Emma’s 1st birthday was one of the cutest parties we’ve ever helped design! I love it so much. Perfect venue. Perfect theme. Cutest little birthday girl who legitimately loves apples! The party was so awesome it was featured on Kara’s Party Ideas. Check this one out!
Stephanie knew she wanted her daughter Emma to have an apple orchard inspired first birthday because apples are Emma’s favorite food. Not only that, Emma’s parents also like to sing to her “we love you a bushel and a peck” since she is the apple of their eye. Luckily, Emma and her family live just down the road from Redbud Creek Farm in Sheridan, Illinois, which is the perfect venue for an apple-tastic party.
Acorn Hall, a red and green barn on the property, served as the indoor space for the party, where the food was served. Plus, the weather was nice enough to set up activities outdoors, including a photo area and games. Due to Covid safety concerns, the party was limited to close family.
INVITATION:
The invitations consisted of an adorable pocket-fold design with watercolor illustrations and silhouette. It also included loose apple-shaped cardstock so guests could write notes for Emma’s memory book and bring them to the party.
Emma and her big sister, Sophia, wore adorable matching dresses that went perfectly with the theme. Even mom, Stephanie, had an apple on her sweater!
MENU & CAKE:
Fall flavors and apples reigned supereme. There was a soup bar with three hearty soups and mac & cheese, plus an assortment of bread and crackers. Guests drank water, cold apple juice or warm apple cider. A bountiful table of sweets that included a candy apple bar, apple pies, apple cider donuts, apple candies, apple cake pops, apple cake and the cutest apple bushel smash cake served as the desserts.
Many of the guests didn’t even realize the apple bushel smash cake was a cake! The basket effect MK achieve on the bushel was just so convincing! She also made a special anniversary cake that was brought out later in the party to celebrate Emma’s grandparents 44th wedding anniversary with coincided with the birthday party date. This cake was very special and represented the Sheridan Elevator (a local restaurant/bar) that they opened together a year ago. Guests ate slices from this cake, while Emma devoured the apples from her bushel smash cake!
DECORATIONS:
The decor tied everything together perfectly! We topped the tables with fabric runners and beautiful floral arrangements in bark-wrapped vases. Apple-shaped banners hung on tables and windows, including one that featured photos from Emma’s first year. To label the favors and sweets, we used coordinating signs and tags with artwork from the invitations. Plus, chalkboard signs labeled the soups and some of the games. Felt apples and apple leaves were hand-sewn for games and activities. An adorable “ONE” banner with apples and burlap and ribbons was affixed to Emma’s highchair. Balloons, foliage, flowers and paper fans decorated the outdoor photo area.
The entire sweets table was just perfect! It had linen, crates, apples, moss, bushels, baskets, donut stands, cake stands and a tall floral arrangement in the middle. Furthermore, the balloon “apple tree” over the sweets table was a show-stopper.
FALL FUN:
For activities, a photo area served as the perfect backdrop for family photos. In another area, a blanket was laid out and topped with twigs, blocks, games and activities for the youngest guests. Plus, a sensory bottle project, wood slice necklace craft and wooden apple project were the artsy activities for the kids. Furthermore, games included an apple toss into bushel baskets game and a custom-designed apple bean bag toss game.
FAVORS:
An old bookcase was the perfect place to display the party favors. Favors included a special book picked out for each child, an apple cake book for each family, and an apple-themed wooden toy. Plus, the adults also took home some delicious apple hand soap.
In the end, sweet baby Emma and her family had the best time ever at her apple birthday party!”
Vendors:
Planning, Balloons, Flowers, Signage, Invitations: Kio Kreations – Plainfield, Illinois
Photography: Elite Photo – Batavia, Illinois
Venue: Redbud Creek Farm -Sheridan, Illinois
Cakes + Cake Pops: Flour & Flowers by MK – Naperville, Illinois
Child Attire: Sweethoney
Donuts + melting caramel: Graham’s 318 Coffee House – Geneva, Illinois
Apple Pies: Grandma Hall
Apple Cider + Apples: Woody’s Orchard
Donut delivery to venue: Errand Up
Apple Bib: Thea Jankowski