My twins have officially reached the age of “Mom, can you change the radio station?” Every time we get in the car. And they always ask for one of the country stations. Which started my party planning wheels turning … all we needed to do was to combine country music with an awards show red carpet, and we had a Country Music Awards birthday party theme!
You can recreate this party using my Country Music Awards Party Plan! I give you every detail and shopping link you need to plan this party — plus LOADS more pictures.
My vision for the party was “country glam” and to me that meant gold sequins, the black of a vinyl record album, and the browns of burlap. Anders Ruff perfectly translated my vision, designing the album-inspired invitation and all the other printables. You can find the collection in their shop.
Walking the Red Carpet
Watching a red carpet show with my girls always cracks me up because with every gown, they turn to me and say, “Do you like that dress?” I know it won’t be too many years before they think I have no fashion sense and their question becomes, “Mom, are you really wearing that?” So, we started the party with a red carpet, complete with a rope line and mom-parazzi. We even asked each guest “who” she was wearing and gave them backstage passes.
The Dressing Room
The guests all went “backstage” to the dressing room, where they could choose cowgirl hats, as well as gold and pearl necklaces. Each station at the party was marked by a gold and chalkboard-style tray. (The party plan has complete instructions for making the trays + free printables for Dressing Room, Craft Services, CMA Awards and Swag Bags.)
Karaoke Time
Our guests formed musical groups and chose songs to perform. Some felt shy, but after a trip to the dessert table, sugar brought out the boldness! I made lyrics books to help the girls choose their songs.
Awards Ceremony
After all the performers sang, it was “the moment we’ve all been waiting for” … the awards ceremony! The Vice President of Packaging & Shipping and I made awards for each guest, which I announced with as much fanfare as possible! (The briefcase is from “the accounting firm that tabulated the results” … one of those little mom jokes that go over the kids’ heads, but which I really enjoy!)
Dessert Table
I dressed the “craft services” dessert tables in white linens with a burlap topper on the center table. The Anders Ruff “happy birthday” banner hung from the center table. On each side table, I added a matching sticker to a black tissue fan to mimic the look of a vinyl record. The side tables also featured rag garlands that I made in our party colors. (Find the tutorial in the party plan.)
Our party was at 2 p.m., so we served a selection of sweet treats, plus birthday cake. I made the cake, trimming the bottom with gold stars from my favorite fondant chick, Edible Details. Sweets included:
- Microphone cake pops by my wonderful sponsor Sugar-Sugar Cakes
- Peanut butter frosting topped brownie bites (so, so, so good)
- “9” cookies by my local favorite and Etsy seller Guilty Confections
- Boot cookies also by Guilty Confections, who very kindly matched the colors to our party palette
- Candy from Candy Galaxy, including gumballs, Jelly Bellies, and yogurt covered pretzels. (They make it so easy to search for candy by color.)
Photo Booth
The photo booth was one of my favorite elements. I took a clothing rack and suspended sheet music and then added black curtains with gold tiebacks. I painted out an old microphone toy and also had a guitar and antique gold frame for the girls to pose with.
Dining Table
This is one of my favorite dining tables that I’ve been able to create for my girls. It’s all about layering, as you can see me explain in this video. The table combines the rustic and glam elements, with florals in rustic, wood containers sitting on the gold sequin table runners. (See the centerpiece tutorial here.) Each plate sat atop a piece of sheet music and was topped by a microphone with an Anders Ruff place card.
The tutorial for the burlap wrapped mason jars with the gold straw flags will appear on Love the Day soon. Each mason jar had its own coaster: a vinyl 45 from Goodwill!
On the back of each chair, I added a vinyl album with an Anders Ruff sticker to make the album from MGN records (my girls’ initials)! The chiavari chairs are from my darling sponsor, Sweet Seats, serving the Atlanta area.
Swag Bags
Instead of “party favors,” we gave our awards show-style “swag bags.” Each bag included a CD of the girls’ favorite country songs (mom-approved, of course.) I love the CD label and favor tag from Anders Ruff.
And that’s the party! Would you throw a karaoke party? Let me know in comments below. And remember, you can recreate my party for your daughter with my easy-to-use party plan!
Vendor Credits
- Party Styling and Party Plan: The Party Teacher
- Photography: Viridian Images Photography
- Printables: Anders Ruff
- Gold Stars on Birthday Cake: Edible Details
- Microphone Cake Pops: Sugar-Sugar Cakes
- Cookies: Guilty Confections
- Gold Sequin Table Runners: Floral Touch
- Gold Chivari Chairs: Sweet Seats
Jennifer,
I LOVE this party! Everything looks so beautiful, and I know the kids had a ball! The long table and all of the fun activities are my favorites- and the cute sweet treats! What a great party design- I am always thrilled to see what you create!! Fantastic!
Hi Lydia – You know I feel the same way about you! Wish we lived closer!
I love this party!! Everything looks so nice and elegant. I really loved the desert table, awards, and your mason cups!
Thanks, Cheryl! It was fun to be able to create something that was everything my daughters love.
Is there a specific template you used to make the labels for the records on the back of the chairs? I’m looking for something like this!
Hi – The record labels were part of the printables from Anders Ruff. You can find them at http://andersruff.com/. Good luck!
?Where did you get the balloons
Hi Kath! The balloons were from https://shopsweetlulu.com/. Thanks for asking, Jennifer
Were your balloons the 30in or 36in? Love your presentation with them. I got the 36 hoping to replicate your setup but am now nervous I got too big?
Hi Lisa – I ordered these from Shop Sweet Lulu, so I believe they were 36″. Good luck!