Paris, s'il vous plaît
My sister's three children were all given special milestone celebrations when they turned 10 years old. Because the older two children both chose an overnight trip to a nearby city filled with fun shopping and dining, a getaway felt like the natural choice when the youngest had her turn.
However, this child dreamed a little bigger and requested a destination much farther away—she wanted to travel to Paris to celebrate her first decade! While we ultimately decided to keep the tradition closer to home, we still wanted to honor her Parisian fascination. So, we did the next best thing: we brought Paris to my hometown!
Chic Curation: Crafting the Parisian Environment
As with any themed party, choosing a cohesive color scheme helps to unify the decor. We selected a palette of soft pink, crisp black-and-white stripes, and shimmering gold accents. A large, ceramic pink poodle anchored one side of our focal point, balanced beautifully on the other side by a gold spray-painted Eiffel Tower replica. A borrowed Parisian backdrop and handmade black-and-white striped awnings dressed up the wall spaces, while patio string lights completed the enchanting look.
Bon Appétit: Curating a Parisian Tasting Menu
Incorporating French-inspired foods into the theme weekend added to the sense of adventure. Homemade macarons and artisanal French sodas lent an air of festivity to the party, while an assortment of crepes from a local French café starred on the menu the next day. The birthday girl even enjoyed her morning café au lait from a Paris-themed mug while traditional French music played softly in the background.
The Planner’s Touch: Bringing "Savoir-Faire" to the Party
Sharing unique interests with an event coordinator is a wonderful way to develop highly individualized celebrations and build treasured core memories. Expert event planning can transform a single special occasion into an unforgettable full weekend of tailored activities.
In addition to our family birthday dinner, this custom 10th-birthday Parisian party featured:
A lively hotel slumber party with cousins at a downtown hotel with a rooftop pool
An exclusive live music set performed by a local artist just for the guest of honor
A cozy dinner at a neighborhood crêperie
A gourmet dessert stop at a boutique ice cream parlor
A thrilling ride in the birthday girl's absolute dream sports car
A milestone birthday celebration should do more than just commemorate a specific age; it is a time to acknowledge and enjoy the unique traits that make our loved ones who they are. At the end of the day, celebrating the people you love is pure joy—célébrer l'amour.