First Communion Party
Yesterday, I shared the beauty of the preparation and the loveliness of the First Communion Mass. Today, I dish on the party details. Southern girls love their soirees. I recently did a week-long series on preparing for First Communion, everything from clothes to flowers to invitations, what fun!
Invitations
I went back and forth on these about a dozen times. For both the boys, I designed their invitations, but because of timing, I decided to order these from Tiny Prints. It ended up being the inspiration for the entire party. Pink is Anna-Laura’s favorite color and the pink ribbon flowed beautifully into the decorations, as did the chalice graphic. The shipping was fast, the product exactly as I imagined and they even had a free online RSVP site to accompany the invite. You can view the entire collection of First Communion invitations at Tiny Prints. I snapped the photo of Anna-Laura a few weeks before the event and then uploaded it for the invitation. I also framed the photo and set it on the dessert table.
Flowers
My buddy Ruth, from Fleurish Austin, and I teamed up to create the flowers. I’ve always just grabbed some from the grocery store, but I decided to put my Floriculture 101 class from A&M to work. Ruth and I had a blast creating these arrangements together on a rainy Thursday morning. My Pinterest board got a workout. I’m still dreaming about the smell of freshly cut flowers. I’m also wondering if Ruth needs an assistant.
The Tables
The girls helped me set the tables; it made for a fun after school activity. I used simple scrapbook paper that they rounded with my corner punch and then we laid out plates, tied ribbons on napkins and set the silverware. Southern girl alert here. Why have pretty dishes if you never use them? I decided today was worthy of all things beautiful, so we busted out the fine china. I even had a great chat with the Godmother while we washed it all! Oh, and yes, the kids got cloth napkins, too.
Food
And, it really isn’t a party unless Scott makes his guacamole and fajitas. He grilled the meat the night before and we popped it in the oven at 200-degrees before we left for Mass. It was just right when we arrived home. There were some great stories told during lunch.
Dessert Table
It was fun to go from Avengers the week before to this! It was a bit of pink, a dash of white and lots of lovelies. We served Simply Lemonade’s Raspberry Lemonade (yum-o), yogurt-covered pretzels, sugar cookies and lemon blueberry First Communion cake, in addition to the fajitas and guac.
Sweets
The cake was dee-licious. It was lemon-blueberry and my ideas for the cake were made even sweeter by Olga and the creative gals at Polkadots. The cake was stunning, classy and delicious. I think they outdid themselves on this one.
The cookies were amazing creations from my friend, Kendra. {How on earth do I know such talented people?!} They were made even more special because Kendra and I used to go to the same parish. She has three sweet girls of her own and I could see her heart in every cookie. I almost hated to eat them. But, somehow, I overcame it.
The Veil and Dress
In the beginning, there was a mom who believed she had puh-lenty of time to make these. Then, she woke up to reality and scoured Etsy. As providence would have it, I found the prettiest dress, and after consulting with the First Communicant, we placed the order. You see, our family doesn’t have any heirloom dresses. My husband has no sisters and my family is Protestant. I sprung for a dress that I hope to keep in our family for many, many years. I was even more excited when I read this note from the Etsy seller:
We corresponded on the election of a new pope, remember?
Then I thought of our beloved Pope John Paul II. I was born and spent my childhood in Wadowice, a town where John Paul was born. I attended this same school (a small town, and there is only one school 🙂 Now I live in Warsaw, but in this Sunday I visiting Wadowice, because my brother’s daughter has first communion 🙂
How crazy cool is that? The sweet gal who made Anna-Laura’s dress is from Bl. Pope John Paul II’s birthplace. I tell ya. So awesome. And, the dress was sewn just perfect. It fit her like a glove and was so well made. And, to think I almost didn’t pick up the package from the post office because of a communication error on my part! The veil was made by a former Catholic school momma, now grandmother, in the Midwest. Denise hit a homerun with this one. She even made the veil detachable!
The Gifts
We thought long and hard about these. Ultimately, we bought Anna-Laura a personalized rosary, a First Communion bowl and two books (one about saints, the other full of prayers). She received some gorgeous and heartfelt gifts from friends, family and Godparents. As she opened them all, sitting in the middle of our living room floor, I kept thinking, “My goodness she looks like an angel.” At some point I’ll have to share her hilarious (and honest) thank you notes.
At some point in the day, I looked over at Anna-Laura’s Godmother and remarked, “You know how sometimes in life a day is so good you want it to last forever?” She nodded and we both smiled. As our day wound to a close, Anna-Laura looked at me and said, “Mom, can I take the dress off now?” I slowly walked her to my bathroom, stood her in front of the mirror and said, “Take one last look pretty girl.” She giggled. Then I said this, “Never forget how beautiful you look today. That’s how God sees you everyday.”
May we all remember the beauty of First Communion. I pray that her big day was one she’ll cherish for a lifetime.
The Details
Invitations: Tiny Prints*
Flowers: Fleurish Austin
Cake: Polkadots
Cookies: Kendra Bartlett
Dress: Miss Crinoline
Veil: Dainties by Denise
Rosary: Trendy Traditions
First Communion Bowl: Clarey Clayworks
*I did receive 20 invitations from Tiny Prints in exchange for my feature of them. But even if they hadn’t sent invites my way, I still would’ve sung their praises! Opinions are 100% mine.
I absolutely love this post! What a glorious day! I have 4 daughters and remember so clearly each First Communion. I was in my smocking days then and created each of their dresses. Your comment at the end of the post made me cry. Looking in the mirror…..I said this to my 2 oldest daughters on their wedding days in their beautiful gowns!
So beautiful. I love all the details. That cake is just beautiful as are the cookies. Of course, your daughter looks just radiant!!
What a lovely little party you put together. Your daughter looks absolutely thrilled. My little boy is celebrating his First Holy Communion in two weeks and informed me that he would love to have a pizza party at a pizza parlor. I was a bit disappointed because I love to plan, organize, and host parties at home, but decided that it was indeed his big day and he should have his wished fulfilled. So, pizza, coke, and brownies it is!
Kathryn, you know I never cry… but you have such a knack for bringing my tears out (sweet, joyful tears). What a wonderful day!
Thanks again for sharing all those precious memories!
God bless you all!
V
Kathryn – this is a beautiful post – tears at my desk reading it!
Blessings to Miss Anna-Laura….
What a wonderful post! Congratulations to Anna Laura on her 1st Communion. My DD made hers on April 21 and it was a truly special day. I just have to say thank you for dressing your darling little girl like a little girl. My daughter wore a beautiful dress, lovely veil, and her usual hair style. We were shocked when we arrived at the Church and saw that most of the other girls were wearing full stage make-up and pageant hair.
I think I definitely need a lemonade/drink dispenser! And to put it on a ruffled cake stand like that, great idea! Do you just use regular ribbon from Michael’s (the pink that you used to accent the servingware)? Looked so lovely!
Karen, I got it for uber cheap at Target! I used regular ribbon from Michaels and affixed it with double stick tape – my very best friend for parties.
Blessings to your Anna-Laura on her first communion…always so special. Sacramental celebrations are big in our family, too. My eldest son’s Confirmation is just around the corner. I found perfect invites at Tiny Prints. I also ordered him a personalized rosary, and a chaplet for his sponsor (easily my millionth purchase from ‘the rosary chick’, love her!). And, thanks to your suggestion, we’re giving him the Confirmation bowl from Clarey Clayworks.
With our only daughter at home in heaven, my family-heirloom dress and veil will remain in the cedar chest, awaiting a granddaughter 🙂
Kim, it sounds like we have the same taste 🙂
And, I want you to know every since I learned of the passing of your daughter, when I see your name I offer a prayer of peace for you. No doubt, your granddaughter will look lovely in that dress and veil. God bless and have a great weekend.
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My daughter is 16 and handicapped from the waist down and in a wheel chair.She finially made her First holy communion last year at 15 and it was somewhat of a challenge! We took her out dress shopping and she finially found a cute.poofy communion dress and matching veil in her size and i prayed that it would fit her since she wasnt able to try it on in the store.we got home and i tried it on her and it fit perfectly! Next,to make it easier on both her and me,i got her the lace anklets,instead of tights,and the white patent leather shoes.Last,i had to decide if she would wear her normal disposable diaper under her dress or do something different.I decided to be more traditional with her and do a white cloth diaper and rubberpants under her dress in place of her disposable.I made her diaper out of baby diapers and got the white rubberpants from a website.the morning of her ceremony,we got her all dressed and put her in her wheel chair.she looked very cute and nice in her outfit.