Party Planning + Event Design by Andrea Eppolito. Images by Susie and Will.

Sugar and spice and everything nice! That's what little girls are made of. We could not think of a better way to celebrate a baby girl to be than with a pretty in pink, vintage candy shop themed shower!

My mamma-to-be wanted something incredibly unique that really conveyed the sweetness of this time in her life. Once I discovered that she is an avid candy lover with a nostalgic love for the childhood treats, I knew that we needed to create a candy shop for she and her family. With Dragon Ridge Country Club having been chosen as our location, I began dreaming of the soda shops of the 1950s - the counters with their big bold stripes, candy stores with bowls of individually wrapped sweets, confection shops with pastries in the window. We wanted to create an immersive experience that would transport family and friends to a simpler time, with lots of entertainment, photo opportunities, and a few surprises!

An event begins the moment you become aware of it.  It was so important that guests knew that this was not your ordinary baby shower! The baby girl’s grandmother was hosting the event and she really wanted a statement making piece.   She envisioned a piñata inspired piece that tied into the candy shop theme.  Lehr and Black created a tall pink and white striped box that opened from the front.  The sides had quotes from songs and poems about baby girls and sweets.  Inside, a cotton candy piñata hung from the top, and as guests broke it pink, white, and silver gum balls spilled out along with a “candy heart” invitation.  It was spectacular!

Upon arrival, guests entered through double doors, topped with a striped awning and a neon sign that read “Sugar and Spice".  The foyer was topped with a vibrant fuchsia carpet.  To the left, we created an L-shaped display of cotton candy pops on a bright pink mirrored wall. To the right, we had gem wall that allowed guest to select from candy necklaces and bracelets, ring pops, and edible jewels.  

The pillars of the room were wrapped in a candy print and large faux pieces of candy trailed up the sides.  Floating shelves held even more bowls of candy, allowing everyone to fill their bags and leave with tons of sweet treats filled by out gorgeous Candy Girls.  The dance floor was covered with a cotton candy wrap while the ceiling feature drapes in various shades of pink. In the center, we set a beautiful flowering cherry blossom tree, surrounded by roses and luxe loveseats and cushy chairs allowing guests to gather and relax.

Guests tables were set around the room dressed in alternating linens.  I wanted to create something visually interesting with different shades and textures so that guests could have a different experience if they wandered from one place to the next to catch up with others.  Each place setting had a rose gold trimmed charger, a pale pink napkin, and either a champagne cloche filled with cotton candy or an ice cream cone filled with treats.  And because no celebration is complete without flowers, we really explored all of the shades of pink.  We alternated between tall and lower table arrangements filled with roses, hydrangea, and orchids.  

As family and friends moved into the ballroom they were greeted by a barber-shop quartet singing candy themed songs. They were set in front of white panels accented with flowers.  Food and candy stations were set around the perimeter of the room.  Over the top milkshakes by Milkshake Wasted, a make your own pop tart station, and a custom gummy bear station.  At the back of the room, we created floor to ceiling, built-ins, wrapped in pink and white stripes that featured lit shelving filled to the brim with candy. We included custom cookies and macaroons in a variety of flavors.  Stations with some of the mom’s favorite foods was provided, featuring childhood favorites “all grown up” such as a French Fry bar with various flavors, spices, and dips along with a gourmet slider station, salads in martini cups, and charcuterie.  For mocktails and cocktails, we created a candy dot bar topped with florals as well.

And because we all know that it didn’t happen unless you take a selfie, we created multiple photo opportunities throughout the space so that guests could take their photos with our pregnant mamma.  One showcased layered candy hearts, while another featured a rainbow, and another allowed guests to perch on an old school swing.  While these activations are so much fun, we really wanted guests to be engaged and delighted.  In addition to our quartet, guests were also treated to performances by ribbon, girls, acrobats, and ballerinas. Just as our singers were wrapping up, we did hear a voice begin to call for our mama to be. Suddenly, Cake Boss Buddy V emerged from the kitchen carrying a small cutting cake, while the white panels behind the band were pulled back to reveal not one, not two, but three spinning cakes!  Created in white shimmering fondant and accented with pink and silver trim, these cakes also showed hanging cotton candy and a base of gum balls.  

The beautiful baby girl has since arrived and is just as sweet and lovely as the party she inspired.  Please leave your well wishes to mamma and baby below! And for more sugary sweet details, take a moment to watch out behind-the-scenes video below!

xo always - Andrea

Details, details, details….

CREDITS:

Party Planning + Event Design by Andre Eppolito. Photos by Susie & Will. Video by M Place Pro. Production and Floral by DBD Las Vegas. Hosted at Dragon Ridge Country Club. Invitations by Lehr & Black.