Today’s Real Party is – in a word – DELICIOUS!

This Ice Cream/Candy Shoppe theme was created by Pooneh Shakoori and friend/event planner Sheri Valainis for her daughter’s 5th birthday party, and there’s actually also some great inspiration here for a Pickles & Ice Cream or Cravings baby shower!

Read on for TONS of adorable & inspiring images, as well as a description of the party as told by Pooneh…

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“My daughter, Tara loves sweets, so an ice cream/candy party was the perfect choice for her 5th birthday celebration.

We chose to host the event at our local Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlor which recently opened at The Mission Viejo Shops, in Orange County, California. I asked my girlfriend, Sheri, with Sheri Valainis Events, to help me.

We wanted to completely transform the space into a magical, sweet candy palace.

For the table centerpieces, we alternated between giant ice cream sundaes and glass jars filled with sundae toppings.

To tie the look together, we also created whimsical marabou ice cream cone centerpieces with hot pink and lime green blumeboxes and set them on each end of the tables.

{Side note from Jenn: I was able to recreate the round, fluffy “ice cream scoops” for the sugar cones by tying a piece of marabou boa in knots – on on top of the other – until the boa ball reached the ideal size for the cone. Trim off any excess boa and place the trimmed end down inside the cone.}

Each place setting featured an “ice cream cone” made out of cake cones, pink carnations, and a red gumball for the “cherry on top“!

To add to the ambiance, we created a candy table straight out of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. The kids loved it!

We kept the children busy with ice cream and candy related crafts and ice cream themed games.

A great time was had by all!”

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