
Darling PINK Nutcracker Suite Ballet Party
Get ready to be inspired… because I have an AMAZING holiday party to share with you today from the ultra-talented Kate of Kate Landers Events!
This gorgeous Nutcracker Suite Ballet Party is literally a sweet holiday dream brought to life. There are so many clever, creative details to admire – from the sparkly fondant lollipops and ridiculously cute white chocolate covered peppermint ganache mice (LOVE!) to the princess-like ruffled table skirts and ballet tutu favors. A-DORABLE…
Read on for TONS of gorgeous, pink-a-licious images (as captured by Liza Voll) and all the creative & inspiring party details, as told by Kate herself…
THE INSPIRATION:
“Several months ago a client requested I design a Nutcracker Suite Ballet Party for her daughter. As someone with an extensive background in ballet myself – (I danced for 17 years, starting at a very young age) – I was beyond thrilled with this theme, to say the least!
The entire party design is based off of these 2 images of costumes from The Nutcracker, as well as scenes from the ballet, including characters, backdrops, props, and many memorable moments of the masterpiece:
{image credits: costume photo – Rachel Papo; Nutcracker Ballet scene – PanacheMag.com}
The actual party will not occur until much closer to the holidays, but I wanted to share the design earlier order to provide inspiration for others that might want to host their own Nutcracker Ballet Party this year! And as luck would have it, I was connected last summer with photographer Liza Voll, a ballerina herself and photographer of several Boston ballet companies (and many performances of The Nutcracker!). It seemed like fate for she and I to collaborate on this photo shoot!
THE COLORS:
Pink was the base. We chose light ballet pink, medium pink, dark pink, and cranberry with hints of sparkly silver and white.
THE TABLE:
wanted a floor-length table covering that was tiered, ruffled, and went from lightest to darkest shades of pink, similar to the image of the costumes attached. Carolyn of Sweet Tea and Linen created exactly what I had in mind – the table skirt was absolutely extraordinary!
Linens & Tableware:
I absolutely adore personalized party favors, and love how delighted children get when they see something with their name on it! I had designer Emily of Magnolia Creative create exquisite painted pottery salad plates for each guest, which served as both a “place card” and a lovely take-home party favor (after a quick rinse and dry!).
A taffeta table runner was placed down the middle and lined with clear glass beaded platters and bowls of treats, trimmed with cranberry velvet ribbons. Classic light pink linen napkins, traditional silver flatware and clear glasses completed the look–pristine, feminine, and sweet.
DESSERT TABLE:
Oh, the dessert table. This was a huge part of the party design, and the details were very important. The idea was to create a “stage” where each dessert represented different characters, costumes, props or scenes from The Nutcracker Suite Ballet.
I hung hand glittered letters over the table that were strung together on pink ribbon, and spelled out “Sweet Dreams“. Pink and silver trees that I created gave height and reinforced the color-scheme. The Nutcracker stood out well, and while pink was used throughout, hints of silver could be found to give it a luster and sparkle.
Clear glass vessels enabled the treats to truly stand out. I also wanted to make sure that clear glass domes were used in order to represent snow globes, something the client’s daughter adored (as do I!). It worked well with the theme, as if what was inside was something magical…
Cake Pop Bake Shop took a very detailed design from me and made the most extraordinary cake truffles and cake pops (with little holly leaves and a berry on top!).
Angela of Queen of Tarts Cakes crafted the most stunning cookies shaped like cupcakes, cakes, candy and tiaras – all with shimmer, of course!
Edible Details created the gorgeous light pink, rose and white fondant swirly and sparkly lollipops–pure sweetness!!!!
Little Snowflakes created the most precious white chocolate covered peppermint ganache mice – oh, aren’t they charming? I just adore these treats! She made the yummy peppermint bark as well.
The macarons were a true standout. Breathtaking. Bokolette took my color-scheme and made the most delightful sweets to match.
Kim of Sweeties by Kim made gorgeous pale pink white chocolate covered Oreos with a raspberry design (they are actually pink, though they look white in the photos) – pristine in appearance, and delightful to taste!
MORE DECOR DETAILS:
- Gorgeous and LARGE, fluffy pale pink tulle poms hung above the table, adding an element of frothiness, and grace; resembled tutus and cotton candy.
- A large glass bowl was filled with soft pink tulle and a range of sizes of pale pink and glittered cream Christmas ornaments.
- I created several Christmas trees (as that enormous Christmas tree in the ballet has always stood out to me). In keeping with the color-scheme, I created my own trees using fringed tissue festooning, pom pom trim, tulle trim and silver tinsel. The turned out incredibly magical and eye-catching and adorn both the kids party table and the dessert table.
- I had the pleasure of collaborating with Jennifer Birkhead of Jennifer Birkhead Design in Australia, to create the perfect invitation and party printables. She actually drew a macaron tower, beautiful desserts, even a tiny mouse wearing a crown–she is such a talent!
- I have always loved the idea of giving an item along with the invitation to build excitement about the event. For this client, we decided that each guest would receive a hardcover copy of a picture book of The Nutcracker Suite along with their invitation, which let them know they would be viewing a presentation of The Nutcracker Suite and enjoy Nutcracker Ballet-inspired Sweets as well!
- At the party, each guest will be receiving a large box, wrapped in pink and tied with gorgeous cranberry satin ribbon and with a lovely custom printed gift tag. In it will be sweet, simple, and fluffy no-sew tutus the client will be making herself. What a LOVELY treasure!
- Party Crackers: cardboard gift wrap tubes were cut into approximately 6″ sections, covered in light pink paper, then wrapped with layers and layers of tulle (either cranberry or pink), and tied with a beautiful ribbon in the opposite color. The client will be inserting the girl’s tickets to the matinee ballet performance inside of their “party cracker”.
- Nicole of Tradewind Tiaras created the most spectacular custom tiara for the guest of honor to wear at the party…I cannot say enough! Handmade and gorgeous.
- The girls will also be receiving ribbon wands made by Pinwheels and Pearls. These wands will give the girls the power to prance and twirl and enjoy hours of playtime!
I hope that this Nutcracker Suite Ballet Party has filled your head with visions of Sugarplum Fairies and served as a source of inspiration. Remember that above all–you can make a party look festive, magical and holiday, even in PINK!”
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I love everything Kate does but this just surpasses anything I’ve seen! This is beautiful and it looks like a little girl’s dream come true. great job Kate!
I love everything Kate does but this just surpasses anything I’ve seen! This looks like a dream come true for many little girls! Great Job Kate!
This party is fabulous. So dreamy. Would love to see a how-to for the tutus.
LOVE The Nutcracker. This time of year, it’s on infinite play at my house…what a fun party idea for a little girl!
I absolutely adore this party! Everything is so light and girly, yet it really radiates “holiday”! There are so many details and it seems nothing was left out! What an amazing job!
You certainly have a talent to put together something so beautiful. No detail overlooked. I really enjoy looking at these setups! Very inspiring.
Yay! I’ve been eagerly awaiting this post, and am, of course, astounded at how beautifully it all came together. Love it!!
This is my daughter’s party! OR should I say I wish it was! She is doing a nutcracker theme party this year. I just wish I could have done it so detailed as this! Love it. I mean really there are no words to how much I love it!! Thank you for posting this!
Pretty in Pink~ Adorable !!
What a pretty, sweet party idea. Every little girl’s dream.
Breathtakingly gorgeous & perfectly magical!
Just beautiful Kate!
This party is absolutely gorgeous! So inspirational…thanks for posting!
This party is breathtaking! Pure magic. Kate is so incredibly talented, and so are all the vendors involved in this party.
What a brilliant, beautiful idea! Love it!
Outstanding job by Kate! I love her thoughtfulness and attention to detail.
Spectacular! Kate outdid herself. This is marvelous.
WOW! One of the most beautiful posts I’ve ever seen
amazing party by Kate, just amazing, every detail pure perfection as it always is with her work. Love it.
Absolutely stunning. This kind of coordination really leaves me in awe. This is certainly a function I would love to be go to!
SOOO excited and in LOVE with the gorgeous images, including the images of our decorated sugar cookies from Queen of Tarts Cakes! Thanks so much to Kate and Hostess with the Mostess for featuring our cookies and Kate’s gorgeous party!!
Oh Kate…you truly are a star!!!
This is divine and so stunning. Working with my fav’s..Jennifer Birkhead Design, Tradewind Tiaras and Pinwheels and Pearls, you have created a memory that will last a lifetime…♥LOVE♥ xx
Oh my goodness… this is the most beautiful styled party EVER!
Love the details, everything looks amazing and those white chocolate mice are too cute!
Absolutely beautiful!
I don’t even like the nutcracker – but I LOVE this!
Kate continues to raise the bar! The {Ballerina Bites} are one of my favorite things! Thank you for sharing!!
I am in LOVE with it all. I want to come to this party!!! Gorgeous job Kate!!
LOVE THIS!!!!!
Wow absolutely gorgeous!
Simply stunning! Some of the most gorgeous biscuits I have ever seen! Love the crown and cupcake ones! Gives me some ideas for my daughters birthday :)
I am speechless over this gorgeously decorated party – the birthday girl and her guests will never forget this one!
The styling of the party is amazing. My daughter would be over the moon with a party like this. Maybe next year!!
I absolutely adored Kate´s Mermaid party couple of months ago but this is just breathtaking. These photos make me wish that I was a little girl again.
how beautiful and stunning. Any girl big or little would love this. The detail is what makes this seem like a dream. Well done
Totally gorgeous! I am in awe of this beautiful party. It made me feel like a fairy princess just looking at the pictures.
That is the sweetest and most whimsical Christmassy inspired table! It just brings me back to dressing up each year to go see the Nutcracker ballet. Beautiful!
I’ts truly beautiful I can’t wait for the how-to’s on the pink and silver tree’s!!!
Oh my goodness I am in love! Does anyone know where I can find that nutcracker? I have a but of a nutcracker obsession and that one is perfection.
Absolutely gorgeous!! I’m especially in love w/ Bokolette’s macaroons. They look perfect and almost too beautiful to eat! Well done!
What a truly magical party. I LOVE all the details and special touches. We adore the Nutcracker in our house, as I have 2 daughter’s dancing in the Nutcracker………..this party will certainly serve as an inspiration for our upcoming party.
Looking forward to seeing more of this party,
Debra
Another gorgeous party from the fabulous Kate Landers! I am in LOVE with the tiered tablecloth. Great job!
Unbelievably gorgeous!Susan, http://entertainexchange.blogspot.com/ Party and Entertaining Inspiration
An adorable idea.
Wow, I’m overwhelmed by how beautiful everything is!
I’m 60 years old and I want to come to this party!
Love, love, love this party! Making mental note of this one for a future party for a niece or goddaughter.
Swoon!! This is beautiful- what little girl (or girls of all ages) wouldn’t love this!! Great job!
So, so gorgeous! I love this theme!
OMG, this is so beautiful…Kate is truly amazing at what she does. The details are just perfect!
Beautiful. Just beautiful. I especially love the tiara cookies.
absolutely breathtaking! beautiful colors, decorations, and ideas-great job, really!
I LOVE this idea! My six year old daughter’s birthday is in december and I feel like she always gets stuck with Holiday-themed birthday parties. Now she can have a holiday and ballerina party!!
I love this! I was searching around for some inspiration for our annual holiday party & I think this is perfect for a dessert display! Probably my favorite of all the themes I’ve seen.
great site!
Honestly, I would cry if someone threw a party like that for me!
I never seen such an perfectly beautiful party!!!
so artistic! everything looks so perfect and absolutely gorgoues! After all the time and work, you would hate to tear it down.Masterpiece…
I know this is an old post. Will be using this theme in Nov. Thank you for sharing your ideas!
Perfect for mi Girl, her B-day is 12/23, she loves ballet and we can combine ballet with Xmas! yayy Thank youuu.
وايد راقي و انيق…………… شكراااان :)
Does anyone know what the base for the WHITE CHOCOLATE COVERED PEPPERMINT GANACHE MICE was?
I love it.
How did you plan this? Can you tell me?
How did she plan this? I would like to know. I have tried to plan a tea party for a while now but it is just too overwhelming!
where can I get the nutcracker, need a couple of them
Where can I get the nutcrackers, I need a few of them a couple at least. I am in love with this whole them my daughter first birthday is going to be this being that she was born 4 days before christmas. The best gift I could ever get for Christmas