real parties

Floral Garland + Welcome Banner DIY

Here is the DIY from the floral garland and banner we made for my housewarming party. It was really fun project to make and has such a big impact for guests walking up to your door. Sometimes in the past I’ve made my own garland (instead of ordering it pre-made) but I’ve learned that most of the time there isn’t that much savings to have someone else do it. It depends what kinds of access you have to a a flower mart. This whole project cost a little over $100 and took about an hour. The sign is fun because we wired it so it can be wavy and scroll-like which gives it a cool look.

Keep reading for full instructions and more photos.

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Grown Up Tea Party

We threw a baby shower for our friends Alexis and Paul last week. We decided to have it at Craftsman and Wolves, an amazing new restaurant near our studio. The chef William Werner is an artist and makes amazing food. Their presentation is perfect so I knew it would be a great place to hold a party. We decided to make it like a grown-up sophisticated tea party for all of their friends. Craftsman and Wolves set up these beautiful wooden three-tier party trays with the most beautiful sweet and savory treats. I made a big garland with eucalyptus from the flower market for the table but other than that we just had to show up. Sometimes it is nice to throw a party where all you do is get dressed and show up.

All photos by Paul Ferney for Oh Happy Day

Rooftop Dinner Party

Our friends Matt and Ashley have an amazing roof right in the middle of the city and they hosted us for a little rooftop dinner party the other evening. Our friend Andrea Pimental did the food and it was incredible. We spent the whole night telling her to quit her day job and become a caterer. She made an apple goat cheese tart with thyme and honey, served with greens. And then for the main course a homemade pumpkin ravioli with hazelnuts and chorizo. And for dessert she made poached pears with salted caramel sauce and homemade vanilla bean gelato. It was so good. To decorate we put some simple greens like olive branches in vases and we made these easy kraft paper table runners. It was such a fun night and you can’t beat the view of the sunset over the city. The weather is just starting to turn a bit crisp so it felt like the last hurrah for this years’ outdoor parties. See all the photos right here. (And here are some of our other pop up dinner parties.)

Click through for more rooftop dinner party photos.

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Animals Ready to Party

For Roman’s birthday party last week I added some little party hats to some off his toy animals. It was a little easy detail (it took 15 minutes.) But Roman looooved it. We put them on parade and then sang happy birthday to him. It turns out when you put miniature party hats on animals it makes them 1000x cuter.

ps: The animals are made by Schleich. They are my favorite, and have a nice little collection going. Also: Here is the mini cakes DIY and here is the polka dot art DIY and here is what we do with the animals at Christmas.

photos by Paul Ferney for Oh Happy Day

An Anniversary Party

Did you know I hated my wedding day? I loved that I got to marry Paul but other than that it was an awful emotional unorganized day! I used to feel bad about it until I would mention that to people and many would say they felt the same way! Ha! For that reason this anniversary party appealed to me so much. Three years after their simple wedding (that they liked!) Drew and Lynette Danburry had a beautiful dinner party at a friend’s home to celebrate their anniversary. They have lots of talented friends who contributed the flowers and the cake (that cake!). Even the linens and dishes were borrowed. It’s all the party none of the pressure! The amazing Leo Patrone took these photos and I’m so happy to share them here. Vendor credits are listed below. Would you ever have a fancy anniversary party? Paul and I are coming up on 7 years and I’d love to have a do over!

Photography: Leo Patrone / Cake: Pink Peach Cakes / Flowers: Honey of a Thousand Flowers / Dress: Lynette Danbury / Event Design: Audrey Moore / Location, Linens and China: The Villa, Cedar Hills, Utah