A berry sweet birthday celebration

The assignment:

a sweet strawberry-themed birthday celebration.

The goal:

minimize the use of red (the color of strawberries) and instead feature multiple shades of pink in the decor.

Tricks to pulling off this look:

1. Even though red is minimized, it’s important to still use it

2. Incorporate lots of variation into the dessert spread

3. Avoid the use of “loud” greens

Minimizing red, maximizing pink

Given that red is the color of strawberries, it’s important to incorporate it into the decor, but too much can give Christmas vibes or make the decor too harsh.  Multiple shades of pink soften the look and add a light, delicate feel.  Many shades of pink appear in the balloons, cakes, macarons, cookies, and florals to add dimension to the overall experience.

Incorporating variation into the dessert spread

This table was less about symmetry and all about variation.  Each dessert sits at a different height and somehow incorporates “strawberry” into the theme. The cakes feature two different shades of pink (each with a different ribbon), while the center cake is a strawberry shortcake displaying actual strawberries, pink writing, and assorted pink florals.  The cookies and macarons (strawberry filling, of course) incorporate even more shades of pink into the spread, while the chocolate on the dipped strawberries compliments the wooden cake stands. Together with the florals, all of these elements make for a tablescape that is fun to look at.

Avoiding “loud” greens, if possible

Prepackaged strawberry party decor often includes lime or grass green with red, when actual strawberry leaves are nowhere near these colors. Choosing a muted green tone as an accent color keeps the look softer and calmer and adds an overall elegance. It’s not always possible to avoid certain tones, but minimizing a certain color can definitely add to the look.