I have always loved “Dia de los Muertos” (Day of the Dead) celebrations. If you aren’t familiar with the Mexican holiday, it is celebration that starts on November 1st to remember loved ones that have passed and are no longer with us. In addition to the wonderful traditions and meaning behind the holiday, I have always loved the bright colors, sugar skulls and flowers traditionally displayed during the elaborate festivities. With the upcoming holiday and movie release of “The Book of Life” I was inspired to create a Day of the Dead celebration for the fall issue of Twinkle Twinkle Little Party Magazine.
Day of the Dead Party Details
Decor
To set the stage, I started with the backdrop. I purchased a beautiful wrought iron and wood wall decor piece at Shinoda Design Center and decided I would make my own “stained glass window” by adhering tissue paper to the back of it. It was a tedious and very frustrating DIY project, but very much worth every bit of frustration. I could not be more please with the results! I hung glitter fabric and paper fans on the wall and printed a large sugar skull for the middle of my “window”. I added a bright flower headband and lace fabric to my Halloween skeleton and added paper fans and traditional Mexican paper flowers.
Treat Table
I knew I wanted Sugar Skulls throughout the party so I collaborated with some of the best treat makers and bakers in the business to create a large variety of Sugar Skull confections. The 2 tiered cake topped with a fondant sugar skull made by Kimas Konfections created the perfect centerpiece. Alongside I displayed the hand dipped chocolate covered oreos with top hats and golden skulls from Bella Bakery and Bowtique and an array of handmade sugar cookies from Creating Awesomnessity. I topped the cupcakes with fondant cupcake toppers also from Kimas Konfections. To add height to the table, I placed the Chamoy Candybobs and handdrawn Sugar Skull Candybobs in large flower balls on top of two candle holders. I placed the bright glitter candy apples from Autumn Lynns Chocolate Sins in glitter cupcake wrappers from Bella Cupcake Couture alongside bright flowers in a hand painted mason jar from Always the Occasion. I filled treat boxes and skull buckets from Oriental Trading Company with candy and popcorn along with the handmade sugar skull cake pops also from Autumn.
Paper Crafting
Using my Sizzix Big Shot, I embellished party favor and popcorn boxes from Oriental Trading Company (see tutorial here) and created the paper cupcake and candy apple toppers. I also made the papel picado banner and coordinating placemats
Photo Shoot
My youngest son loves to dress up and he is super excited about “The Book of Life” movie releasing in October, so naturally he loved getting into character for the photo shoot. After I painted his face, added a beautifully handcrafted sombrero and flower clip to his $3 suit (which I found at Goodwill for him to wear over his older brother’s old skeleton costume from several Halloweens ago), he was transformed!
I had a blast styling and photographing this party and am honored to have worked on it with such wonderfully talented ladies!
Thank you for visiting and GOD BLESS!
Disclosure:
I received some products from Oriental Trading included in this post, however all opinions are my own.
Vendor Credits:
Michelle’s Party Plan-It – Party Styling, photography, paper stationery and paper crafting
Autumn Lynn’s Chocolate Sins – sugar skull cake pops & glitter candy apples
Creating Awesomenessity – sugar skull cookies
Kima’s Konfections – Cake & fondant cupcake toppers
Bella’s Bakery & Bowtique – Chocolate Covered Oreos
Sweets From Heaven, Outlets of Orange – Candybobs and Chamoy Candybobs
Always the Occasion – Sugar Skull Mason Jars
Painting Paris Pink – Glitzy sticks
Bella Cupcake Couture – Glitter cupcake wrappers
Oriental Trading Company – Hanging fans, Paper Fans, Skull buckets, Paper mask photo props, Dia De Los Muertos figurines, Fiesta flower hair clips, skull easter eggs, purple favor boxes, black popcorn boxes
Maison du Bonbon – Gold Mini Plates
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23 comments
Absolutely stunning party and I love the concept behind the holiday of honoring the loved ones we have lost. Phenomenal party from a PHENOMENAL Stylist!
Thank you so much Susan! 🙂
Absolutely adore everything about this party! Just stunning!
Thank you Kristen! 🙂
Michelle, you are beyond Amazing! This is a completely stunning party, gorgeous!
Can I just say…..You had me at hello =)
Oh Karen, thank you so much for the kind words and support! xoxo
This is a way awesome and creative idea, you didn’t skimp on any detail! Turned out awesome!
Thank you Katie!
This is simply amazing! I love that you explained the concept behind this. My son is so excited to see this movie! This party is such a great compliment to it. I know I will see this party everywhere. Wonderful!!!
Thank you Monique!
I love this party! All those colors are so pretty against the black. Thank you for linking up to Party Time and we hope to see you again next week!
Thank you Jacqui!
Love the party and all the beautiful colors used. Great Job!
Thank you!
Kudos and high five this is awesome!
Thank you Sandra!
I’m such a fan of your parties! They are amazing! Love all the glitter that you incorporated and those vibrant colors are fabulous!
Thank you so much Glenda! 🙂
Wow! This is just an incredible party! LOVE it! The child looks great and I love all of your sparkles!
Thank you so much Michelle!
AMAZING party Michelle!! My favorite detail was your “stained glass window” absolutely beautiful
Where did you find the cute glitter cupcake toppers?
Hi! I made them. 🙂