In a couple of weeks we’re throwing a surprise birthday bash for a very special lady. I’m keeping it very vague in case she somehow stumbles across the post so I’ll just say the party is in honour of a big birthday.
We’ve reserved a couple of tables in a posh bistro style restaurant so rather than a private area we’ll be amongst the action and atmosphere of other diners. I’m sorting out a few decorations for the occasion and would love your opinion on stylishly setting the scene. As we’ll be in the middle of the restaurant adorning the walls with paraphernalia is out so no embarrassing pics strewn across the walls. Here are my thoughts so far.
Personalised Menus
I’m going to ask the restaurant to confirm the menu and then print off the dinner choices on fancy high quality paper. We hired a private dining room in a fab restaurant in Islington for James’ birthday several years ago. The top of the menu was emblazoned with personalised well wishes for the birthday boy which was a really sweet touch and made the occasion seem very special.
Florals
I’ve got my hands on four low level vases and plan to fill them with spring flowers dotting them about the tables. I figure small vessels will be fairly easy to transport and the arrangements will add a splash of colour. Plus we’ll only be able to get into the restaurant ten minutes or so before the birthday girl arrives so I figure this will be a quick way to make an impact. I’m sure the restaurant wouldn’t be particularly happy if we started dancing on the table but I love the idea of adding a little sign in to the florals too like the image above.
Frames
About five years ago I bought a bulk of the Tolsby double sided Ikea frames and I’ve whipped them out for countless hen parties and birthday celebrations. At just a quid they are great for adding to a table because you can display two pictures as there’s no back frame. I’ll probably fill them with black and white photos or maybe a happy birthday message or maybe even trivia from the year she was born.
Chair Back Sign
I’m undecided about balloons but I do have a soft spot for the metallic number balloons. I’ll always remember my friend carrying a ‘3’ and an ‘0’ through the streets of Peckham last year only to accidentally let go. We watched the zero fly above the rooftops of London. I’m sure she was happier to be celebrating her 3rd birthday though.
So it’ll either be a set of balloons tied to the chair back or maybe a bespoke sign. I still have a pile of mini blackboards from my wedding in the loft which would be perfect for personalising the birthday girl’s seat.
Surprise
I can’t help feeling I’m missing something here. How shall we mark the surprise?! I’m wondering about getting all the guests some form of prop like you’d use in a photo booth for us all to wear when the birthday girl arrives. Friends and family are coming from far and wide to celebrate so it would be great to add another dimension to the surprise. Tips on this aspect would be particularly welcomed!
Cake
Because what’s a party without a cake?! And lots of fancy candles.
Anything glaringly obvious you think I’m missing? How do you decorate for a restaurant-based birthday bash? Any fab tips for helping the surprise go off with a bang?
I’m not sure if this fits with the lovely ideas you’ve planned for your friend (just FYI you can totally throw me a surprise bash Lauren – it sounds fabulous!), but for my friends hen do we got masks of her face made online (check out maskarade) and popped them on before she came down for breakfast one morning. It was very funny and she got quite the surprise! Plus it’s cheap and wouldn’t take up very much room, you could pop one on everyone’s seat?
Have a lovely time & I hope your friend appreciates all your effort! x
This is a fabulous idea Lynsey and would be so funny! X
Can you help me plan Mabel’s birthday please? Thanks in advance x
Of course! Anything for Little Miss O’Shea x
Oooh sounds like so much fun and I am sure the lady in question is going to love you for all of the effort you have put in. I do think some sparklers should be involved whether its in a cocktail or on a cake they always add a certain something for me.
Goody bags are also a firm favourite with me, they don’t need to be expensive either but can contain lots of little bits like party confetti, party poppers for when the lovely lady arrives, some fancy candles that you can light and put on the table, some sweeties and maybe some burden for the birthday girl and hear head the following morning 😉
Also {this could just be me personally} but I would love it if everyone wore party crowns similar to this – http://www.duetletterpress.com/blog/2012/03/if-the-crown-fits/.
Finally I have never really been a big fan of balloons but the ones by bubblegum balloons with their fancy tails are ruddy gorgeous.
Happy planning
Helen xx
*burden is supposed to read nurofen damn autocorrect xx
Oh wow Helen, the crowns are beautiful. Thanks so much for the suggestion x
Oooh Lauren you must do name places! Maybe your fancy frames could be a picture of the VIP with the guest (if there aren’t too many otherwise might be a total hassle!) serving as a placename or perhaps your wedding chalkboards? Or even on the menus calligraphy / stamp / emboss names? I’m so ocd on placenames… people even comment when they come to my house if I haven’t done them (a rare occasion obvs!) Sounds a fun party hope you do a post of “after” with piccies.
Yes to placenames! Adding to the list right now! x
It’s my birthday in a few weeks… Here’s hoping I’m the lucky girl!
Joking aside, all sounds wonderful! Love the idea of the trivia from the year she was born.
Oh love, sorry to let you down but 31 isn’t really a ‘special’ birthday. You are very special though Rebecca so I’ll make sure you have spectacular birthday celebrations x
It’s my 40th next week so I’m having a “great gatsby themed party” this weekend. We are having it on a 1930’s boat that is moored outside a restaurant. We’ve been madly making decorations all week to decorate the boat. Tissue paper Tassel fringed garlands look very easy to make on Pinterest but in reality they are bloody fiddly and take ages!
The Art Deco black screen we made (my handy husband) out of 3 black ikea doors and decorated with gold glitter tape has worked out brilliantly as a photo booth back drop.
I have also been a busy bee painting the tips of white feathers with glitter ( another Pinterest idea)
Your friend is a very lucky lady, what a lovely friend you are
Stacey – this sounds epic! And on a boat too. You’re all going to have a fabulous time. x
Flower balls are an easy and beautiful decoration for your birthday party! You can make traditional flower balls which make great centerpiece for a dinner party or birthday party!