{FEATURED} "UP" Birthday Party - LilSugar's Best in 2012

It such a great feeling to be ranked alongside other cute and creative birthday parties as one of the best.  Yup!!  Today, the editor of LilSugar came out with a list of the "Best of 2012:  The 15 Cutest, Most Creative Kids' Birthday Parties" and our very own "UP" inspired birthday Party made the list!!  It's even sweeter when you're ranked alongside Martha Stewart's granddaughter's first birthday party! Yes that's right!  MARTHA STEWART!!  Thanks again to Kate Stahl from LilSugar for recognition and thanks to the dream team for contributing your talents to make this party happen (Stephy G. Photography, inTrishting Creations, and Sweets by Honey).

From the words of Contributing Editor, Kate Stahl:

'Majell del Castillo designs absolutely beautiful events, but we were blown away (up, up, and away, that is) when we spotted the Up-inspired birthday bash she created. "We were mostly inspired by vintage details from the first 15 minutes of the movie," Majell says. "The props were mostly DIYprojects that were on the vintage side, from globes to grape soda and 'Ellie badges.'" But our favorite details have to be the balloon-inspired sweets, including an awesome house with macaron balloons and the cutest cupcakes around. Check out how Majell went above and beyond with this bash.'

Katherine's Mary Poppins Carousel (First Birthday) Party

I'm thrilled to share this amazing first birthday party I did this past July.  The Santa Monica Pier Carousel was the perfect venue for this Mary Poppins theme first birthday for little precious, Katherine.  The party was filled with lots of lovely details from the super cute custom cake topper to the penguin cake pops!  The kid guests enjoyed playing a game of "Pin the Bow Tie on the Penguin" and decorating their own "Banks" to hold their tuppence.  All of Katherine's guests enjoyed more than a spoonful of sugar and were able to take home their own silhouettes.  I'm sure Mary, Mr. Banks and his children would agree!

{Photo Credits:  Stephy G. Photography}

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Vendor Credits:

Event Planner/Stylist:  Majell del Castillo Events
Photographer:  Stephy G Photography
Silhouette Artist:  Silhouettes by Jordan
Catering:  California Pizza Kitchen
Cake topper: Anna Crafts on Etsy
Venue:  Carousel at the Santa Monica Pier
Cupcakes:  Sprinkles Cupcakes
Cake/Dessert Shots:  Vanilla Bake Shop
Penguin Pops/Spoonful of Sugar:  Frost the Cake Bakeshop
Invitation, banner, and cupcake toppers:  Loralee Lewis
Umbrellas:  Oriental Trading Mart

"UP" Inspired Birthday Party {FEATURED} on "Hostess with the Mostess"



We are absolutely delighted and honored to have our birthday party photoshoot inspired by Disney/Pixar's "UP" featured on the popular party blog, "Hostess With The Mostess". This was a collaborative effort which included the talents of myself, Stephy G. Photography, inTrishting Creations, Sweets By Honey, and our lovely models (our very own kiddos)!! Thanks to the ladies from HWTM for the feature!! Check out the feature by clicking the link below:

http://blog.hwtm.com/2012/09/up-movie-inspired-kids-birthday-party/

Merry Cris + James {ENGAGED!}

Merry Cris (aka M.C. to her friends and family) and James were students at California State University Channel Islands in Camarillo, CA.  They met at a college party in early October 2006.  They met a few more times that month although their encounters were brief.  Coincidentally, they met again at their college library.  This led to weekly meetings in the library until they graduated in 2008.

Six years later they will finally tie the knot this coming Saturday, August 11^th in Thousand Oaks, CA!!  I’ve known M.C. since I was in junior high school so when she contacted me last year to help design and plan her wedding I felt very honored.  She’s one of the sweetest, intelligent girls I know and I wanted to make sure her dream wedding will look ultra fabulous and chic with a mod/vintage theme!!

Here’s a little preview of their e-session!!  Allen Newsum of Ambrosia Event Services photographed it on the grounds of their alma mater.  Enjoy!!

{Photos by Ambrosia Event Services}

Ava's Vintage Carousel {First Birthday} Party

Planning your child's very first birthday party is such a huge milestone.  As an event planner, Ava's first birthday party is no different from planning a wedding.  And because it's such an important event all details should be considered.  From the invitation to location to the food you will serve, you have to consider every detail no matter how large or small.  Ava's birthday took place at the historic Carousel at the Santa Monica Pier!!  It was the perfect venue for adults and kids!


The inspiration for this party was the carousel.  To keep with the vintage theme and to make things colorful, I chose pastel shades of pink and blue (main colors used) and green and yellow (accents).  My hubby, Steve, and I wanted to keep within our budget so we incorporated a lot of DIY projects.  All the hard work certainly paid off!  Not only was the party a success, but our guests had such a fun time!

{Photography by Patricio A. Tagudar III}

Vendor Credits:

Event Planner:  Majell del Castillo Events

Photographer:  Patricio A Tagudar, III

Cake:  Vanilla Bake Shop

French Macarons:  'Lette Macarons

Red Velvet and Salted Caramel whoopie pies:  Majell del Castillo Events

Silhouette artist:  Sylhouettes by Sylvia

Cake platters:  Private collection

Carousel topper and dessert table canopy:  Steve del Castillo

Ava's 1st Birthday Party was {FEATURED} - "On To Baby"

Last November we held Ava's birthday party at the historic Carousel at the Santa Monica Pier.  I'm honored and humbled to have her birthday party featured on the pretty baby blog "On To Baby"!  Check out the fabulous article written about the party.  Thanks again "On To Baby" for the feature!!


Click here for the article:  http://www.ontobaby.com/2012/01/pink-and-blue-carousel-birthday-party/

Part 2: Laura+Manny {ENGAGED!}

Hello lovelies!  Tomorrow is another big day for us!!  Laura and Manny are getting married!!  We're so excited to be a part of their special day!  I decided to take a small break from my wedding planning duties to share a few more photos from their beautiful and sexy e-session taken in Temecula, California.  Thanks again to the talented James Moro for sharing these amazing pictures!  Breathtaking!!

{Photos by James Moro Photography}