One-der away & going the Distance for Atharv's 1st Birthday

Quarantined at home so up, up and away with Virtual Planning. From California to Boston. Even being thousands of miles apart, It took a village thru the power of a feature online and the tool of Instagram to go the distance to plan Atharv's social distancing/ Quarantine birthday. I just had to help Mom Keerthika save her sons first birthday especially when she told me that originally the birthday celebration was supposed to take place in India. With Lockdown in place and no travelling happening, This task was definitely one for the books and one of my favorites to date. Keerthika, the mom of Atharv emailed me after she saw my daughters quarantine birthday featured on Catch my party. https://www.catchmyparty.com/parties/niyas-quarantine-pixar-birthday-party
She asked if I could give her some insight and help. After hoping on a video call and wanted to reassure her she understood I was in California and had no experience yet in Boston, she was all for it. So I promised her that I would get it done. With the birthday a little over 2 weeks away I had to get on it immediately. It was a challenge to scout and recruit vendors especially ones who would even trust that this was really happening. I mean what would you do if someone from out of state told you she had a client who could not celebrate in India and now is going to do a quarantine birthday at home? Alot of vendors at the time were not comfortable going but this QUARANTEAM took every precaution and it was epic.
We needed a photographer, Cake, Decor and some planning pixie dust.
First person I reached out to was a photographer someone who needed to capture the most important things, the details, the memories and the zoom taking place with the family from India. After coming up with a way to approach vendors in Boston even though I was in California Leah responded and said this: On May 7th 6:41 pm I received a text from Cynthia, at first I was skeptical considering she was in California and found me off Instagram but fortunately my optimistic and curious personality encouraged me to pursue this opportunity. Little did I know that Cynthia would help plan one of the coolest quarantine events, and I was going to be part of it. Even during a global pandemic I am thankful for Cynthia, Keerthika, Funke and Sandra for being a great team to work with. Cynthia says were forever friends and hope to work again in the future.
The next vendor that needed securing was the Cake and sweets. That was tricky considering the travel and who was even willing to deliver and or do a cake considering the social distancing regulations, it took a whole day but I narrowed down to Funke from Sweet Inc Desserts and so fortunate she was willing to hop on a video chat with Keerthika and I. This is what Funke said : When Cynthia first Sent the DM she was was from California I messaged her to make sure she knew I was in MA She was getting team together for a event in 2 weeks. I had a number of events around that date but there was no way I was going to pass this up.She pulled it off we pulled it off This opened a door to a new opportunity each vendor moved quickly and thru video calls and texts even states apart I am so glad to have been part of making this celebration special for the client in spite of current situation of our country we were able to really connect in spite of being physically separated and glad Cynthia messaged me, I have a whole new group of friendors !
After locking those two in Keerthika and I were so excited it was almost done but after our treacherous search for balloon decor I guess it was a bit of a challenge to direct us the right direction and we were not disappointed by Sandra from Boston Balloons work of art. She is one busy woman and the time we did get with her she made it clear she meant business and not to worry after seeing her incredible design from our inspiration it was better than what we imagined The basket for the Hot air Balloon installation was nothing I had ever seen ! The clouds were sooo fluffy looking and looked great in front of the sky wall. She really did an amazing job.
The final Touches included paper planes, a One sign and paper hot air balloons to create a 3D effect. With neighbors waiting to wish the birthday boy well and a zoom celebration with family and friends in India Mom of the birthday boy was elated and overcome with emotion a few words condensed were this :
Like every mother I wanted to celebrate my son's first birthday so that he has memories to cherish. The hope to travel to India to meet his grandma and celebrate back home where I grew up did not happen due to the pandemic emerging. My quest began when everything was at a standstill. The challenge how to celebrate when you are quarantined and the planning quest had me stumble upon Cynthia's Daughters birthday. The creativity of this mom and entrepreneur struck me. She amazed me not anticipating any reply from her I took a chance to ask if she could help. Surprised after a quick response and a video call we spoke about my theme and she took it to another level. Celebrating my sons birthday on memorial day was perfection. The way this all ended up happening still awes me and somehow feel that the universe conspired to make all of this possible. Funke, Sandra, Leah and Cynthia really pulled it thru.
In the end of all this social distancing, quarantine and lock down we really saw how people of all backgrounds could come together for what we need now, Celebrating.
A bit of positive in the midst of chaos and it really took a village to pull this off.
Atharv was all smiles, the family, friends and neighbors celebrated him from a distance or on Zoom as he ONE-Dered away turning 1. One day he will look back at this and see that even a lockdown could not stop his mom from saving his day.

• Desserts

  To go Cupcakes packaged safely with precaution into white boxes

• Cynthia Najares @foralltimeevents

  Event Planner

  Planned entire event via instagram, video calls, texts and phone calls. First Virtual planning and out of state event in Boston from California.
  www.foralltimeevents.com

• Funke @sweetincdesserts

  Cake designer

  She Created the cute one-der away cake along with packaged cupcakes with hot air balloons to go

  www.sweetincbakeshoppe.com

• Sandra @balloonjoyboston

  Balloon Artist

  Created a one of a kind hot air balloon basket along with clouds
  www.balloonjoyboston.com

• Leah @leahjayneproductions

  Photographer

  Captured the special day

  www.leahjayneproductions.com