A baby in a pastel tutu and pink Minnie ears sits barefoot in front of a peach-colored smash cake with Mickey silhouettes. Surrounded by pastel balloons and a light gold “one” balloon, she raises one hand mid-smash, celebrating her first birthday.

🎀 What I’d Do Again (and What I’d Skip) from My Daughter’s First Birthday Party

May 22, 2025

Riley Jean’s first birthday was everything I dreamed it would be: magical, pastel, over-the-top, and so full of Disney-inspired joy. The theme? Happiest Birthday on Earth — a soft, classic take on Disney magic filled with balloons, sparkle, and a whole lotta love.

A young family stands smiling on their front porch in front of a pastel Disney-themed balloon arch, celebrating their daughter’s first birthday. The baby girl, wearing a soft pink dress and white mouse ears, is held lovingly by her father while the mother reaches toward her with a joyful expression. Surrounding them are pastel balloon clusters in pink, purple, blue, green, and peach tones. Signs referencing Disney landmarks like “Sleeping Beauty Castle” and “It’s a Small World” add to the immersive theme, along with Mickey and Minnie Mouse cutouts. The display includes a “Welcome to the Happiest Birthday on Earth” sign and Minnie ear headband favors organized on a rack.

We invited 100 people (yes, I invited everyone and their brother) and had about 80 show up. My goal was simple: make it feel immersive — like you walked into a pastel Disney dream. And while so much went right, a few things definitely didn’t. So here it is:

My top 5 things I’d absolutely do again — and the 5 I’d do very differently.

✅ What I’d 100% Do Again

1. Go All Out on Decor

Did it take me 3 days to set up? Yep.
Was I completely exhausted by the end? Also yes.
Was it worth it? Absolutely.
From the balloon garlands to the pastel signage and every tiny touch, the decor truly brought my vision to life. I wouldn’t change a thing.

A pastel two-tiered birthday cake decorated with piped icing, black Mickey Mouse silhouettes, and colorful candy flowers. The cake topper features a pastel castle with Mickey ears and the name “Riley” along with the number “1.” The cake is displayed on a pink stand on a kitchen counter. Surrounding it are coordinating pastel treats including chocolate-covered Oreos, cake pops, and push-pop cotton candy. A pink and yellow Mickey-themed Ferris wheel display adds to the Disney-inspired party decor.

2. Say Yes to the Bounce House

It was dramatic. It was giant. It was perfect. The bounce house gave the kids a fun space to play and made the whole setup feel elevated. I’ve already reused it and will for years.

✅ This is the exact bounce house I bought

A large white inflatable bounce house shaped like a castle sits in a backyard on a sunny day. The bounce house is filled with clear beach balls and pastel balloons. In front, a chalkboard sign displays bounce house rules, placed next to a blue-and-white striped picnic blanket. The blanket holds a small trash can, wet wipes, and a basket of socks for kids to use before entering. The scene is festive, clean, and perfectly set up for a child’s outdoor birthday party.

3. Create a Cocktail Bar for the Adults

Even though it was a toddler party, I wanted the adults to enjoy themselves too. I set up a champagne tower, drink fountain, and full cocktail bar — and honestly, I wish I had done it sooner in the party-planning process. It gave the adults a fun corner of their own.

✅ Champagne Tower
➡️ FYI: It’s marked “frequently returned” on Amazon — likely because people don’t use the right glasses. The tower itself is sturdy and adds a show-stopping aesthetic to any tablescape. Just make sure to match the glass size!
✅ Drink Fountain

A pastel-themed party setup featuring a large charcuterie board with a variety of meats, cheeses, crackers, nuts, and dips. Champagne glasses are stacked in a tower beside a bottle of rosé and an ice bucket filled with more bottles. In the background, pastel balloons and a colorful fan garland hang against soft draped fabric. A humorous banner made of baby face cutouts wearing party hats adds a playful touch to the elegant setup.

4. Give the Kids Something Creative to Do

I set up a blank cardboard castle with markers so the kids could color and write messages to Riley. It was adorable, interactive, and gave them a quiet moment to be creative.

✅ Colorable Cardboard Castle

5. Lean Into the Details That Elevate the Look

Sometimes it's the little things that take it over the top:

A floral ice mold added a luxe touch to the drink table
My balloon pump saved HOURS of time
Thoughtful table setups made even the smallest corners feel intentional

✅ **Balloon Pump (Lifesaver!)
✅ Floral Ice Mold

A close-up of a party drink and snack setup featuring a bottle of rosé wine chilled in a floral ice mold surrounded by pastel-colored flowers. The wine is displayed in a silver ice bucket on a black table with a soft pink fabric runner. To the right, a champagne tower with pink-rimmed glasses is filled with sparkling rosé. The edge of a charcuterie board is visible, with various cheeses, crackers, and meats. The background includes pastel blue, pink, and green drapes.

❌ What I’d Do Differently Next Time

1. Don’t Put a Food Table in the Sun

I thought it was cute to set the kids’ food table outside — until the candy melted and the sandwiches turned questionable. It was way too hot. We ended up tossing a lot of it. Next time: shade or bring it indoors.

Pastel-themed birthday dessert table featuring a two-tiered cake with pink frosting, Mickey Mouse silhouette decorations, and a custom pastel castle cake topper reading “1 Riley.” Surrounding the cake are assorted colorful desserts, including decorated cookies, chocolate-covered Oreos, and push-pop cotton candy. A pink Ferris wheel-style dessert stand with Mickey Mouse decor adds a whimsical touch. The setup is displayed in a kitchen with granite countertops and dark cabinets, styled for a magical Disney-inspired first birthday party.

2. Send Clear Pickup Instructions

I asked my amazing mom to pick up the food from Publix, assuming it would all be under my name and handed to her easily. Nope. She came back with half the order, then had to turn around and go back — all without complaining.

Let me take a second here and say:
My mom is the backbone of every event I pull off.
She’s always the first to say yes, the first to jump in, and the one who’ll run all over town just so I don’t have to. Our song is Just to See You Smile by Tim McGraw, and she lives up to every lyric. If you have a “mom like mine,” you know exactly what I mean.

Next time: I’ll make a detailed pickup list so she doesn’t have to guess.

A pastel-themed dessert bar set up on a granite kitchen island for a first birthday party. The centerpiece is a two-tiered pink cake with Mickey Mouse silhouettes, pastel candy flowers, and a custom “1 Riley” castle topper. Surrounding the cake are a variety of colorful desserts, including cupcakes, cookies, chocolate-dipped treats, fruit tarts, and push-pop cotton candy. Pink cake stands and trays are used to display the sweets, with a Mickey-themed Ferris wheel holding additional treats in the background. The kitchen is warm and inviting, with dark cabinets and soft party lighting.

3. Assign Help with More Structure

Sticky notes seemed like a good idea for delegating setup tasks… until the wind got involved. They were lost, scattered, and unhelpful. Next time? Each helper gets a clear, printed list.

4. Champagne Tower: Know Your Glasses

I didn’t realize the glasses I originally ordered didn’t work with the tower. The night before the party, I had to rush-order a whole new set. The tower itself is gorgeous — but be sure to match the glass size and structure before party day.

✅ **Champagne Tower (Again — it’s worth repeating!)

5. Avoid Overcomplicating Guest Gadgets

I bought a fancy polaroid printer that turns iPhone pics into mini prints… but it required guests to download an app. No one did. The printer and film were barely touched. Next time? I’m going old school with a regular instant camera.

💭 Final Thoughts

Planning a first birthday is an emotional milestone — not just for your baby, but for you. I cried on party day. Cupcakes got dropped. Food was missing. Anxiety peeked in. But I took a deep breath, shook it off, and soaked in the joy of what we’d created.

It was beautiful. It was chaotic. It was unforgettable.
And I’d do it all again.

A pastel balloon garland in shades of pink, purple, blue, mint, and peach decorates the corner of a porch for a Disney-themed birthday party. A welcome sign on an easel reads “Welcome to the Happiest Birthday on Earth!” with a Mickey Mouse head silhouette and castle graphic. A metallic pink Mickey balloon is attached to the garland, and the setup is styled in front of a stone wall with soft, whimsical colors.

✨ Let Me Help You Plan Yours

Need help organizing your next celebration?
I offer custom party planning checklists tailored to your budget, timeline, and theme — so you can stress less and enjoy more.

💌 Email me at ellisonedit@gmail.com to get started.

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