Parties by Krista of Hoopla Events are a regular feature here, so it should come as no surprise that when Krista asked Maureen to design a girl train birthday party invitation and coordinating décor, she happily obliged.  I (Jen from Banner Events) had the privilege of helping Krista plan and style this special party for her daughter, Kamryn, and it was an absolute delight.  Krista tackled a traditionally boy theme, beautifully transforming it into something girlie and glam!  Just wait until you see the perfectly pink invitations, glittery decorations and unbelievable cake and cupcakes, complete with train accents and adorable details.  Hop aboard as we share sweet images beautifully captured by Lauren Oliver Photography.

Some favorite details to look for:
– Engineer hats and bandanas used as both décor & favors
– A Platform 3 “Sweets Station” dessert table
– A gorgeous cake with 3-D fondant train details
– Boxcar lunches in the dining car
– Custom outfit for the birthday girl, including an appliqued train shirt & chunky necklace
– Paper suitcases filled with custom treats like cotton candy & train inspired candy kabobs

Other fabulous girl themed birthday parties:
– Grayce’s 9th Gymnastics Birthday Party – Tumble and Twirl with the Birthday Girl
– A Gorgeous “Jewel of the Nile” Egyptian Spa Party
– Glam Camping Birthday Party
– An American Girl Party in Shades of Pink
– Ombre Princess Party

Krista shared that the inspiration for this girl train themed party came directly from the birthday girl herself.  After her daughter, Kamryn,  attended a Thomas the Train Party for her little buddy last year she has wanted a train party for her 3rd birthday.  Krista agreed to make her daughter’s train party dreams come true, but wanted to put a girly spin on the train theme by incorporating shades of pink mixed with white, gray and silver.  Everything from the décor to the custom outfit her daughter wore, has that cute girly look.  We just love that custom train shirt from GreatStitch and matching necklace from W(e)il’d Hair & Accessories.

 A darling “dining car” eating area was established for guests to enjoy as they ate and chatted.  The tabletop was dressed up in adorable striped party paper from  Smashcake & Co.  Place settings included layered silver and pink plates  paired with silver napkins, utensils and cups from Oriental Trading.  Krista used plastic square French milk bottles from her shop which she embellished with printable beverage wraps from the Anders Ruff collection, striped straws and sweet custom straw flags.  Atop each place setting sat a perfectly packaged “box car” lunch.  Gable boxes were decked out in satin ribbon, pink and white polka dotted party paper ribbon (SmashCake & Co.) and the cutest coordinating train label.  Not only did this add some festiveness, but it made serving lunch to a large crowd of young children much more manageable.

Each dining table was accented with centerpieces constructed from Blumeboxes (Blumebox), paper shred, party paper ribbon (Smashcake & Co.) and printable centerpiece designs affixed to wooden skewers.  In addition, smaller cube shaped Blumeboxes housed sweet custom lollipops from Lollipics.  I just love the guest of honor’s photos on them!  These were propped up on pink glittered frames for height. Trains from Oriental Trading Co. were spray painted pink and silver to match with the décor.  Each chair was adorned with an engineer hat from PartyCheap.com and a gray bandana. (The hats and bandanas also functioned as take home party favors!)

In addition to their “box car” lunches, which had sub sandwiches and other munchies, guests were invited to dine on salads and fruit displayed in cute striped treat cups (Hoopla Events Shop), veggies in fry containers (Oriental Trading) and rehydrate with “chugga chugga” water.  I just love the cute custom Anders Ruff printable water bottle labels which transformed ordinary water bottles into a fun theme coordinating beverage!  The food tables were outfitted with clever train track inspired garland from Tutus & Bowties Events.  I love how Krista incorporated beautiful framed photos of her daughter in her décor.

A gorgeous sweets station was also set up for little engineers to enjoy. Nothing gets little engines going quite like some yummy treats. Krista created a striking backdrop using this Banner Events ‘ PVC dessert table backdrop tutorial. A 6 ft. wide custom sign was designed by Anders Ruff  and printed by Print My Picture Online. Doesn’t it make an impressive background for the dessert table? A gorgeous pink ruffle table cloth by Cupcake With Character added that feminine flair and was made even more glam with the tissue tassel garland from Fancy & Fold. A printable “All Aboard” banner welcomed guests to feast! Inspired by a railroad crossing sign in a party by Wants and Wishes Design, Krista commissioned Ten23 Designs to create a custom laser cut wood “Kamryn Crossing” railroad sign to accent the dessert table. It made such a wonderful addition to the table, effectively tying it into the party theme.

 

Apothecary jars were filled with shimmer gumballs (Oriental Trading) and made for a lovely display.  Platters were lined with mini silver popcorn boxes housing popcorn–the guest of honor’s pick!  Each was adorned with custom party logos.  A pretty serving dish showcased stunning & delectable cookies by The Sugar Canvas Boutique Bakery, made even more lovely displayed on a bed of Sixlets. The detail work is absolutely amazing! And what would a train party dessert table be without a train themed cake and cupcakes?  Cakeitecture Bakery baked up a simple white fondant cake accented with black fondant train tracks.  Added to this were phenomenal fondant train cars made by Edible Details to coordinate with the party décor.

 

Krista knows to keep the party “on track” and little engineers focused, a number of fun party activities had to be planned. Anders Ruff was happy to design coordinating placemat style activity sheets, crayon wraps and puzzles. These tabletop activities were set up at an activity station, embellished with sparkly confetti-style trains by Tutus & Bowties Events.  A separate photo booth was set up in front of an oversized train backdrop, designed by Anders Ruff Custom Designs and printed by Print My Picture Online.  Guests loved using the creative photo booth props that Little Retreats made to coordinate with the theme.  Following all of the fun, party goers got to let off some steam in the bounce house and board a real trackless train and enjoy the ride!

Before departing for home, guests were invited to visit the “Baggage Claim” area to collect their party favors. O’Byrne Station (a repurposed lemonade stand) was filled with fun treats and favors for guests to choose from. Some highlights included train whistles, custom packaged cotton candy by Soiree Event Design, deliciously sweet candy “bobs” designed by Sweets From Heaven, Outlets At Orange and more candy and popcorn.  Darling “Thank choo” tags (Anders Ruff) were added to favor boxes for guests to fill with their goodies.

Kamryn loved celebrating her 3rd birthday with sweet friends and family, making this girl train birthday party a big success!

CREDITS:

– Concept & Styling:  Hoopla Events
– Styling Assistance: Banner Events
– French Milk Bottles, Striped Paper Straws, Pink/White Striped Plates: Lauren Oliver Photography
– Printable Invitations & Décor:  Anders Ruff Custom Designs
– Printing of Large Format Backdrop Items:  Print My Picture Online
– Custom Laser Cut Wood “Kamryn” Railroad Crossing Sign: Ten23 Designs
– Wind-up Trains, Train Whistles, Napkins, Paper Plates, Cups, Candy, Cutlery, Popcorn Boxes, Treat Boxes, Fry Containers: Oriental Trading
– Blumeboxes:  Blumebox
– Ruffled Tablecloth:  Cupcake With Character
– Photo Booth Props: Little Retreats
– Chunky Bubblegum Necklace:  W(e)il’d Hair & Accessories
– Custom Train Shirt:  GreatStitch
– Custom Train Track Garland & Shimmer Trains:  Tutus & Bowties Events
– Tissue Paper Tassel Garlands:  Fancy & Fold
– Personalized Clipboard:  Sweet Madys
– Pink Enginer Hats:  PartyCheap.com
– Pink and White Striped Paper, Pink Polka Dot Paper Ribbon:  Smashcake & Co
– Custom Lollipops:  Lollipics
– Custom 3-D Train Topper & Train & “3” Cupcake Toppers:  Edible Details
– White fondant cake with train tracks:  Cakeitecture Bakery
– Pink & White Personalized Cotton Candy:  Soiree Event Design
– Train Themed Candy Kabobs:  Sweets From Heaven, Outlets At Orange
– Custom Sugar Cookies:  The Sugar Canvas Boutique Bakery

SOURCES for products to help you create your own Girl Train Birthday Party:

– Dozen Train Whistles
– Childs Cotton Train Conductor Hats (1 dz)       
– Pink Engineer Hats – Girls Train Conductor Hats pack of 12 
– Paisley One Dozen Cowboy Bandanas
– WIND UP TRAINS (1 DOZEN) – BULK (Spray paint to match party)
– 10″ Pink Milk Glass Cake Stand
– Silver Small Popcorn Shaped Favor Box 5ct
– Crossbuck Train Railroad Aluminum Sign
– Pavlov’z Toyz Talking Railroad Crossing Sign
– kidSTYLE Gingham Mini Suitcases, Pink/White, Set of 2 
– RM Locomotive Train Engine Metal Cookie Cutter for Baking
– Evriholder Train Bytes Sandwich Crust Cutters, 2-Pack, Blue and Green
– Pink Polka dot Balloons 20 count
– Dinner Plates 9″ 24/Pkg-Shimmering Silver
– 14 Count Paper Cups, 9-Ounce, Silver
– 4-1/2-Inch Train Sucker Chocolate Mold
– 160 Pieces Reflections Heavyweight Plastic Silverware – Forks, Spoons, Knives
– Martha Stewart 32151 2-Ounce Acrylic Glitter Paint, Bubble Gum
– WHITE TREAT BOXES (1 DOZEN) – BULK
– 1/2 LB Crinkle Cut Paper Shred – Slate Gray