Sue's 60th Birthday Celebration
No two events are ever the same. There is not a set structure to just "plug and chug" for planning an event. This past winter, I helped plan a surprise 60th birthday party. After I was given a budget & a guest list, I put myself in Sue's shoes to plan a celebration that she would love. Much like any other event I help to plan, it needs to have unique elements that mean something to the person the event is for.
The Theme:
The party needed to be a mix of family-friendly and fun, but at the same time classy. I had to keep these key words in mind with each decision I made throughout the planning process.
The Venue:
I needed to choose a venue that would be suitable for kids (including kids menus), would not seem suspicious since it would be a surprise party, and had a setting that would fit the theme of the party. This is how I landed on the banquet room at Atria's Restaurant in Aspinwall.
The Colors:
To fit with the theme, I settled on purple and gold. This would keep it fun, but classy.
The Decorations:
Sue loves flowers so I knew I had to incorporate those. She also has a love for signs and personal touches. I decided to have a birthday canvas made that her family and friends could sign (this would also replace the obligation of any guest to bring a gift as noted on the invitation). To decorate the entrance of the room and start the celebration, I included purple and gold balloons.
The Cake:
Sue's favorite dessert is the snowball from Oakmont Bakery. I had this made into a sheet cake for the party. It was a chocolate cake with coconut buttercream filling and covered in shredded coconut.
The celebration ended up being a success and a big surprise for Sue's birthday. Everyone had a great time celebrating together. Simple personalized touches always make a world of difference when planning an event.
The Vendors:
Venue: Atria's Restaurant- Aspinwall
Catering: Atria's Restaurant
Bakery: Oakmont Bakery
Flowers: Sam's Club
Balloons: Party City
Invitations: VistaPrint
Signage: Etsy