This year was the first year that I didn’t have a say in Everly’s birthday party. She wanted a “Beyonce” party, and there were no if’s, and’s or but’s about it! She has been obsessed with Beyonce since she saw the 2013 Superbowl Halftime show. She looked back at me, with stars and pure rapture in her eyes, she said, “I want to BE her,” the passion in her voice was unmistakable. Beyonce is frequently on our television, iPad, and in our conversations. When selecting clothes, Everly asks herself “what would Beyonce wear?” As a result, she has a fairly sizeable collection of clothing with sequins, glitter, and rhinestones.
When Everly first said she wanted a Beyonce party, I was a little bit stumped. I wasn’t sure how to do a party that would be appropriate for her age group. I sat with the idea for a few days, Googling Beyonce and learning a little bit more about her. I noticed that she was going to have a cover on the March issue of Vogue, once I saw the spread, the ideas starting flowing! I decided to “recreate” the photo shoot with Everly, and use the Superbowl Halftime Show as inspiration for decorations. There was a lot of glitter!!! I went with a mini-mogul approach, and focused on the ways in which Beyonce has been a positive role model by including motivational quotes.
I designed the invitation to look like an oversized concert ticket. I used a photo of Everly, taken with inspiration from Beyonce’s Mrs. Carter World tour promotional posters. I made beverage labels, toppers, and popcorn boxes; even custom gift bags with a “House of Everly” logo (inspired by the House of Dereon). The swag bags had “Everly 4″ mixed CD’s, with the cover inspired by Beyonce’s 4. There were also Everly 4 pencils, and of course some bling; custom made rings by Little Wren!
When Everly saw the party room, her face lit up, and every late night design, or craft session was immediately worth it!
Menu
Vegetable sceptres
Fruit star kebabs
Birthday cake (orange and vanilla)
Mini cupcakes (raspberry vanilla)
Berry apple crisp push up pops (raspberries and apples)
Candy and caramel popcorn
Louboutin Cookies
Halo cakes (mini angel food cakes with raspberry sauce)
Ring cakepops (blackberry lemon)
Macarons (raspberry, mango, tropical)
Blueberry lemon loaf
Grammy lollipops
Vendors
Party Design: Jessica Bender
Graphic Design: Jessica Bender Photography
Photography: Jessica Bender Photography and Kim Kalyn
Press Printing: Metropol Print Shop
Ribbon and Washi Tape: Michael’s Craft Store
Cupcakes and Ring Cakepops: Serena’s Sweets
Cake: Schur to Please Wedding and Speciality Cakes
Cookies: Marcia Sedola (contact information available upon request)
Macarons: Bon Macaron
Popcorn: Kernel’s Popcorn
Lollipops: Whirly Pops
Pencils: Oneup Designs
Rings: Little Wren
Location: Gordon Head Recreation Centre
Flower stems supplied by: Poppy’s Floral Art
A big thank you to my intern Emma for all of her help with this party- you’re a rockstar!
by Jessica