Yuna’s Retro Kitchen Inspired Party – 1st Birthday

Throughout the past few months, I’ve had the greatest pleasure of sharing some of the loveliest parties around the country and Yuna’s party is definitely right up in that alley. While it’s easy to assume that we’ve seen everything children’s parties have to offer, believe me, Yuna’s retro kitchen inspired party is outrageously pretty, over the top clever and mind-blowing fabulous! For Maja – the lovely owner of Passion Cooks Catering, Yuna is her answered prayer, the best gift from the greatest Giver. I love how she gave Yuna a first birthday party that shows how she feels – full of love. With every little detail she put into this exquisite celebration, I can feel her passion and energy. In fact, the whole team gave out their 101% in making Yuna’s party very memorable and special!

Together with Yuna’s “fairy” godmother, Kathleen of Spark + Twinkle, Maja’s extraordinary eye for details plus an overly creative team of suppliers, feast your eyes on Yuna’s drool-worthy party as seen through the eyes lens of Little J Photography (who deserved an A++ for all these magnificent photos you’re about to see).

Oh, before we transport ourselves to Yuna’s Pleasantville (minus the black and white effect), here’s a little something from Maja, herself.

“Of all the parties I’ve handled, this one is closest to my heart. Not just because Yuna is my first born, but because the details of her party took me back to our humble beginnings. Kitchen and baking utensils, various plates in different forms and sizes, silverware… these were some of the things I saved up for before entering the catering industry. Thus, a kitchen party for Yuna’s 1st is just appropriate. This particular theme also reminds me of God’s faithfulness and how He can answer prayers in His perfect time.

Planning Yuna’s party was so much fun! I experienced a lot of answered prayers throughout the planning process alone! I didn’t have to go to malls to buy what has to be placed on the tables, as Passion Cooks’ kitchen was only a stone’s throw away! I borrowed some kitchen utensils, which Yuna’s Lola gladly lent. As for the main backdrop, my sister, who is an interior designer, took care of redesigning our kitchen at home. Yep! We took down our kitchen to hit two birds with one stone: mom’s kitchen will finally be remodeled, and Yuna gets to use her old cabinets for her birthday backdrop!

Yuna is such a blessed baby! Jesus used a lot of wonderful people to complete the party. While Yuna was still in my tummy, her Ninang, Kathleen Dela Merced, exchanged ideas with me while I was confined for a month in the hospital before Yuna’s delivery. She organized and trimmed down my cluttered thoughts by sending beautiful inspirations where we can begin with. She was supposed to throw me a “bun in the oven” baby shower, but it never happened since Yuna wanted to come out early. We thought of reserving the oven shaped boxes we had made for Yuna’s future party invitation! A few months before Yuna’s party, Ycoy Sitchon of La Belle Fête Weddings, our former bride, offered to help coordinate Yuna’s party. Another wonderful blessing! The mood board she sent me blended well with the ideas and direction we had for the event. Ycoy took care of the party invites, braved Divisoria just to find themed prizes for the kids, and recommended Chef Regine Mariano who taught the kids to bake luscious chocolate chip cookies! Chef Regine is also the expert behind Yuna’s delicious and eye-catching cake centerpieces, which are Cath Kidston inspired. She also baked Yuna’s pretty kitchen themed cookies which the guests absolutely loved!

Happy Folks and Little J Photography captured each moment and detail perfectly! Looking at their beautiful snaps instantly takes me back to Yuna’s party! What an honor to have worked with these two! In the same way, Lacto Photo didn’t want to miss any moment worth recording. Seeing them carry heavy video cameras to create a beautiful video which Yuna and I can watch with our loved ones, just makes my heart melt!

To our carpenters who lovingly carved each wooden spoon and fork, electricians who carefully installed bulbs on each DIY strainer and grater chandeliers, painters who brought life through the colors they placed on each decor, thank you for making everything possible!

We have so many people to thank for sharing their time, talent, and passion with us! God answered our prayers through the people he sent to help us! Yuna’s birthday is surely one for the books! More than remembering the beautiful outcome of our team work, we will never forget the love put into Yuna’s party!

To the following suppliers, thank you so much! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, you guys are family to us!”

Just a little heads up. Since I’m a sucker for parties with cute themes and gazillion details, I’m going to post more pictures than usual. Enjoy!

This cute apron served as Yuna’s invites, designed and wording by Ycoy of La Belle Fête and wonderfully executed by Adamant Eve.

All the little chefs got their cute little aprons at the entrance. They all look so adorable in them. Love it!

Yuna’s party has 2 areas magically transformed to a very lovely “Retro Kichen” (indoor area) and a super cool “Retro Diner” (outdoor areas).

Every detail, big and small, was meticulously thought of, making Yuna’s party beyond beautiful. It’s as if we’ve traveled back in time! PS: Check out the food servers. They really completed the whole retro vibe of the party.

From different chandeliers made from kitchen utensils, a full blown kitchen complete with cups and plates and what about the tiled flooring at the kiddie area? Oh and wait, let’s not forget the lovely table setups, too. They literally brought their whole kitchen to the venue! I’m simply over the moon! By the way, those wooden spoon and fork used as chandeliers were HAND CARVED by the Passion Cooks team. W-O-W!

I’m floating on cloud 9! Kathleen really knows how to make one mean, butt-kicking dessert tablescape, noh?! Just take a look at Yuna’s mini retro kitchen dessert bar. Together with Sugar Plum Pastries, Regine’s, Kalookies and Les Sucreries, I can see all the adorable and intricate sweet offerings left and right!

Yuna’s beautiful dedication gown was made by Boy Kastner Santos while her birthday dress was actually Kathleen’s daughter Meghan’s first birthday dress. Coolness!

Vendor listing and reference:

Venue: The Mango Farm
Catering and Styling: Passion Cooks
Conceptualization: Passion Cooks and Sparkle + Twinkle
Photography: Happy Folks Studio
Details Photographer: Little J Photography
Video: WeCelebrate / Lacto Photo
Baking Class Chef: Regine Mariano of Regine’s
Tent: Tent World
Host: Astarte Abraham
LED Wall: Mr. Rowell Octavio
Centerpieces Cakes, Cookies & Cupcakes: Regine’s Home Baked Goodies
Dessert Cake Pops, Cookie Pops and Mini Cupcakes: Les Sucreries
Main Birthday Cake: Sugar Plum Pastries
Stage Backdrop Design and Kitchen Utensil Light Fixtures: Sarah Martinez
Buffet Backdrops, Stage Backdrop Styling, Dessert Buffet Set Up: Spark + Twinkle
Dresses of Maja and Yuna: Boy Kastner Santos
Apron Invitation: Ycoy Sitchon in collaboration with Adamant Eve
Table Runners: Adamant Eve
Ice Cream: Pinkerton
Donuts: JCo
Cookies: Kalookies
Macaron (Centerpieces): Empire by Georgia Rocha
Kiddie Chairs: About a Chair
Coordination: La Belle Fete Weddings & Events