Cabana Themed Pool Party
August has been a whirlwind! In the first week we managed to throw three big parties, two of which were for our eldest daughter Amaia’s sixteenth. A cabana chic themed pool party with plenty of personalized details, to align with this special milestone. I say it all the time, but I cannot believe how quickly the years have gone. I remember Amaia’s first birthday like it was yesterday. A princess theme, complete with princess cupcakes and iced sugar cookies. And I remember ways that she inspired me to begin creating and sharing here on the blog. Now she’s driving and getting ready to start her junior year of High School. Each year as I post a new birthday celebration, all of the memories come flooding back. A reminder of how blessed I am, for my girls and for the gift to create, ignited by both of them.
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Cabana Themed Pool Party
A cabana striped sweet sixteen birthday party, complete with chic pool themed decorations, matching cookies and desserts.
Turning Sixteen
Sixteen is such a major milestone, so I wanted nothing more than to create the most memorable celebration for our girl, in a very current and age friendly way! Gone are the days of over the top character decorations, or random themes that my girls would dream up, but I’m embracing and welcoming the changes as they come. To say I am a proud mom is an understatement. Amaia is dedicated, driven, hardworking, wise, intelligent, witty and such a loving daughter, sister and friend. As much as I want to hold onto these final years together, I am so thrilled for what the future holds for her, as I know it’ll be a reflection of the incredible human she is.
Cabana Pool Party Decorations
Having a summer birthday is perfect for a cabana or pool themed celebration. Although we don’t have a pool at home, renting a private pool locally was a great alternative for a celebration with friends, while carrying over the decorations into a celebration at home with family. The theme suited her vision for a pink and green, chic pool party perfectly, coming together by using her cabana striped invitations as inspiration.
The Funboy pink striped cabana float was the best decoration to incorporate into the parties, acting as the focal point for both. We used it on our main table, filling with ice for chilling beverages. And at the pool.
The party was not complete without beach balls, and vintage pool floats!
But who knew white beach balls would be so difficult to find?! After research, we managed to locate on E-bay, with the glitter beach ball came from Tilly’s.
Check out for the link to the vintage sage green and pink pool floats in my amazon shop below!
For balloon decor, we strung simple rose gold sweet sixteen letters to hang from our mantle.
Lastly for decor, a simple lettered birthday sign, pink pillar candles, and coconuts and limes for the table centerpiece.
Party flowers
For this celebration, we incorporated blooms into the main table space using simply arranged English roses, pink spray roses and baby’s breath, from Trader Joes.
I especially love Trader Joes spring flowers, but they have quite a few floral options available no matter the season.
Tableware
Scalloped dinner and dessert plates, along with pink and white cabana striped napkins were a lovely fit for the cabana chic theme and celebration.
Food & Beverage Menu
We went with a fresh summer menu, featuring fruits, veg, grilled meats, sauces and salads. We also had a Piรฑa colada station serving homemade piรฑa coladas in our slushy maker. This was such a delicious and festive drink option for party guests to enjoy, along with sparkling waters and rosรฉ for the adults.
Cabana Themed Dessert Menu
Making custom desserts and cakes for my girlโs birthday parties has been one of my favorite tasks over the years.
Between Amaia’s two celebrations I ended up making 3 birthday cakes, but it was great practice since I’m working to refine my piping skills. I also made a set of custom cabana sugar cookies with royal icing to match the theme. Unfortunately I did not have time to make macarons, but did make a batch for our anniversary celebration that I’ll be sharing later in September.
Vintage Birthday Cakes x 3
Amaia’s first cake was an 8″ vintage pink cake with lemon curd, and lemon frosting, topped with cherries. It was light, fluffy and citrusy with bright lemon curd and a dairy free Swiss meringue buttercream. Since I’ve been making more cakes lately, I would love to share the recipe with you here soon.
Mini Vintage Cake
In addition to a full size cake, every year for the girlโs birthdays I also make a mini birthday cake, typically matching the theme of the celebration. One of my favorite traditions and a sweet way to blow out the candles, reserving the large cake for guests. This mini vintage was only about 4″ wide fitting 3 cherries for decoration.
6″ Rapberry Lambeth Cake
Lastly, I made a 6″ version of the lemon cake, but with raspberry jam filling instead. I also made Swiss meringue buttercream with regular butter due to allergies, and realized how much smoother and easier it is to pipe than the dairy free alternative. Either way, it was delicious and enjoyed by my daughter and her friends!
Cabana Pool Party Decorated Sugar Cookies
These custom sugar cookies decorated with matching icing helped to tie in the theme and elevate the party, with a color scheme of pink, green and white, and pops of gold.
You can find my cookie and icing recipe here.
The cookie version of the pool floats matched the pool decor perfectly and also made for such fun favors!
Pool Party Favors
Speaking of favors, we put together a collection of pool essentials for each of my daughter’s friends. Including, cabana towels, sunnies, sunblock, candy and refreshments. Links will be shared below!
After throwing parties and events for over a decade, I’ve grown to learn how much the custom details make a party unique, and I hope you’ve discovered some inspiration here to make your next cabana themed pool party special!
Happy Sweet Sixteen to my girl!
If you enjoyed the elements of today’s post, be sure to share or save to Pinterest! You can also visit the link below to my amazon shop with a list of all supplies used for celebration.
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