Enchanted Backyard Garden Birthday Party

One of the most exciting aspects of throwing an event is when it all ties together in the end. We were asked by my friend Lyndsay to create an intimately enchanting party filled with her favorite foods and drinks to celebrate her 40th birthday. Executing Lynday’s vision of a soiree filled with tasty food, drinks, and an eclectic mix of music was such a delight. Her closest friends (some from her childhood!) gathered for a loving celebration on her special day, making the event incredibly smooth to throw.

Her backyard is a hostess’s dream! The elongated pool was framed with over 50 candles in glass vases, surrounded by a lawn of perfectly manicured grass. Her brick courtyard had a walkway lined with Lavender bushes and a fountain which we filled with enchanting flowers and floating candles. As the afternoon progressed into the evening, the bright purple sky would reflect on the pool’s water, creating an ethereal ambiance.

Curated with a farm-to-table mindset, the party’s menu had a wide range of both proteins and veggies. Appetizers like jalapeño cheddar mascarpone, dungeness crab beignets, and short rib empanadas were passed around on trays for guests to pick from, along with the stationary appetizers displayed in the courtyard. Matching Lyndsay’s olive tree, we placed olive branches throughout the displays and framing the bar.

Everybody’s favorite part of the menu was definitely the dessert options. Her favorite cake from Magnolia Bakery, the Hummingbird Cake, was served on its own and in cups, along with cups of the Banana Bread Pudding. Another fun option was the ice cream sandwich station, filled with Coolhaus cookies and Salt & Straw Ice Cream. Calligraphy Katrina created beautiful chalkboard menus for the event, listing all of the options for the guests.