Waaaay back when I first started my blog I posted a link to a short animated film called "Moongirl." A friend had bought the movie for my daughter and after watching it, I was smitten. I thought it would make a unique theme for a wedding and had loads of ideas for a truly dark and romantic soiree.
The film is full of amazing iconic images: night fishing on the bayou, lightning bugs in a mason jar, a paper lantern-like moon, fantastic merry-go-round...with colors ranging from blues and purples to silver and gold with hints of other-worldly green. I imagined a candle lit evening affair...sort of a Parisian steam-punk meets dark carnival...very dreamy & surreal...
So when my daughter requested a "Moongirl-themed" party to celebrate her 4th birthday, I was thrilled to actually get to plan a party around this little film, but my dark vision wasn't going to work for a Sunday afternoon birthday party. My little princess said it had to be pink.
After great debate about how to interpret this movie for the pink birthday party, I decided to go for an old-fashioned country carnival "under the stars" ...in sherbert-y colors sure to please my pink-loving princess. The inspiration board below became my palette and everything else was inspired by the movie and the idea of a night out at the fair or carnival. Carousel photo above by Alice B. Gardens.
COLORS: pink, yellow, sea green, bright orange, aqua with hints of metallic.
Merry Go Round inspiration board via Snipped & Ink
DECOR: vintage fabric flag bunting, mason jars, balloons and poms
Vintage Fabric Scalloped Bunting by SweetJessie
Flag Bunting by Libby's Lil Somethings
Vintage Mason Jars by South Rose Window
Paper Straws by CDK Designs
Tissue Poms by Prost To The Host
Photo via Tanja Lippert Photography
FOOD: fair food (ie: corn dogs, roasted corn, kettle corn, watermelon, sweets, lemonade)
Sweets Table by Amy Atlas
Popcorn via The Brides Guide
Lemonade Coolers via Paper Olive
Mason Jar Lemonade via the now defunct "Far Flung Fiance"
Grilled Corn via The Food Network
GAMES: balloon darts, can toss, rubber ducky pool, clothespin drop
Balloons via Flickr
Duckies via Flickr
Balloons via Flickr
Bottle Toss via Happy Times Party Rentals, Vintage Tickets from Sweet Findings
Pin Drop via Bonne Nouvelle
That's it for now. I'll be sure to update with photos from the actual party! You can be sure it will be very green and done on a budget. I have already sewn umpteen yards of flag bunting made from vintage ribbon and pillowcases and am ready to start working on games. The menu is shaping up, but still needs some tweaking. It's going to be so cute!
XOXO, Cindi