07 Jun Poppies For Grace Indoor Picnic Party

The weather not so great outside?! How about throwing a indoor picnic party?

This is the perfect example of a party that you can host in the comfort of your own home. For the styling and decorations we used a classic picnic gingham tablecloth, our signature Poppies for Grace Circle Mylar Balloons, colourful paper cups and kraft paper dishes for guests to serve their own plate of goodies. Vases of flowers added even more colour and texture to the scene.

Catering was geared towards the adults, as one year olds aren’t as interested in the food. We couldn’t help but dig into the delicious cheese platter from our friends at Farmgate Cheese.

The cake took pride of place on the table and was decorated using different styles of icing, colourful feathers and Poppies for Grace ‘XO’ cake-topper foil balloons.

When making a cake of this size it’s always fun to have different flavours for each layer. If you’re trying this at home, remember that lighter-coloured cakes are easier to ice, whereas a chocolate cake can be a bit tricky. Our favourite flavours are white-chocolate mud, coconut cake and lemon cake.

Top 5 party styling tips

1. Focus on one area for decorating. This simply means you are less likely to have a party meltdown trying to get it all together.

2. A lovely jumbo balloon is an easy styling feature. Scatter a few around the room or hang a few custom jumbo balloons with crepe fringe.

3. Pinterest is a great place to get some inspiration for party themes, or check out party blogs or Instagram for ideas.

4. Flowers always work for us – pick some lovely branches from your garden.

5. If you are pressed for time, gather simple, party-decor products like honeycomb balls, confetti and balloons in different sizes.

5 quick questions

A favourite party Poppies for Grace have styled?

We had the privilege of setting up Billie Judd’s first birthday.

What would be your ideal party?

My ideal party always involves Sara’s cooking and our closest friends. We often like to go to the vineyard (my husband’s work) and set up a table outside. Wine, soup and homemade fruit pies all gathered around a fire = heaven! The kids run free, fly kites, kick a ball around and our favourite activity is making paper planes and having a flying competition.

What makes Poppies for Grace unique?

We try to stay true to what excites us; it’s always about colour and finding beauty in small details. I think this carries through our work. You can see our delight and love of play.

What do you love most about your job?

Stirring the confetti tub! Our mini confetti is made in our Melbourne studio, it’s delivered to us in big paper bags which we then pour into an enormous tub – all ready for stirring!

What are the latest party trends you are seeing?

Monochrome seems to be all the rage for boys, and pink, peach and gold is a real hit with girls.

Poppies for Grace was launched by creative Melbourne pair Sara Dickens and Alana Waterson at the age of 21. Fast-forward to today and Poppies for Grace are leaders in the Aussie party and styling scene. Big thanks to Alana for sharing with us how to style and host a glamorous kids’ indoor picnic party, that adults can also enjoy.

Find Poppies for Grace unique and colourful mix of imported and handcrafted party products on their website, blog, Instagram, Facebook or contact them via email.

Images by Armelle Habib / Styling + Decorations + Stationery Poppies for Grace / Cake Sara Dickins / Catering Poppies for Grace, Farmgate Cheese