We are so excited to share this post with you today! Partly because some of the details are just too cute we couldn’t wait to show you, but also we hope it can be helpful if you’re trying to plan a virtual party.
Let’s start with the fun stuff!
Party details
*Amanda here* My biggest concern was wanting to still make it feel special for the guests and for Isabelle. Since so much of it wouldn’t be tangible, I decided to send real invites in the mail. I like craft projects so this was fun for me, but there are also easy and inexpensive options if you don’t want to DIY, but like the idea of sending something out.
The other thing I really wanted to do was send some kind of favor. I also figured that I wasn’t going to be spending money to feed everyone or do lots of decorations, so it made sense to reallocate that to favors! I ended up working with Funky Cold Co. who makes the CUTEST custom cookies and they were also so tasty. They did an amazing job making the design match the invites! The cookies came individually wrapped and then I put them in boxes (with a little bubble wrap). The week before the party, out of state ones got mailed, some I delivered and some were picked up.
Another thing we did to make it more personal was to offer people the option to come by the day before or the morning of the party to drop off a gift (and possibly pick up their favor) so they could say hi and see Isabelle in person. It feels like it’s been so long since seeing most of our friends, it was so nice to see people, even for a few minutes!
We had a very small gathering with my mom and two bridesmaids, which was probably the best/safest option for doing anything in person. Especially considering we had wanted it to be in the garden, but #seattleweather so we had to be inside. We did make fun garden party afternoon tea food (crumpets! scones! tiny sandwiches!) and got dressed up for the first time in… months? Overall so glad it worked out and while it wasn’t what we originally imagined, it turned out pretty well.
What we would change
I think the trickiest part that we didn’t totally anticipate is how much focus would be on Isabelle. Sure, the party is about her, but in a regular setting people are mingling, chatting with her or each other and everyone is taking breaks to eat. Isabelle ended up being the sole ‘entertainment’, if you will, and therefore kind of keeping the conversation going the whole time. I felt bad she hardly took a bite of her food until it was over!
Even without planned games, it probably lasted about 2 hours with everyone doing intros, talking about the wedding, opening gifts, chatting. So I’m not really sure we needed organized games etc. However, if we had come up with a game, especially one that could involve a breakout session, it might have been easier for Isabelle to take a break. I think the better way to do it would maybe be to schedule the zoom call with everyone for just a portion of the time or do individual zoom calls with guests at specific times, but this all depends on how many people you’re having in person (outside!) as well as virtually. One of the best parts was that any out of town guests who wouldn’t normally make it were able to join, so there is definitely an upside to this new ‘tradition’!