Emilia’s Sweet Shop: A Dylan’s Candy Bar Themed First Birthday Party

I had a “What a One-derful World!” themed first birthday party fully planned out for sweet Emi, but when Meredith muttered the words, “What about a candy party?” then texted a photo of what she had in mind, I was sold. Alas, a Dylan’s Candy Bar-themed party sprouted out of my crazy brain – it involved 193,249 texts between Meredith and Monica, both of whom Sasha thinks have a bad influence on me! Ha.

I sent Monica a very rough draft of an invitation design, which she, of course, ran with and instantly delivered a paper mock-up, which looked way better than I could have imagined. From there, vinyl backdrops were designed, custom fabrics and wallpaper was printed, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.

The real MVPs of this party were Monica, for making lots of designs (signs, vinyls, invitations – you name it) and obviously THAT CAKE. It is so amazing! I was so sad that people had to eat it. Even Emi’s egg-free smash cake (love/hate her for that!) was gorgeous and delicious too. And of course, my mom, who baked and iced 60 cupcakes, sewed bunting for Emi’s high chair, made a table runner, and sewed 45 favor bags for people to take candy home in. What would I do without these two?

Overall, the party was so much fun. Emi was uncertain how to deal with all of the attention at first, but she was really feeling the cake smash, which I was most worried about. We definitely were left with lots of candy afterwards, but I bagged it up and gave it to my sister to take to her office! After the sugar high wore off, sweet Emilia slept well that night and woke up in the best mood for her actual birthday yesterday. I want the birthday festivities to live on, but am so ready for a break in party planning! Ha. I sourced all of the items in the party below, except some DIYs, like the ‘Watch Emi Grow’ planter, which was something I had in my mind then went to Home Depot and made it work (with Sasha’s help). Email me if you have any questions! And now, for 100-or-something party pics!

Sources: Vinyl backdrops from Signs.com, designed by Monica of Paper Flour Ink // Invitations created by Monica of Paper Flour Ink // Calligraphy by Nancy of nancyb. creative // Cake by Monica of Paper Flour Ink // Balloon arch by Lili of Lili’s Balloon Decorations // Cookies by Jessie of Miss J’s Bakeshop // Florals by Flower Vibes // Candy containers from  Shindigz // Custom water bottle labels from Amazon // Pink Chivari chairs, blue tablecloth, kids table from Aztec Party Rentals // Custom caricature coloring sheets by Juan on Fiverr.com // Cupcakes by my mom (with toppers from Party City, cupcake liners from Amazon) // Cupcake stands from Amazon // Pink sequined tablecloth on Amazon // Favor bags, bunting, and table runner by my mom // Instax polaroid camera on Amazon // Custom Shutterfly photo book // BabyBjorn highchair on Amazon // Custom stamps from Minted // Candy stand DIYed, but storage unit from IKEA with customized removable wallpaper from Spoonflower // Custom jigsaw puzzle from CreateJigsawPuzzles.com // White frames for signs from Target // White serving platter for cookies from Target // Moonwalk from Sky High Party Rentals // Front door sign printed from VistaPrint.com // My red dress from Nordstrom // Clear kids ghost chairs from Amazon // White kids Eames chairs from Amazon