Dorothy, my Mother-in-law once told me that her name has always been tied to The Wizard of Oz—it was how people remembered her: “Dorothy, like the movie.” When she shared that, it instantly sparked an idea. I didn’t want to throw an over-the-top themed party, but instead create something that felt timeless, elegant, and personal—with subtle nods to Dorothy and the story behind her name. Since she truly loves her name (and is even talking about getting a ruby slippers tattoo!), it felt like the perfect inspiration. So I leaned into a softer, more refined version of the theme—something classic and beautiful, with just a hint of magic woven in.
Instead of going literal with The Wizard of Oz, I wanted something softer and more elevated—something that felt like Dorothy, without feeling like a costume party.
I kept a lot of the details DIY—from the hand-painted signage to the flower arrangements—which made it feel even more personal.
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The Color Palette & Overall Vision
Soft Blues, White, and Subtle Nods to Dorothy
I leaned into soft blues, whites, and delicate florals to create a classic, backyard dinner feel. The blue gingham was my quiet nod to Dorothy’s dress, while small touches of red roses added just a hint of “ruby slippers” without being too on-the-nose or cheesy.
- Cotton Blue Plaid Ruffle Tablecloth
- Blue Ribbon
I used this dusty blue ribbon on the mason jars, and it added the prettiest finishing touch to the arrangements. - Dusty Blue White Balloon Arch Kit: 👈🏼This is the balloon arch kit I used, and I genuinely loved it. The dusty blue tones were perfect for the look I was going for, and the quality was great compared to other kits I’ve tried. I used it across three different areas for the party, and it held up beautifully the entire time.
🎨 The Hand-Painted Sign (Easier Than It Looks)
I hand-painted the backdrop signs using acrylic paint on craft paper, and it ended up being one of my favorite details of the entire party.
It gave everything a custom, personal feel without adding much cost—and honestly, it doesn’t have to be perfect to look beautiful.
Craft Paper (I used this roll)
Acrylic Paint Set (loved this one because it also came with a variety of brushes)
💡 Easy Trick If You Don’t Want to Freehand
If you’re not comfortable hand-lettering, here’s a simple trick that makes it so much easier:
Use a projector to display your design onto the paper, lightly trace it, and then paint over it.
You still get that hand-painted look, but with way less stress (and way better spacing).
The Balloon Arches
For this party, I used the same balloon arch kit to create three different balloon setups throughout the space. I placed one over the cake table as the main focal point, one in the entryway to welcome guests as they arrived, and one outside as a backdrop for photos. Using the same colors and style in each area helped everything feel cohesive while still making each space feel special.
I used a mix of balloon sizes to give it that organic, high-end look—and added in small sprigs of baby’s breath for a softer, romantic feel. To finish them off, I added small pieces of baby’s breath throughout the arches, which tied everything together and gave them a softer, more elegant feel.
- Dusty Blue White Balloon Arch Kit (I’d definitely use this one again for future parties).
- Balloon Pump
Matching Birthday Shirts
One of the sweetest surprises of the day was the matching shirts. Anita came all the way from Alaska with her family and brought shirts for all of the sisters—and Dorothy too.
We all changed into them before the party, and it ended up being one of those little details that made everything feel extra special. The soft blue color matched the entire party perfectly, and seeing everyone together in coordinating shirts just brought this fun, unified feel to the day.
It also made for some of my favorite photos—simple, meaningful, and full of personality. Sometimes it’s the smallest touches that end up making the biggest impact. Thanks so much for the fun keepsake Anita!
DIY Floral Arrangements
Simple DIY Hydrangea Centerpieces (That Look High-End)
For the flowers, I ordered bulk blooms from Costco (thanks to my sis in law Karly for telling me about it) and scheduled the delivery for the day before the party. They arrived right to our front door, which made everything so easy.
Then I was able to cut and arrange them, and it honestly worked out so nicely. It felt manageable, budget-friendly, and still gave that full, beautiful look across all the tables.
I used mason jars tied with a soft blue ribbon and filled them with a mix of white and blue hydrangeas, baby’s breath, and a few red roses. The red added the perfect little pop of color—just enough to subtly nod to Dorothy’s ruby slippers without feeling overdone.
Tip: As soon as your flowers are delivered, get them into water right away. I recommend trimming the stems at a 45-degree angle before placing them in water—this helps them absorb water better and stay fresh.
Arrange everything the night before the party. Since the flowers are packed tightly in the boxes, giving them time in water allows them to open up and fill out. By the time the party started, they looked so full, fresh, and beautiful. Also store them in a cool space, away from sunlight or heat so that they won’t wilt/droop on you!
Flowers
- Hydrangeas (white and blue)
- Baby’s Breathe
- Red Roses
- White roses
Additional supplies
- mason jars
- blue ribbon
mason jar
Blue Ribbon (for Mason jars)
The Memory Table
A Photo Display Full of Memories
I created a large photo collage filled with moments from throughout her life, along with a framed childhood photo. It ended up being one of the most meaningful parts of the entire party—everyone stopped to look, laugh, and reminisce.
🎂 The Cake (And the Thought Behind It)
Karly—Dorothy’s oldest daughter—was in charge of the cake, and she absolutely knocked it out of the park.
She ordered it from Just American Desserts, and it couldn’t have been more perfect for the theme. It was a white cake with delicate blue polka dots, finished with a red “happy birthday” sign and red candles—a subtle little nod to Dorothy that tied everything together so beautifully.
It wasn’t just pretty either—it was really good. The cake had a variety of flavors, and every slice was just as delicious as it looked.
It ended up being one of those details that felt simple, intentional, and completely special.
A special thank you to Karly for pouring so much thought into the cake—it was such a meaningful and beautiful part of the celebration 🤍
Backyard Dinner Setup
A Long Table Dinner Setup That Feels Special
We set up a long outdoor table to bring everyone together, which made the night feel intentional and connected.
Each place setting was simple, but the repetition of florals and framed photos down the table made it feel special without needing anything over-the-top.
Mason jars
☎️ A Vintage Audio Guestbook (Such a Special Touch)
Instead of a traditional guestbook, we set up a vintage-style phone where guests could leave her voice messages.
It was such a fun and interactive detail—and something she’ll be able to listen back to for years.
🍽️ Why We Chose Catering (And If It Was Worth It)
This was actually the first time we’ve ever used catering for one of our parties—and it was so worth it.
We went with Two Cooks With Love Catering, and they handled everything from setup to cleanup, which made the whole evening feel so much more relaxed.
The menu was simple but really good:
- pork tenderloin
- chicken kebabs
- gorgonzola potatoes
- green beans
- Caesar salad
- dinner rolls
Everything was fresh, flavorful, and easy to serve, which worked perfectly for a larger group.
But honestly, the biggest difference wasn’t just the food—it was the experience.
Not having to cook, keep things warm, or clean up afterward meant we could actually be present, talk with everyone, and enjoy the night.
Thank you to several family members for chipping in so that we could do this! It made such a difference!
💡 Would I Do Catering Again?
For a milestone party like this—100% yes.
If you’re on the fence, I’d say this is one of those things that feels like a splurge, but ends up being completely worth it for the time and stress it saves.
Easy + Elegant Drink Station
For drinks, we kept things simple with a wine and beer bar, which ended up being perfect for this kind of gathering. We offered a few wine options along with beer, and set everything out for guests to help themselves.
To elevate the setup just a bit, we used disposable wine and champagne glasses with a delicate gold rim. They looked surprisingly elegant and tied in beautifully with the overall feel of the party, while still being practical for easy cleanup at the end of the night.
Gold Rimmed Plastic Wine Glasses
Gold Rimmed Plastic Champagne Flutes
The Sweetest Moment of the Night
At one point, everyone piled into the kitchen to sing “Happy Birthday” to Dorothy. It was one of those moments where you could just feel the love in the room.
Dorothy got a little teary-eyed as we sang, surrounded by so many of the people who love her most. The grandkids were front and center, so excited to help her blow out the candles, and it made the whole moment feel even more special.
It was simple, a little crowded, and perfectly imperfect—but those are always the moments that end up meaning the most. You could tell she truly felt celebrated, and that’s what it’s all about.
📝 Hosting Tips I’d Do Again
- Keep the theme subtle—it feels more timeless
- Use repeat elements (like florals + color) to make everything feel cohesive
- Create one or two focal points instead of over-decorating
- Add something interactive (like the audio guestbook)
- Don’t underestimate how meaningful photos can be
🧼 Real-Life Hosting Note
Before any party prep begins, there’s always one step that makes everything else feel easier—cleaning the house. It’s not the glamorous part, but it sets the foundation for everything.
My must have cleaning items:
- Shark 2-in1 Robot Vacuum and mop:
One thing that helps me so much is using my Shark 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop. I’ll send it around the house to vacuum while I’m doing other things—setting up decorations, arranging flowers, or getting food ready. It’s such an easy way to stay productive without feeling like I have to stop and clean every floor myself. - Tineco 2 in 1 vacuum mop:
For more targeted cleaning, I also use my Tineco Wet Dry Vacuum Mop. This is what I grab for spot cleaning or messier areas since it can vacuum and mop at the same time. And if I’m hosting something like this, I almost always finish by mopping the whole house after the robot vacuum has done its thing. It just makes everything feel fresh and ready.
Having both has honestly been my favorite combination—it lets me keep things clean in the background, while still being able to go in and do a deeper clean where it matters most.
🤍 A Night We’ll Always Remember
At the end of the night, it wasn’t just about the decorations or even the food—it was about being together.
Five of Dorothy’s seven siblings were there, all in one place, which doesn’t happen often. The house was full, the table was full, and so was the conversation. It felt less like a party and more like a reunion in the best way.
Everything—from the hand-painted details to the flowers to the long dinner outside—came together to create something that felt warm, meaningful, and completely her.
At the end of the night, no one wanted to leave. Five siblings together again, a house full of laughter, and a birthday that felt more like a reunion. That’s when you know it was something special 🤍
Dorothy has a way of making everyone around her feel loved, and this night was a reflection of that. It was such a joy to celebrate her and create something that felt as meaningful as she is—because she truly deserves to be celebrated in every way.
And if there’s one thing I’d take from this night—it’s that the most memorable parties aren’t about doing more, they’re about creating space for moments like this.
We love you Dorothy!
momlifewithkelsey.com 
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