Zebra and Pink Sweet 16 Party

Last weekend, we threw a Sweet 16 Birthday party for our daughter, Sabrina. It was held at the Emerson Courtyard, a lovely multi building facility with the most spectacular gardens. I have been given the opportunity to build a website for this new venture and was allowed to use the facility so that I when I write for their website, I will first hand experience there. It was a wonderful experience!



This was the food table. It was eventually covered in fruit and kids style food: hot wings, chicken nuggets, mini tacos, bagel pizzas, chips… well, you get the idea. I used a 4 x 15 foot canvas drop cloth for the bottom table cloth. It covered 2 six foot tables with extra drape on either end. Then I took 4 yards of zebra print fabric and cut it in half (down the center fold) for the table runner. For the pink runner, I used 4 yards of pink broad cloth and cut it down the center fold of the fabric and then down the center again. I actually just ripped it because this was done on site. {I’m fearless like that.}



We set the table under the chestnut tree in the courtyard and decorated the tree with tissue paper flowers. I had never made them before; so I watched a You Tube video to learn how. {Oh, technology, how I love you!} Watch the video HERE. I used coordinating ribbon to tie the flowers instead of string. I also hung one of my revamped chandeliers in the tree. I just added solar lights. I placed a few of the paper flowers on the table in between candles tied with zebra print ribbon. I use these tall white candles for most parties by just changing out the ribbon, you can have a fast and easy, functional decoration.

Not bad for 2 Costco plastic picnic tables, draped in drop cloths, eh? The gardens here are stunning. I will have to do a post dedicated to them. It was an honor to be able to use this facility.

 

Here is a close up of the paper flowers and chandelier. Yes, I even found zebra print tissue paper.

 

This was the crowd at dinner. It was still light out at 7 but eventually the party moved indoors to a large room in on the lower level of the main house. We decorated it with paper streamers, more paper flowers and a disco ball. There was incredibly loud music and pink and black balloons spread all over the floor. I regret not taking the time to take photos of it but I ran out of time.

Right before we called the kids for cake, I snapped a few after dark photos of the courtyard table. For the table I used the half the pink fabric and folded the zebra print fabric in half to be the top table runner. I plan to use the fabric again for pillows or a throw blanket for Sabrina. It will be a good keepsake. We had fun shopping for it and it worked out so well for the party.

 

LED Christmas lights strung from the tree gave us light and ambiance.

 

We really ran with the zebra theme, as you can tell by the cake and Sabrina’s dress. She had a great time. I think her friends did too. It was a magical night, definitely one she and her friends will remember.

I had so much fun planning and decorating it with Joe, Grandma Cindy and Grandpa Denny, who did tons of running and climbing ladders and cooking. It would not have been so special with out all of their help and attention to detail.