Skippin' Ropes and Singin' Songs

  

A Hot Fun Time Was Had

...at this beautiful party in the park themed, Hot Fun In The Summertime! With a children's music class by Stomp and Shout Chicago, families from near and far gathered in the park for some timeless summer fun. 
 

 
Lawn games including  Frisbee tic-tac-toe, jump ropes, and hula hoops were put out to occupy the children while parents enjoyed time to mingle and sample scrumptious treats from local bakeries. 

Check out these other details that helped make this party steamin' with fun!

A lemon-punch with hand squeezed lemonade and fresh picked blueberries helped refresh guests.

Cute and tasty snacks provided by local bakeries

The folks from Stomp and Shout Chicago got families dancing, singing, and having a smashing time!

As soon as the music started, the kids brought the hula-hoops over.  Dancing hoops- who knew?!

Yo-yo favors to keep the fun sizzling

Venue: Chicago Park District
Cookies:A Baker's Tale
Cupcakes: Bespoke Cakery by Libby Godecke
Children's Music: Cassie Slater and Stomp and Shout Chicago
Event Planner:Rachel Gansner Events




To Book Rachel Gansner Events for your next party, click here!

Why You Need To Book An Event Planner For Your Next Party

Too busy, tired, unmotivated to plan the party you've been dreaming of? Check out our top reasons to hire an event planner for your next party!

• After a long day at work, you want to be spending time with your family, not logging more hours behind a computer trying to square away event details. We can take on the work of coordinating with caterers, bakeries, event venues and ordering decorations.
• Want to have the party at home, but fear the mess?  We can help transform your home into the party space you've imagined (think underwater mermaids and whales or 50s sock-hop) and when it's all over, back into the home you enjoy living in. 
•  You've seen plenty of beautiful cakes, but you want one that also tastes good. We know (and have tasted) many cakes from local Chicago bakeries and can help find one that meets the interests of your aesthetics, budget, and taste buds.
• Tired of goody-bags stuffed with sugar and cheap toys?  We can provide ideas that will guarantee smiles but won't break the bank or rot the teeth.  Plus, we'll assemble them for you taking out all the work. 
• You want that DIY feel, but don't actually want to Do It Yourself.  Rachel Gansner Events has made handmade invitations, decorations, and birthday hats!
• Want to get the kids off of their screens and ready to play?  We can provide age-appropriate and entertaining games and activities that will match your theme and excite your guests.
•  It's your party, you should enjoy it!  Let us handle the worry and stress by taking care of all the logistics.  Rachel Gansner Events will work directly with you to assure all the details are just as you imaged.  

 
 To book Rachel Gansner Events for your next party Email Her!

Hot Fun In The Summertime!

Hot Fun In The Summertime! 

 

 

 We are so thrilled to be joining up with Cassie Slater from Stomp and Shout Chicago to throw a FREE Family Fun Summer Celebration! 

Saturday, August 9th

11am-1pm 

Winnemac Park, Chicago, IL 

Bring the whole family out for music, refreshments, 

and some summer fun! 

RGE will be leading fun outdoor activities before Stomp and Shout Chicago takes the stage to rock out with music & games for children ages 2-6. Tasty treats will be provided by a bangin’ neighborhood bakery. Bring your family and let's party!!
Reserve Your Spot Here!

 

 

 

DIY personal touches to a Hot Air Balloon Party

My husband and I knew Hot Air Balloons would make the perfect theme to fit our Forest Preserve venue and create the same whimsical feel that we have experienced since our son, Georgie, joined our lives. 

The birthday boy wasn't the only one having fun at this soaring 1st birthday celebration. It was a themed party with DIY touches, designed to both entertain the children and allow the parents an opportunity to celebrate making it through Year 1.  Here are some of the touches that were most fun to create.

Throughout the picnic groove, I wanted to provide little hands with fun treats and activities.  Here, I hand stitched felted hot air balloons that dangled from picnic tables.  Balloons and baskets were cut out of felt sheets.  They were then stuffed with batting and embroidered with unique designs that matched the parties color theme.  

During the party, babies and toddlers enjoyed grabbing, hitting, and exploring the little balloons.  A sign reading "Please take home with you to remember the fun we had together!" was displayed with the balloons to encourage Georgie's friends to keep a little trinket as their own.

To turn paper lanterns into hot air balloons, I first had to get them the right color.  I let them soak in a tub of warm water and added drops of dye until the desired hue of pink and blue were achieve.  I had a couple extra little hands help me swirl around the dye to make sure the lanterns were colored evenly.  

After the lanterns were dry, I hung strawberry cartons that acted as baskets.  Finally, little yellow flags were draped over the top for festive decor. 

Making my son's birthday hat was simply indulging in my own creative desires.  The fact that he wore the hat long enough for me to capture a handful of pictures was an added bonus.  
The hat was constructed with felted sheets that matched the parties colors.  I hand stitched the felt together with a salmon colored embroidery floss.  I combined red, yellow, and orange strands of wool (left over from making the bouquet for my wedding) to felt a pom pom topper.  Ribbon with a chevron patterns was sewn in to help tie the hat onto Georige's bouncy head, and ta-da! the birthday hat was ready!

To have Rachel help design your next party, email her!

A Soaring First Birthday-- Hot Air Balloons for all!

The birthday boy wasn't the only one having fun at this soaring 1st birthday celebration.  It was a themed party designed to both entertain the children and allow the parents an opportunity to celebrate making it through Year 1.  Family and friends gathered in the park on a beautiful spring day to join in the merriment.

Along with a variety of canned craft beers (complying with the park's no glass laws)  guests sipped beverages out of plastic mason jars that doubled as party favors. 
Organic fruits and veggies, along with cheese platters were placed out for nibblers to enjoy. For dessert cookies, brownies, macaroons, and a scrumptious cake from Bennison's Bakery, in Evanston, IL were served.  

Little baskets were placed out at toddler height and filled with blueberries and pita wedges to meet the munching needs of little hands.  

Younger guests were also provided with other surprises.  Felted hot air balloons dangling from the picnic tables (that they could take home), a hot air balloon basket to climb in and smile for the camera, a picnic blanket equipped with books and balls, and a kiddy pool/ball pit assured children of all ages have fun.










Event Design and Coordination: Rachel Gansner Events
Venue: LaBagh Woods, Forest Preserve, Chicago, IL
Cake: Bennison's Bakery





To book Rachel Gansner Events to design your party email rachelgansner@gmail.com

Little Diva's Fabulous First Birthday

Hina and her family wanted to wow guests as they celebrated her daughter's first birthday in style.  She came to me with a clear theme of Fabulous Fashionista in Paris.  However, after selecting a venue large enough to fit all their guests, she was left with the challenge of transforming the hotel ballroom into the Parisian celebration she had been dreaming of.  With the help of Eiffel Tower center pieces, pink and white balloons and lanterns lining the ceilings, a fashion clad cake by Two Moms In A Kitchen, and a heavy dash of pink, this party was anything but bland. 

Children were entertained by a balloon artist and magician, while the adults enjoyed a delicious Indian dinner catered by Usmania. 

Venue: Double Tree, Skokie, IL
Catering: Usmania
Cake: Two Moms in A Kitchen
Event Design and Style: Rachel Gansner Events

Summer Celebrations

Summer is coming! And I'm getting excited for birthday parties, graduation celebrations, bridal showers, and more!  Here are some great themes for outdoor parties! 
(For more ideas check out my Pinterest page www.pinterest.com/punchparties)




A baseball birthday- Get the kids outside and celebrate with America's favorite pastime, including peanuts, Cracker Jacks, and a game of catch!

Image found on triedandtrueblog.com

 Up, Up, and Away-Party in style with this classic yet adorable theme.  Plan for photo shoots as little ones gravitate towards the balloons! Snacks can be stored in baskets.  Balloons can be decorated.  The whole family can enjoy this whimsical theme for a party.

Image from http://www.simplyrealmoms.com

Pool-less Pool Party- You don't need a pool to throw a rockin' pool party.  Just fill your back yard with beach balls, pick up a couple kiddy pools, and don't forget the popsicles! 

EliseMartinezDesign on Etsy

Bridal Shower Activities, That Aren't Lame-Showers including the bride and groom are all the trend these days.  Try including some entertainment that won't bore the guests, and might even give the happy couple a chuckle.