Throwing Your Little Princess a Royal Bash

While not all little girls (or boys!) dream of growing up to be a princess, it’s safe to say Disney did a pretty good job of selling a lot of kiddos on the idea. And thanks to the most recent royal wedding, the princess party theme is going pretty strong. If you have a little one (or, okay, maybe a not-so-little-one) with princess fever, here’s a few ways to throw them a bash with some epically royal proportions.

Make sure they’re dressed to impress

There’s something luxurious about the idea of having a party outfit all picked out and ready… no fuss necessary. So whether it’s a frilly ball gown with all the trimmings, a glittery pantsuit, or (for the princesses out there with an eye for whimsy) a rainbow colored unicorn costume, they’ll love having their royal attire laid out before the event.

You may even want to consider setting up a mini makeover session before the party with a few of your little princess’s closest friends. Hire a local beautician to provide the royal treatment…hair, makeup and nails—or let the VIPs playfully pamper each other instead.

Don’t forget the crown

A princess is never quite a princess without a crown. If you’re thrifty, there’s many instructions online that teach you how to fashion a crown yourself from a variety of different materials, many of which you may have on-hand (i.e. ribbon, wire, glitter, faux flowers), or even printable templates. But if arts and crafts aren’t quite your thing, not to worry! Online retailers such as Etsy offer a variety of beautiful crowns and tiaras (many of which are handmade), and then, of course, there’s always good, ole’ Amazon.

If you really want to take it up a notch, start the party off with a short crowning ceremony and make the presentation of their crown an event in itself.

Did somebody say tea party?

Nothing quite says “royal” like a tea party. Whether you’re 3 or 30, most of us, at some point or another, have thrown our own tea party…with our stuffed animals, our little brothers, or our bored babysitters. A royal bash is the chance to up the tea party game and helps curate the theme. Make sure you have plenty of scones, finger sandwiches—and if you really want to get traditional—jam and clotted cream on hand. Depending on the age of your party goers, you may need to play with the menu a bit to make it more kid friendly. Mini peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, for example, may be a good option for little royals.

It’s also important to note that true royal tea parties eschew tea bags; loose leaf is only for the traditional ceremony, and black tea (typically Darjeeling), is the most common afternoon sipping tea… but we won’t tell if you cheat on this step. You may even consider checking out some local thrift stores to find some vintage tea sets. Add a few floral touches, and you’ve got a tea party fit for a queen.

Invite a few party animals

And when we say party animals, we don’t mean loopy cousin Laura. Llamas, ponies, miniature horses, and “unicorns” are all great options for a royal bash….oh, and carriage rides, don’t forget carriage rides! Look online and you’ll likely find local handlers and animal specialists who provide animals for events and parties. Some even offer themed packages, such as Pretty Pony, Unicorn Encounters, and even Cinderella or Under the Sea Carriage experiences.

If equines don’t quite fit the fancy, there’s a plethora of other animal experiences that work well in a party atmosphere, from rabbit petting and parrot shows to exotic animal displays which will likely include your princess’ favorite furry friend.

Make a cake fit for a princess

The cake is one of the best opportunities to add a little something extra to the event. From Disney-esque cakes built like Cinderella’s castle to sparkly tiers of cupcakes, the world is your oyster when it comes to styling the dessert. Fun fact: most royal weddings feature a fruit cake as the traditional dessert of choice. But Meghan Markle, the most recent princess to join the British royal family, had a lemon elderflower cake covered in buttercream and decorated with flowers for their Windsor Castle reception… just in case you need some fresh ideas!

Take these tips and turn your home into a castle for a dreamy, royal bash your little princess will never forget.