Breakfast at Tiffany's Retirement Party

Last year I had someone very close to me ask for my assistance in planning her retirement party
for this year. She had worked in the same place since she was 17 years old, has seen a lot of change in her 37 years of federal service and was excited to move onto her next adventure. I couldn't wait to get started! The one thing she knew was that she wanted it to be all her closest girlfriends and for the theme to be, Breakfast at Tiffany's. Other than that, the rest would be up to me! What an honor and joy this was going to be.

The invitation always sets the tone to any party, mixing elegant colors of black, white and silver and of course the pop of Tiffany-blue. The invitation turned out exactly how I had hoped, the planning so far was going great!

Little did I know, the theme was going to throw me for a bit of a curve ball! I normally sit down start sketching and ideas start flowing. This was not the case this time around! Every site I turned to for visual aides or inspiration it was all for bridal showers or baccalaureate parties! Since this party wasn't about two people in love, I knew I needed to represent the theme in a way that was elegant, fun and still capturing the whole purpose of why we were celebrating! I had a whole year to plan, design and execute. There were bits and pieces that were put together throughout the year, but it still wasn't coming together in my mind. Till about 4 weeks before the event, it hit me, ideas were flowing and I finally had my vision board!

Fast forward to the day of the event, my car was packed with all sorts of party supplies, cupcakes and other treats. I was busy all morning setting up and arranging, my vision was turning out to look even better in reality. Everything was going great, until...the background piece for my dessert bar. I did a complete set up, stepped back and hated it! It was awful, there was no way I was welcoming all into a party with that as my focal point. Down it came and within minutes my mind was whirling with the possibilities of what next. This is what I love so much about party styling, endless possibilities and creating a blank space into a beautiful party! Everything started to take shape, and the end result was better than I had imagined!

The dessert bar featured cranberry-orange and pink champagne cupcakes, "Tiffany's" inspired sugar cookies and coconut macaroons.

What Breakfast at Tiffany's theme would be complete without Audrey herself making an appearance. This canvas print of Audrey Hepburn made the perfect backdrop and with the gorgeous balloon garland, this was easily my favorite area of this party.

To keep with the theme, I had Renee & Co. cookies and Tiffany gift boxes. Served on a silver tray, perfection!

Take home boxes are a great way to encourage guests to take a treat for the road! This way the treats become party favors and you are not left with dozens of cupcakes that taunt you for days (does this happen to anyone else? Just me?). 

The drink bar offered citrus water and a signature drink, huckleberry-mint wine spritzer. They were both so delicious! 

Once the drinks were poured, everyone lined up to grab a prop and strike a pose! All the ladies had so much fun with this, and really got into it. I am so glad I included a photo booth for this party. It was a great way to capture everyone who attended and have fun doing it!

No need to supply a ton of props for a photo booth. Keep it simple, for this party simple black glasses and white pearls were all we needed. Place everything on silver trays to create an elegant look.

There was one thing we could all agree on, the food at this party was amazing! Delicious tarts, variety of sandwiches, flatbread pizza, spinach rolls, cream stuffed strawberries and homemade scones with an assortment of deliciously homemade jams. No one left hungry!

I think it is safe to say this party was a success; everyone had a good time, plenty of food and drink and the guest of honor could not have felt more loved and appreciated, than she did that day. Renee', I wish you many happy years of retirement, thank you for trusting in me to bring your party dreams to life! Enjoy your new found freedom and may it be filled with fantastic vacations!

Fitting for your many years of federal service for the US Navy - "Fair Winds and Following Seas"

Photography: Breathtaking Photography
Party Styling & Invitation Design: AK Party Studio
Favor Boxes, Sunglasses & Pearls: Oriental Trading
Cupcakes: CuppyCake Hill
Cookies: becky bakes
Balloon Garland: One Stylish Party
Food: B.A.M. Bad Ass Morsels

Toni