Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles . . . The Princess Bride is my favorite childhood movie. And unlike all the other movies from my childhood, I never had to go diving for the remote in horror as I tried to share it with my little kids (I’m looking at YOU Ghostbusters).
So imagine my delight when Betty announced that she wanted a Princess Bride birthday party! And then my dismay when she added that she’d like it to be a sleepover. But . . . a 10th birthday is a big deal, and her friends are really sweet girls, and my defenses were down because — Princess Bride! So I said yes.
Disclaimer: It has been brought to my attention that I do not, as I previously believed, throw “simple” birthday parties. They seem simple to me, because I enjoy doing this sort of thing. So, before you scroll down, just keep in mind that I liked doing this, that it’s mostly homemade, that some of it is wonky and I’m okay with that, that we planned, prepped, and partied as a family, and that we had fun on each of those steps.
I’m sure you can make all that tissue paper stuff and the flag banner pretty easily at home, but we didn’t. We got all the decorations at Party City. The flowers are from the yard. Betty was especially excited about the goblets. Jack did the calligraphy for her. Gus mostly just stood around looking pleased with himself, as he is wont to do.
I printed the posters using Publisher. But if I ever get to redecorate a kids’ room, I really want to buy this one:
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| from LittleOwlDesign |
The other was more interactive:
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| by Nathan W Pyle |
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| Frankie didn’t get any |
Oh my goodness. That party looks epically awesome. Goblets! I would have killed for some goblets.
And as I've said before, if that is your simple, I would LOVE to see your version of complicated. Maybe we'll see that at Betty's wedding in a decade or so? 🙂 Now that I think about it, a "Princess Bride" themed wedding reception would be pretty amazing. Shoulda done that…
Your kids will truly look back on all of your parties with fond, fond memories, and that is the best part!
Happy birthday Betty, ten is an awesome year! Looks like you had a great party!
That cake and those goblets–awesome! What a fabulous theme for a party! Then again… our wedding song was "Storybook Love" from the Princess Bride. My husband gave me the actual movie script as a gift once. So I'm partial… can't wait to show your pics to my daughter! Thank you for sharing!
I absolutely love this!! My birthday is in Lent, so I usually don't throw a party (except for that one glorious year my birthday landed on a Sunday – Yes, Lenten Loophole time). I'm pondering a half birthday party for myself now thanks to this (My mother is going to keeeeel me). Who says you can ever get too old for a theme party? Not me. Happy birthday to your beautiful girl!
~ Country Girl's Daybook, recently posted: Happy blogaversary to me! → http://bit.ly/1bhRMGQ
Awesome party! That movie is my favirite of all time. I am going to have to keep this in mind for a future party. Maybe my 40th, which is coming up soon…ohhh, i could wear my wedding dress if i can manage to not be pregnant. Ahhhhhh! So excited. Betty is one blessed little lady. Happy 10th birthday!
That is a simply beautiful table and any "princess Bride" would be delighted to have her birthday there. The cake is once again amazing and would thrill any bride I know except maybe Aunt Kara who had pumpkin. Enjoyed the photos since we missed this lovely party. Happy Birthday Betty! Nanacamille
I love the party decorations. I only have boys (all grown now) so I am holding out for granddaughters. Off topic question but what is your husband's occupation?
Thanks!
My husband is in health care management.
Thanks for answering. Just curious when I saw some pics of him in a military uniform.
He was an artillery officer in the Marine Corps when we met and married, but got out shortly thereafter and went to business school.
Very, very cool! We love this movie, too–I hope one of my girls will want a party like this 🙂
This is amazing! And you are one brave mamma! I'm not sure what I would do with one little girl in my house let alone ten on the living room floor 🙂
I want to have a birthday party like that now, and I'm 34!! Hands down, it's my favorite movie ever. I haven't even shown it to my kids yet (the scene with the "perfect breasts" comment is making me hesitant to show it to my group of boys) but I think they are old enough now, or at least young enough to not get it 😉
Aww, really? I have a huge problem with all the secret double entendres in kids movies. Have you seen Planes? There is a vasectomy joke. I kid you not. But people seem to think it's fine because it'll go over kids heads. I HATE that. I always want to stop the movie and immediately explain it to my kids so they'll know that this movie is secretly trying to corrupt them. But, usually, I restrain myself.
That perfect breasts comment doesn't bother me because it's straight forward. It sounds Shakespearean to me. Plus it's used as a plural, There is a shortage of perfect breasts. As in she has A perfect breast, one of only a few, which seems less offensive.
Omigoodness what a wonderful party! I wish I was friends with Betty and could have come! I just love Betty…I mean…just from her pictures I know she must be awesome. So happy birthday Betty!
I so loved the cake, you have such great skills! And those pink goblets…I want to use those everyday. And the pyjamas…love it all….
I love your birthday party posts! Is it that you are super cool or that LA is super cool or both? Me and all my friends in matching pj's is an unfulfilled dream of mine. We had many a Princess Bride sleepover but never with such excellent decor. Have you read the book by William Goldman with your kids yet? I read it in high school and it was just about the most enjoyable read I can remember from my childhood. I don't remember enough to know about age appropriateness however.
I *have* read the book, and I like it. But I actually think I like the movie better, which is pretty rare! Betty would love to read it, but she'll have to wait a bit. Remember all the author talking to you parts? They are pretty snarky and include "adult situations" that my kids wouldn't really understand, like bickering spouses, and parenting conflicts, and temptations to adultery in a hotel pool.
Hmmm. Must have skimmed over those bits. Good to know.
any other party theme would have been inconceivable! Love it! Happy birthday sweet girl.
This is so cool! I may be a decorator for a Princess Bride themed night soon, could I possibly use your poster design? It is so great!
Thanks, but I didn't design it. If you click on the link underneath, it will take you to where I found it. Good luck with your party!
Oh, wow! This has given me many ideas for my dd's 10th. You are very creative, thanks for sharing!