Party at The Gesa Carousel Of Dreams
A carousel themed stylized shoot
When Kristen reached out to me from the Gesa Carousel of Dreams about collaborating on a project I was SO EXCITED!
As the resident “kids party planner” in these parts, Gesa’s Carousel of Dreams is right up my alley! In fact, one of the very first parties I ever styled was at the carousel!
I’m Kate Bonderman of Posh Party Bebes and I’ve partnered with the Gesa Carousel of Dreams to show the Tri-Cities how to throw the CUTEST, Pinterest worthy party at their spot! So of course I called some of the best people in the biz to help me bring my party plan to life! And I mean....these pictures really do speak for themselves! Captured by Ilennis Martinez Photography- I highly recommend Ilennis for anything you may need photos for- your wedding, your family Christmas card- she is such a talent!
This is actually the first and only kids party “stylized shoot” I’ve ever done. The photos I post on my Instagram feed are usually of whatever events I’m currently planning/styling etc- Some people won’t agree with me- but I’ve felt that often times the stylized shoots we see for events and weddings are so far from reality for so many people/brides/kids/ reasonable human beings...that I really wanted to try to be as realistic as possible, while of course adding a few design elements that you might not typically see at the Gesa Carousel Of Dreams! This was the perfect time of year to showcase the carousel, all dolled up for Christmas- It is also a great option for winter birthday kiddos!The perfect indoor party palace when partying outside isn’t an option!
Believe it or not this tablescape is all just paper and plastic. Plastic tablecloths and runners, paper goods, party hats and confetti- all affordable, and most of the paper goods used for this shoot were purchased at the $1 store- I mean even The Gesa Carousel Of Dreams has a budget, pple 😬
Adorable Paper plates and party hats from Meri Meri Party brought together our darling budget-friendly tablescape!
This 6 ft balloon garland is a relatively easy DIY for any crafty parent, if you can’t talk me into making you your own balloon garland kit- you can purchase them online, or order a garland from Posh Party Bebes and install it yourself! A few command hooks, tape, even thumb tacks - you can put up balloons above your cake table in a snap! No expensive helium, and in this case it’s really the only “decor” you need!
It is a stylized shoot— so I had to invite Chandra from Simplified Celebrations (fondly known as @flowermoney) to design something fun for our Gesa Carousel party- and she didn’t disappoint! She is my go-to referral for clients who are looking for unique and original floral design for any occasion. Everything from weddings, to corporate events - Simplified Celebrations always amazes her clients with her creations!
Do these photos make you realize how bad you need a popcorn vase? (you can find plastic popcorn vases at the dollar store and on amazon) such a cute and fun way to bring our theme back into our design with adorable red and white striped runners + Of course some popcorn favors from the carousel’s concessions stand!
popcorn, anyone?
Not only did she wow us with her inventive popcorn vase- Chandra brought a vintage feel with beautiful milk glass vases from her personal collection for her two other gorgeous pieces- which lent themselves perfectly to the vintage feel of the Carousel!
Paper honeycombs, confetti, and carousel tokens were all easy decor details added to our fun carousel themed table! Another great thing about the Gesa Carousel of Dreams and their vibe in general is that it works for both boy and girl parties! This theme can easily have more masculine or more girly elements added to it!
Just like if you have your party at the Gesa Carousel Of Dreams- all the kids at our stylized shoot snacked on popcorn and goodies from the concessions, plenty of options for party guests to snack on before cake time!
One of my most favorite details from the day were the beautiful carousel themed cookies from Frost Me Sweet! We barely got to take pictures of them before all the kiddos snatched them up! Horses, ticket stubs, elephants and giraffes!! Frost me Sweet designed the perfect cookie party favors!
The Gesa Carousel of Dreams is offering a great new party package + each package comes with unlimited carousel rides for each party guests with their VIP wristband! The outside play area is a great spot to take a break and get outside for a few minutes, too!
This shoot is showcasing the standard kids party package for up to 8 guests! Full facility use and a private room for your party, unlimited carousel rides for 8 kiddos, and the carousel provides tables and chairs for adults and children at your event! They even have a place for your cake!
The cutest Bebes joined us for our shoot- we can’t thank our mini models + their mamas enough for joining us!
Which brings us to the star of the show throughout this shoot (besides piper and her pigs tails) - THE CAKE.
So you’ve booked your party at the Gesa Carousel Of Dreams, ordered your balloon garland from Posh Party Bebes + bought your plastic tablecloths and paper goods from the dollars store- now you need the one thing you probably can’t DIY- a jaw dropping bday cake from Frost Me Sweet!
Cookies, cakes, pies, cheesecake- Frost me Sweet is one stop shopping for celebration sweets! This beautiful Carousel cake designed by Megan Savely at Frost me Sweet brought our entire party together!
With her gorgeous newly remodeled location, Frost Me Sweet (in the Parkway off G-Way in Richland) Chef Megan Savely also serves up some of the best grub in town- featured on Food Networks “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives” as one of the best spots in the PNW to grab lunch and a cupcake- Most recently Megan showed off her cookie baking skills on this years Christmas Cookie Challenge, also a nationally televised show on the Food Network! We were honored to have such a talented local business join our fun at the Gesa Carousel Of Dreams!
Party at the Gesa Carousel of Dreams
$145
• Wristbands for unlimited Carousel rides for up to 8 kids
• Two 60” kids tables + chairs
• One adult table + chairs
• Full use of private event space/party room (approx 500 sq.ft)
• Concessions stand access for treats and snacks available for purchase!
With the holidays right around the corner, we also wanted to remind the community about what a perfect venue the Gesa Carousel of Dreams could be for your company Christmas party! If DIY centerpieces like this one aren’t your style - just give Simplified Celebrations a call and she will design the perfect Christmas party centerpieces! Or you can sign up for one of her popular Sips + Stems classes and learn how to design flowers like a pro!
Decorated with dozens of Christmas Trees big + small throughout the carousel - It is the perfect place for Christmas! The event space offers room to accommodate up to 400 guests for an open house style soirée- or if You’re wanting something a little more formal, the main room can comfortably seat up to 95 guests for a seated+catered event! The Carousel can recommend their list of preferred vendors for any event you may be looking to host!
Nothing more nostalgic than Christmas at the Gesa Carousel Of Dreams!
Make sure you check out the fabulous local vendors who donated their time and talents to this beautiful shoot listed below! Follow them all on their social media outlets and support these local small businesses!
Venue: Gesa Carousel of Dreams
Planning & Design:Posh Party Bebes
Cake + cookies: Frost Me Sweet
Florals: Simplified Celebrations
Photography: Ilennis Martinez Photogtaphy
Popcorn party favors: Gesa Carousel of Dreams
Balloons & Decor: Posh Party Bebes
Mini Models: Teddy Bonderman, Piper + Kellen Hafer, Zoey, Jax + Marlee Tolar, Kennedy Cliber, Cameron Sampson
Vendor social media handles:
@poshpartybebes
@carouselofdreams
@frostmesweet
@ilennismartinezphotography
@flowermoney
www.poshpartybebes.com