Hellobee

Our family just returned from a trip out to California to celebrate my nephew’s first birthday. Like Baby Pizza, he also had a traditional Korean first birthday celebration, also known as a dol. My sister decided to go with a modern tropical themed party. She hired party decorator, Yoonie, who she collaborated her ideas with to help it all come together. Jenna Norman Photography made sure to capture all the beautiful details of the day. The birthday party was beautiful and everyone had a great time!

Everything about the decor was so sweet.  The welcome table included adorable pictures of my nephew and a doljabi board, which my sister made.

A Korean tradition at a child’s dol is the doljabi. There are a variety of objects placed in front of the child that each represent something. It’s really all just for fun, but it is said that whatever the child chooses determines his future.  The guests had an opportunity to guess prior to the doljabi what they thought my nephew would pick.

The birthday boy was still smiling when they changed him into his traditional Korean outfit before the doljabi.

Nowadays, the dolsang, which is the main decorated table has a more modern look and doesn’t necessarily have the traditional items of rice cakes and fruit that represent prosperity and good fortune. My sister did include the two dol towers which were made with an endless number of beans.

The dessert table was kept simple with traditional Korean rice cakes and pineapple cookies. I loved how pineapples were incorporated throughout the party from the floral arrangements to the cookies. My sister found the adorable fruit templates online and made it into a fruit garland.

My sister was determined to make these pineapple cookies herself and it turned out awesome! She perfected her sugar cookie recipe and used marshmallow fondant and an alphabet cookie stamp to write his name. This was our late night project before the party.

And here’s the sweet birthday boy!  Isn’t he adorable? My sister made his bowtie for the big day.

My sister also included a selfie station with some playful props and an INSTAX mini 8 camera. The instant film cameras are so much fun. Doesn’t it look like Mr. Pizza and I are in high school? (These last two pictures were taken myself and not by Jenna Norman Photography).

I hope you enjoyed seeing the details from the party!