Tag Archives: photo booth

A Magical Evening – Harry Potter Party Overview

by

photo

Although there were no actual spells or enchantments cast nor flying owls soaring around at my birthday party, that is not to say there was no magic created that night.  My Harry Potter birthday party was a complete success, and despite all the hours and stress put into the project, I am incredibly pleased with how it all turned out and would do it all over again, if I had the choice.  I also cannot thank my friends and family enough for helping me out, especially after falling ill two weeks before and falling behind on decorating.

Because there was so much put into this party, I will write several more detailed posts on it within the next few weeks, including how I made the decorations and what activities were held at the party.  But for now, this post will show you an overview of what my party was like.  Enjoy!!

As written on the invitation, the party guests were to follow the spiders to the grand entrance to Hogwarts.  Here, they can also park their broomsticks as well as meet Aragog, Hagrid’s giant pet arachnid.

1779405_10102397166985001_587532616_nP1030049

P1030043

photo-12photo-1

Once they entered Hogwarts, they were greeted with appetizers and got to embark on a scavenger hunt looking for Voldemort’s Horcruxes.

IMAG0875

photo-18 photo-14

P1030012

Hogwarts décor would not be complete without some candles and the Golden Snitch.  That Snitch was actually handmade by me! =)

P1030041 P1030039

Beware of Moaning Myrtle and the thriving basilisk in the bathroom!  The Chamber of Secrets has been opened.  Enemies of the heir, beware…

P1030010 P1030053 P1030030

Arguably, the best feature of the party was the photo booth.  I recreated the scene where Harry Potter gets flooded with Hogwarts acceptance letters at the Dursley house and used it as the backdrop for photos.  I am still amazed that two of my friends and I were able to make this look astounding.  I also made my own photo booth props to play with and placed them on the wizard’s chess table.

photo-7

10002607_10102397167124721_1226238621_n photo-3

photo-23

Dinner by candlelight and starlight!  We ate underneath the Bewitched Ceiling.  As you can see in the picture below, each person received a personalized scroll that designated who was which professor.

1974685_10102397179110701_902396321_n

IMG_2642 IMG_5488

Dinner is served!  Marinated chicken, short ribs, and lemony potatoes… a hearty meal fit for Hogwarts.

photo-32

No Hogwarts dinner is complete without dessert.  Guests caught their very own edible Snitch (Ferrero Rocher chocolates) and were served butterbeer (apple cider floats).

P1020981

photo-53 photo-24

Me and the other birthday girl, who collaborated with me on this birthday party, also received our very own surprise with a chocolate banana meringue birthday cake and presents.  I got the last Harry Potter book to complete my set =D

photo-49 photo-44

photo-48 photo-45

After dinner, my friends got a chance to win the House Cup by playing a trivia game.  Admittedly, those questions I came up with were very hard!

P1030036

IMAG0883

Although not everyone was a winner that night, every guest got to go home with a goodie bag, which included a quill pen, a chocolate dipped pretzel wand, Bertie Bott’s Every Flavored Beans (really just regular Jelly Bellys.. my sister told me how traumatized she was after someone fed her the vomit flavored one), and homemade Chocolate Frogs with a peanut butter filling inside.

photo-20

The night was indeed magical, and the best party I’ve thrown thus far.  It just goes to show that turning 28 does not mean you have to deny the kid inside.

Please check back all this month for more detailed posts on my Harry Potter party!

//