Sometimes the best parties are the smallest ones. Intimate birthday parties allow you to celebrate with the people who matter most — close friends and family. We’ve searched high and low to bring you 9 of our favorite intimate birthday parties. From gorgeous balloon installations and picturesque tablescapes to delectable cuisine and artistic birthday cakes, there’s plenty of exciting ways to distinguish your special day. Read on to discover a chic celebration on a city rooftop, a stunning milestone event at an elegant hotel, and so much more.
1. A Rooftop Soirée With Dramatic City Views
This gorgeous intimate birthday party — situated on a picturesque rooftop — boasted dramatic views of Manhattan, lavish orchid installations, and delicious cuisine.
photographer: Phillip Van Nostrand Photography | planner: Apotheosis Events | design & décor: David Beahm Experiences | venue: PUBLIC Hotel | entertainment: Generation Events, Inc. & On The Move | lighting & sound: L & M | sushi: Nobu New York | check-in: CheckIn Tech | hair & makeup: The Wall Group, Kale Teeter & Cameron Rains | cake: Madison Lee’s Cakes | staffing: Staffed Inc
2. An Intimate Dinner in the Mountains
This intimate 60th-birthday party featured artisan cocktails, a nine-course tasting menu, and elegant tenting with suspended gold lighting.
photo courtesy of & planner: Kristin Banta Events | décor: R. Jack Balthazar | venue: Ojai Valley Inn
3. A Luxe Celebration With Romantic Details
This intimate birthday party has us falling in love. Lavish roses, luxe velvet seating, and endless crimson balloons set the scene for a night of romance (and style).
photographer: Scott Clark Photo | planner & design: Sterling Social Events & Experiences | décor: JL Event Design | venue: Chateau Marmont | rentals: Found Rentals
4. A Girl’s Night Out
This floral-forward intimate birthday party dazzled guests from start to finish. Not only did celebrants enjoy their own individual birthday cakes, they also experienced gorgeous tabletop blooms, twinkling lights, and edible flower ice cubes.
photographer: Frances Iacuzzi Photography | décor: Soiree LA Event Design | venue: The Beverly Hills Hotel | sweets: Sugar Babies Bake Shop
5. A Destination Celebration Much Closer to Home
This New York venue was transformed into a vibrant New Orleans Garden District mansion — complete with plenty of photo ops, a stunning balloon installation, and a show-stopping brass band.
photographer: Joshua Dwain Photography | planner: Exhilarate Experiential | décor: Ovando Design and Production | venue: Rainbow Room | rentals: Luxe Event Rentals | dj booth: Glam Party Rentals | entertainment: DJ Irie, Knockaz Brass Band, & Doug E. Fresh | film: Kandyflosse | custom props: Prop N’ Spoon | cake: Soma Cakes | custom balloon installation: Katie’s Balloons | the porter experience: Icon Branded Events
6. A Party Fit for Royalty
Rochester, MI
This intimate birthday party was fit for royalty, indeed. A few of our favorite details include painted mirrors, custom napkins, champagne with floating rose petals, and sophisticated martinis.
photographer: John Wu Photography | planner & design: Something Fabulous | venue: Royal Park Hotel | linen: Over The Top Rental Linens & BBJ Linen | calligraphy: Cali O’Rourke Calligraphy | custom details: Carlson Craft | invitations: Envelopments
7. A Diva-Worthy Celebration
A custom-made Louis Vuitton purse cake, red-rose centerpieces, and personalized champagne bottles made this intimate birthday party a chic and memorable affair.
photographer: Kent Drake Photography | planner: Christina Currie Events, Inc. | décor: Anthony Gowder Designs | venue: RPM Italian | balloons: Anthony’s Balloons LLC | stationery: Charmant Invitations | linen: BBJ Linen | cake: Elysia Root Cakes
8. A Night of Delectable Dining
This intimate birthday party, situated in a stylish sake cave, wowed with its simple (yet tasteful) décor — and award-winning Japanese cuisine.
photographer, venue, & caterer: Roku
9. A Party for the Artist at Heart
Artfully-arranged cuisine mirrors the stunning composition of floral arrangements by leaf and stem. Other gorgeous elements from this intimate birthday dinner include suspended globed candlelight and overhanging purple orchids.
photo courtesy of & caterer: STYLE Catering, Inc. | planner & event design: STYLE Hospitality décor: Andres Aguilar Designs | venue: private residence | linen: Nuage Designs | chargers: Contempo Linen and Event Rental | flatware: Atlas Event Rental | china: Diamonette