute!
Cute party Taryn!
What an amazing party. I am so in love with that cake table and the onesie!! Great job!!
So creative!!!!! love all of it!
Excuse me while I pick my jaw off the floor…..oh my word!! This is a stunning party and the details are just unreal. I love everything about it!!! Megan
Oh.my.goodness. This post just made my heart melt! It is seriously beautiful, sentimental – everything a first birthday should be for a sweet little princess! My baby girl Isla turns one this month and I so can’t wait to incorporate your lovely ideas!
Would love if you could share this with my blog readers on our weekly linky party going on now at Teagan’s Travels!
http://teaganstravels.blogspot.com/2012/04/destination-inspiration-linky-party-9.html
Happy Easter, Michelle
sooo prettyyy…I loved all the details…the watch me grow is just amazing…I will keep it in mind for my kids ( when I have ones lol) and that ruffle cake is so cute I pined one similar to it I want to try it for my bday, is it easy to make???
Wow just gorgeous Taryn – Baby E is too beautiful xx Nat
Everything is SO BEAUTIFUL!! Even the food looks beautiful! Baby E is absolutely adorable in her birthday outfit!! I have a party going on right now and would love if you linked this up. :) http://www.thelittlegiggler.com/2012/04/love-it-and-link-it-up-3.html
Congratulations! What a gorgeous party. All the little details are what makes it shine. I love the burlap bunting. So cute. (I like everything else too :-)
Wow! What a lovely party and lovely birthday girl! Every detail is perfect! I adore the doily picture garland! Thanks for sharing at oopsey daisy!
What a lucky little girl. The party bags are simple yet gorgeous!
That is absolutely adorable! I would love for you to share it (and any other creations) at my new linky party “Pin It and Win It Wednesday” @ http://www.cheapcraftymama.com!
Absolutely gorgeous photos! Everything looks so professional! Hope she had a great birthday!
This is the most adorable birthday party! You really didn’t overlook a single detail! Its beautiful!
We’d love if you linked this up to our Beautify It Monday link party going on now – bringingbeauty.blogspot.com/2012/04/beautify-it-monday-2.html
Gorgeous party!! The dessert table and decor is stunning!
This is PERFECT! My baby “e”‘s 1st is coming up and I’ve been pinning LOTS of things. Thanks for this. Pinning right now!
Absolutely adorable. You carried the theme through every detail and I just love it!
Okay this is about the cutest thing I’ve ever seen! I love the doily’s and the invite is so cute! What a lucky little girl!
What a lucky girl! LOVE the shabby chic party!
Shannon
Wow! Every single detail is…well, perfection! Love, love, love it!!! It’s just so girly and sweet! I have to ask, where did you find your “thank you” notes – I need these! :-)
~ Amanda
What a beautiful birthday party!…Beautiful, thoughtful touches everywhere. There’s so much I love, I can’t narrow it down to one, but those burlap and ribbon jars are one of my favorite ideas. Thanks for the inspiration.
Hi there, popping on over to your amazing blog from csi! Wow is the grow banner adorable! I love the step by step on that onesie too! Super sweet party, great job!
Visiting via Addicted 2 Decorating. I absolutely adore your sweet party .
I created several spring projects on my blog this week. Please stop by if you have a moment.
Have a lovely Easter weekend.
How fantastic is this, I love every part of it. A party an girl would love
Absolutely adorable! I love the shabby chic theme. :)
Gorgeous party!!!!! love love!!
What a great idea. I love your attention to details. simple and elegant. some people think Shabby chic is about tons of over-embellished stuff. You really got it right. What a nice memory for her. Especially loved the goody bags.
Oh Its beautiful! I love all the details… the puckered fabric backdrop… the banners… and the wreath!
I also love using drop cloths for tablecloths and backdrops!
Thanks so much for sharing!
What a darling party. SO so cute!
liZ
this is darling. i would love for you to link this post or any other posts you want up to my weekly link party called spread the love. it’s a weekend wrap up party where you can share anything and everything you want! there is also a really awesome vinyl giveaway going on there right now too, so go check it out! http://www.lovenotesbylauryn.blogspot.com/2012/04/spread-love-5-decallove-giveaway.html
have a wonderful weekend!
{love} lauryn @ lovenotesbylauryn.blogspot.com
Absolutely stunning!
Happy Birthday. You have a wonderful blog. I am visiting you via Tuesday Treasures. I look forward to seeing you at My Dream Canvas.
Oh this is so cute! My little Elly is going to be 1 in a few weeks. So thanks for the inspiration for some cute things I should do. I would love for you to share this at my link party
http://thewinthropchronicles.blogspot.com/2012/04/share-it-link-party-6.html
Aw, that’s so cute! I can tell so much time and love went into it and it is just adorable! I would love for you to share this (and any other creations) at my new linky party starting this evening “Pin It and Win It Wednesday” @ http://www.cheapcraftymama.com!
I adore this!! Wow. I’m in love!!
I’m totally featuring this today and I’ve already pinned it. Thanks so much for linking up!!
This HAS to be one of the sweetest, elegant, most perfect little girl’s birthday I’ve ever seen. JOB WELL DONE mama! I’m including this extraordinary party set up in my round up from guest hosting with Ginger at Ginger Snap Crafts!
Oh wow, everything about this party is perfect!! Your little girl is so precious too :)
Love love love the beautiful first birthday party you created for your precious girl! Down to the last detail, everything was perfect. Thanks for sharing!
What a very beautiful birthday for your very beautiful little one! Here is my “I Heart Nap Time” offering: http://likemamalikedaughter.blogspot.com/2012/04/bell-bottom-baby.html
Wow, that is the prettiest party I have ever seen! What a gorgeous post and what a sweet little birthday girl. I’m glad everything was such a success.
My weekly Say G’day Linky Party is on now and I would be so thrilled if you could join in and link up this great post!
Best wishes for a fabulous weekend!
Natasha in Oz
SO BEAUTIFUL, SOFT, AND GIRLY! I love everything. The wreath and the decorated recycled jars are both so pretty too. GREAT JOB, and thanks for linking to COM. xo, jen
This sweet table is so chic! Your daughter is beautiful!!! Happy birthday to her!!!
Oh my! I love everything about this beautiful party!
Incredible Taryn! Beautiful, and a little sophisticated at the same time as being girly. Makes me wish I had a girl!!!
ADORABLE!!!!! Tasteful, precious, beautiful!! Thank you for sharing!!
Can I please ask where you purchased your burlap??
Good grief Taryn! I AM IN LOOOOOOOOVE WITH THIS PARTY!! SO GORGEOUS!!! <3
What a sweet princess! <3 What a wonderful way to celebrate such a wonderful lil life! :)
xoxo
Evey
I know this is an old post but I just had to pop in and tell you that this is one of the sweetest one year old parties I have seen! I love the pastel color palette and how you displayed all the sweet treats! What a lucky (not o mention, beautiful!) little birthday girl!
This is precious! My daughter has her first birthday coming up and we are doing the same type of thing…what did you use for party favors?
Wow!!! So cute!! I like shabby style so much but i never think about it for a 1st bday girl!!! I hope i can use it for my own Baby someday… Thanks a lot for sharing!!! ;)
GASP! What a beautiful chic party. I will be using this soft scheme in my catering decor, thanks for the ideas!
Such precious ideas! The wreath made of coffee filters is genius. I also love the photo garland. Wonderful job!
Rebecca
Amazing! I love it so so so much that it hurts! Where did you get the doilies? I’ve been looking for some :)
Beautiful party for your beautiful girl! I was just wondering where you got those round papers you used for the Watch Me Grow banner?
Would love to know what you put in the goodie bags! I am planning this party for my baby girl Amelia and can’t figure out that to do for the little one…goodie bags or activites.. If you have time will you email me some of your ideas….
I kept it simple! I went to the dollar store and grabbed little boxes of play doh, puzzles and a few other things. :)