Looking for AHR decor inspiration

[lyrebard]

So our wedding in Mexico was amazing...and about as graceful and classic as we get. But we still have two more parties to plan -- one for family and friends in PA and one for family and friends in CA. (Believe it or not, I think the cumulative expense of doing this will still be less than had we invited all 400 of them to the wedding! ah, big families. lol).

But since we already did the orchids/glass/candles/lanterns elegant thing, we thought we'd make the parties at home a bit more fun and off kilter. We discovered that the local AAA baseball park in PA has a party box that they rent out, so we'll be having our party there, starting an hour or two before the game itself. We were thinking it might be fun to rent a popcorn cart , a dog roller, maybe even sno cones and nachos (ballpark food!).

But then here's my question: How on earth do we go about decorating? (full-on camp with strings of cotton candy bags and vases full of giant pixie stix? something slightly more classy?)

And another question: Is there anything we can give people (favors?) that would go along with the theme without being too cheap-looking or cheesy?

I've got decorator's block -- too much time spent thinking about votives and capiz shells and flowers. Any and all ideas welcome! Please??

[~Kate~]

Sounds like a fun AHR, Lauren!! If we end up having one (still on the fence), then it will be a very casual and fun party too. I’m a big fan of the candy buffet…here are a couple threads on this (one specific to Mexican candy!)

Candy Bar / Buffet - Authentic Mexican Candy

Candy Buffet

My Candy Buffet - Pictures

This thread by Morgan talked about having a more “party” AHR than a formal event....my fave idea from this thread was the taco bar! Now that Morgan’s AHR is a-go, I’m sure we’ll soon see pics and hopefully these would give you some ideas too. Fun ideas for an AHR that's more of a party than a reception

Oriental trading has lots of fun ideas for decor and favors. Check out their "fiesta" section.

Other than that, I’m not much help :) Let us know how it goes!!

[lyrebard]

Thanks, Kate! Mmmm, a taco bar. I wanna go to that party. =)

Thing is, since it's baseball, we were thinking to capitalize on that theme. I have since had one (and only one) brainstorm:

Box of Cracker Jack and bag of peanuts in the shell, tied together with a little note that says, "We go together like peanuts and Cracker Jack."

What do you think?

[~Kate~]

Oh, that's really cute!!

Hmm...baseball theme party....OTC has baseball maracas - where the maraca is painted and shaped like a baseball. And I think they have a baseball shaped pinata....

Are you sending invites? You could make those look like a baseball ticket. Just alter the boarding pass style or I've seen something similar on ebay.

I still think the candy buffet could work - you could have those baseball gumballs, licorice, and maybe some gourmet popcorn (Dale and Thomas style).

Maybe you could have vintage style baseball cards and pennants on tables? And if you are naming tables, you could have baseball sayings or team names....

This might not work too well, but instead of a guest book, you could have everyone sign a baseball bat and mitt?

For favours, you could have baseballs that you've written your names and wedding date on.

[foxytv]

Cute, fun idea!!! I like the baseball favors with your names and wedding dates on them!
We did a cupcake tower at our AHR, with starfish on top (made from candy molds). You could do something like that with the baseball theme as well.

And of course just keep it as a ballpark food theme w/ hot dogs and hamburgers but with a gourmet toppings bar (similar to the taco bar theme).

Can't wait to see this one!!!!!

[lyrebard]

Baseball cupcakes! Gourmet toppings bar! I love it! And a baseball-themed candy bar...people are going to walk away 5 lbs heavier than they were when they came in. Heh... I'm loving this!

[TheTomato]

I love the stringed cotton candy decorations! I remember seeing foam fingers at Michaels that you can decorate yourself... those could be fun. I am trying to think of ways to incorporate pictures from the wedding into my AHR decorations... maybe you could either "frame" them out of felt in pennant shapes or print them from the computer on T-shirt transfer paper and iron them on (does felt melt). Koozies might be good favors for a ballgame and you can't go wrong with crackerjacks.

[SoontobeMrsE]

Ilike the crackerjacks with your logo or name on the boxes? Bottled water with your names on the labels...what about for your burgers do the smaller burgers with various toppings. We have done several gourmet burger bars and used the cocktail rolls from Sams Club. Do the same with hot dogs. Use great buns with various toppings.

What a fun party!

[lyrebard]

I'm beginning to like the idea of a candy bar: chocolate baseballs, big league chew (!!)... But I'm having problems finding cotton candy sold anywhere other than in huge tubs. Without renting a cotton candy machine, does anyone have ideas for how to do this?

[foxytv]

Try these sites:

Cotton Candy Products - Cotton Candy - Pre-Packaged Cotton Candy - How to Make Cotton Candy

Pre-packaged Cotton Candy

Cotton Candy Fluffy Stuff from Groovy Candies, Pre Packaged Cotton Candy and More Wholesale Candy