big top baby bash A circus-themed shower is filled with merriment for the mommy-to-be. by kelli bozeman | photography by tom beck
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hen it was time to plan her sister-in-law’s baby shower, Mignon Espy Edwards knew a simple party would never do. “Alexandria is a fun-loving, energetic person,” Mignon says. “So the mission from the beginning was to make this a carefree and exciting shower.” Instead of the usual fare, Mignon quickly decided that what was in order for this playful personality and her guests was an event inspired by one of childhood’s greatest joys—the circus. “I thought a circus theme could bring out the child in all of her guests,” recalls event planner Shanna Lumpkin, who was called upon to help with Alexandria Espy’s special day. “Mignon seemed to immediately love the idea, and everything fell into place.” The tone for the event was set from the start, as guests found ebullient invitations—custom designed by Fresh Ink of Jackson—in their mailboxes. The mock circus tickets promised an afternoon of fun at the Country Club of Jackson, with plenty of treats in store for everyone.
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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Cheerful invitations created by Fresh Ink set the tone for the lively shower. Paper pompons with streams of ribbons hung from the chandelier. Tulip Design Studio created centerpieces of hydrangeas and daisies for each of the tables. Unique paper corsages were showcased in painted frames. Each guest was provided a clear container to fill with confections. Mercury glass votives added a special touch to the table decor. A colorful candy buffet was a focal point of the party. “Alexandria doesn't like surprises,” Mignon says. “She and my brother Chris already knew the sex of the baby—a boy— and she was quite on top of things preparing for the baby. So I wanted to create elements of surprise leading to the shower, from the attendees to the food and the activities. When the big day finally arrived, the excitement in the air was infectious!” As Alexandria and her guests entered the party room, they were greeted by the sights and sounds of a veritable carnival—albeit a very elegant one. A circus performer walked on stilts through the mingling guests and juggled balls and bowling pins. The chandelier in the center of the room was accented with white paper rosettes and streaming ribbons. At guest tables, centerpieces by Tulip Design Studio included both playful paper flowers and fresh white hydrangeas and daisies, tucked inside glass containers wrapped in white pompons and placed inside painted picture frames. In lieu of traditional corsages, small handcrafted paper flowers were prepared for the guest of honor and hostesses. “They were a very special, unique touch that each of the ladies enjoyed,” says Shanna. The menu of old-fashioned goodies was as lively as the décor. Guests enjoyed homemade sliders, buffalo fries served in paper cones, and miniature corn dogs. There were tables filled with gourmet popcorn in red and white boxes, cotton candy, animal-shaped cookies, and Key lime and lemon cupcakes from Gigi’s Cupcakes. Fruit salad was presented in champagne glasses, and guests sipped mock “apple-tinis,” “cotton-candy-
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tinis,” or Cokes and Sprites from glass bottles. Making the event even sweeter was a “Big Top Confections” table teeming with all manner of childhood favorite candies, from Sour Patch Kids and lemon drops to M&M’s and Hot Tamales. The confections were selected in keeping with the theme colors of red, green, and yellow. Guests were invited to fill clear boxes, which had been used to hold their place cards, with sweet treats before departing. “The day was filled with laughter and joyful tears from a nervous and excited mother-to-be and her family and friends,” says Mignon. “Guests played games, applauded circus acts, and gave plenty of baby advice. And, of course, I cannot discount the generosity of the guests—we spent two hours opening gifts as baby Will received a mountain of presents!” Mignon, who lives in New York, says she was delighted by the way the shower was planned even without her presence in Mississippi. “I never had any doubt in my mind that the event would be a success,” she says. And for the honored family, it was a day to be cherished for a lifetime—a new lifetime that began with the birth of Christopher William “Will” Espy II. "Alexandria and my brother Chris will be splendid parents, and I wanted to mark the occasion with a proper fête," says Mignon. "Years from now, when Will is old enough to understand, he will know that his arrival was highly anticipated and was an extraordinary milestone for our family to celebrate." M
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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: A banner invites guests to take home candies from Big Top Confections. A circus performer entertains guests juggling bowling pins. Animal cookies from Campbell's Bakery fit perfectly with the party theme. Cotton candy is displayed for topping mock cotton candy-'tinis. Guests were welcomed by a circus performer on stilts. Homemade sliders and Buffalo fries in paper cones were filling fare. Lemon- and Key lime-flavored cupcakes from Gigi's of Flowood were sweet treats.
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5419 Lakeland Dr. (Across from Vineyard Church) Flowood, MS • 601.919.8747 Toll Free 1.877.919.8747
ADV E NTUR E
J OU R NA L
ENTRY
8
It was WEIRD. My brother , and I don’t hug. But we were having so much fun dressing
up, playing puppet
theater, looking at storybooks, digging fossils, exploring , caves and stuff, we forgot we don’t hug, and we did. MCM is our Destination Imagination.
mschildrensmuseum.com This project is partially funded through a grant from Jackson Convention & Visitors Bureau.
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