This Elaborate Safari First Birthday Party Is Too Decadent For the Jungle

For her baby boy's first birthday bash, Sarah Stage didn't want to repeat a theme that one of her other mom friends had recently done.

After deciding on a luxe safari theme, she enlisted the help of Loriann Serna from Wife of the Party to bring her elaborate vision to life. With an array of DIY projects, this talented event producer transformed a private residence into a sophisticated jungle that wowed both moms and their tots. A variety of animals — from the snakes and hippos to little crickets — were painted gold to fill the space with a playful yet sophisticated feel.

To add to the safari vibe, digital prints of wild animals were adhered to foam boards and used to cover existing artwork in the main dining area. "This was a great way to cover up something not in theme without spending tons of money," Loriann told POPSUGAR. "I also shopped downtown for faux fur scraps and cut them up to make a soft play area for the babies to roll around."

Lush green and wood accents brought the outdoors in and a safari-Jeep-inspired photo booth added a memorable touch that both kiddos and adults could enjoy together. As the ultimate surprise, parents and their little ones were invited to ride on Zoogamo wild animals! "I didn't think that I would be so emotional, but I got teary eyed thinking about how fast this year flew by," Sarah recalled. "The past year or so has been a whirlwind so it was nice to celebrate with all of the people in our lives who have been loving and supportive."