1st birthday girl ideas tend to begin with the wording rather than the colour. Once you know whether she is Our Little Sunshine or a Wild One, the cake, the balloons and the table follow on their own.
Each invitation below carries one theme, and each has matching thank you cards and party pieces in the same design.
Our Little Sunshine Theme
Little Sunshine Sun Yellow Gingham
For a spring or summer party held outdoors, where the guest list runs to grandparents, aunts and a handful of babies. The yellow reads warm on a garden table rather than sugary, so it suits a lunch or an afternoon rather than an evening.
Shop this invitation →Coquette Theme
Isn’t She Onederful Pink Bow Coquette
For the mother who has already pinned the bow cake and the ribbon backdrop. Blush and cream throughout, which is easier to match at a venue than a bright pink, and it photographs well on a dessert table.
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Little Miss Pink Bow Balloon
The quieter bow option, for a first birthday tea or a Sunday lunch with a dozen guests. Gold and blush read as grown up enough that older relatives will not feel they have walked into a toddler party.
Shop this invitation →She’s a Wild One
Wild One Daisy Blush Pink Floral
For an outdoor party in a garden, a park or a meadow, with a mixed guest list and children running about. Daisies keep the Wild One theme sweet rather than rustic, which suits a girl turning one better than antlers and feathers.
Shop this invitation →One Year Fluttered By Theme
Butterfly Fluttered Purple Pink Arch
The dressier of the two Fluttered By invitations, for a larger party or a hired room. Lilac is unusual enough at a first birthday that it will not clash with whatever the venue already has on the walls.
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Butterfly Fluttered by Purple Pink
Lighter and looser, for a morning party at home or a small gathering in the garden. A good choice when the birthday falls in spring and you want the party to feel seasonal without committing to a full theme.
Shop this invitation →Little Butterfly Theme
Butterfly Kisses Wildflowers Photo
For families spread across the country, where half the guest list will only see her in pictures. The photo panel means the invitation gets kept on the fridge long after the party.
Shop this invitation →First Bee-Day Theme
Little Honey Bee-Day Wildflower Photo
For a summer garden party where the invitation needs to carry a photo as well as the details. Suits a birthday falling between May and August, when the wildflowers outside match the card in hand.
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Honey Bee-Day Watercolor Floral Cute
The no-photo version of the Bee-Day theme, for a late summer or early autumn party. Golden tones give you an easy palette to follow through to the cake and the table without hunting for matching decorations.
Shop this invitation →Berry First Birthday Theme
Berry First Cute Strawberry Character
For a strawberry party in early summer, and for a guest list with plenty of toddlers. Strawberries give you cheap decorations and an obvious cake, which matters when the budget is going on the venue.
Shop this invitation →Fairy First Theme
Fairy First Magical Garden Girls
For an indoor party in autumn or winter, when the outdoors is off the table and the room has to do the work. Deep greens and toadstools give you something to build a table around beyond pink.
Shop this invitation →Cats Theme
Cat Party Kittens Colorful Whimsical
For a family with a cat, or a first birthday shared with older brothers and sisters who want something to look at. Bright enough to hold a busy room of small children.
Shop this invitation →Aloha Tropical Theme
Pink Flamingo Tropical Hawaii Aloha
For a July or August birthday in the garden, by a pool, or anywhere the party spills outside. Works for a larger crowd, and the tropical theme carries the decorations for you.
Shop this invitation →One Happy Girl Theme
One Happy Girl Pastel Balloons Sun
A softer option when the party is at home with a small circle of family. Pastels sit well against a plain room, so you can spend on a balloon arch and nothing else and it still looks considered.
Shop this invitation →Bubble Letters Theme
Fun to Be One Bubble Rainbow Stripe
For a party where the children outnumber the adults and nothing needs to be precious. Pastel rainbow gives you a wide colour range to shop decorations from, which keeps the cost down.
Shop this invitation →Send a first birthday invitation six to eight weeks out. Most of the guest list is family with small children of their own, and they need the weekend held early. Order the thank you cards in the same theme at the same time so both arrive together.
