Baby’s First Birthday Party Checklist

On London: Dress: Janie and Jack | Headband: Cozette Couture
Venue: Bouchon at The Venetian | Photography: Taylor Made Photography
Sweet treats: Promise Pretzels of Maine | Cake: Peridot Sweets

Ooh La La! You are invited to attend a classy and fabulous No. 1 soiree celebrating London Genevieve’s first birthday! I can’t believe it has been nearly a year since our sweet Baby London graced us with her presence. I can truly say it has been an absolute pleasure and my favorite adventure being her mommy and I was so excited to celebrate her special day.  Planning a first birthday party or any event, can be great fun, yet stressful without careful planning and attention to detail. I personally love event planning so I enjoyed every minute of planning and hosting a french-themed brunch for my baby girl in Las Vegas.

I have included my first birthday party checklist on how to make this event a stress-free and magical day to remember for you and your little ones.

1. THEME
To me, this is the single most important tip for any event. You always want everything to look well put together and to flow nicely.  A theme helps tie all of your ideas together and ensures that everything is aesthetically pleasing to the eyes of your guests.

2. VENUE
We were traveling and I wanted to stay true to my French theme so I chose a French bistro setting for our event. If you are hosting the event at your home then you have to take into consideration the need for table cloths, napkins, cups, plates and silverware (preferably disposables for easy clean up and to minimize messes with the kiddies).

3. DECOR
Choose decor that matches your theme. Think banners, balloons, flower arrangements, and pom-poms in various colors and sizes. One of my favorite things to do is set up a dessert or treat table- This looks beautiful and adds to your decor until it’s time for dessert. Don’t forget the tiered cake stands and platters. Some other things to consider are a personalized monogram, number or letters spelling out your child’s name. I love the idea of getting something custom-made for the event that I can add to London’s room decor after the party ends.

4. MENU
Pick a menu that will cater to your guests of all ages and sizes. I like two versions of the menu- one for the kids and one for the adults. Be sure to take into consideration any food sensitivities or allergies so you have something for everyone to enjoy. For dessert, I love a sweets or candy table with a cake for my guests and then of course, a smash cake for baby. You also need a variety of drinks and always get extra ice.

5. DETAILS
Don’t forget to get your baby a few outfits for the big day! I always suggest something fancy like a dress and matching headband or a tux early on for all of the pictures and then a comfy but cute second playsuit or custom onesie to change into so your baby is comfortable for the festivities. Some other accessories I like are party hats, crowns, and a custom cake-topper.

6. HIRE HELP
I always recommend hiring help so the day can be as stress-free as possible. Having a photographer in attendance is an absolute must for me. I love having professional photos taken so we can remember the magical day forever. I also recommend hiring help to supervise and entertain the kids at craft and activity stations while the adults mingle.

7. EXTRAS
Entertainment is always a hit at birthday parties whether it be a clown, a magician, a face-painter, photo booth or bounce house- the possibilities are endless. A first year photo book is also nice to have at baby’s first birthday party. We made a video everyday of London’s first year that everyone really enjoyed. We had clips of London with all of our friends and family, and caught everything on video from the first time she walked to the first time she had solid food and said “mama.” Most of the room were in tears by the end of it- including me! A goodie bag for your young guests filled with a variety of treats is also a sweet way to end the day.

For London’s Parisian themed birthday, I would like to extend my thanks to Bouchon at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas for hosting the beautiful event. The entire experience was a delight from the opulent setting to the delicious brunch and the scrumptious pastries and macarons for dessert. The decor was a dream and provided the perfect backdrop for our little one’s birthday celebration.

The details on the sweet treats by Promise Pretzels were absolutely beautiful, not to mention delicious. London’s darling drip smash cake was adorned with edible gold leaf and glitter and topped off with our favorite- French macarons!

Taylor Made Photography captured every moment beautifully. We will always treasure these moments with our baby girl and my family that all came out from the west coast to celebrate.

What a blessing this year has been… It has been, without a doubt, the best year of our lives. I am reminded everyday what an amazing gift it is to have a daughter that is my best friend, my side kick and mini-me. I never knew how much love my heart could hold until her sweet little soul entered my life. I thank God everyday for blessing us with London. Her personality brightens up my day, her smile and giggles are contagious and nothing compares to the way she snuggles up to you. London, I will always love you and protect you. I promise to make sure you are always happy and that whatever your little heart desires, becomes a reality. I hope this year brings you health, love and happiness, my sweet love.

Needless to say, the princess was pooped by the end of it. My little darling when you are old enough to read this, I want you to know that your birthday is the BEST day of my life.