Savanna's Willy Wonka fifth birthday

When it comes to themed children's parties, Willy Wonka is often associated with bright colours, larger-than-life props and plenty of visual chaos. But for this Surrey birthday celebration, the brief was refreshingly different. As returning clients, Savanna's family know that every event I create is tailored to their vision, and for this particular birthday they wanted a Willy Wonka-inspired setup that felt immersive and fun, without filling the room with every colour of the rainbow.

The challenge was to create maximum impact within a kitchen space - marble surfaces, plenty of natural light - while keeping the design cohesive, stylish and practical for a family celebration at home.

Creating a Willy Wonka world in a smaller space

One of the biggest misconceptions about event styling is that you need a huge venue to create something memorable. For Savanna's party the celebration was taking place at the family's Surrey home, with the main styling area in the kitchen. Rather than seeing that as a limitation, it became an opportunity to design something that felt intentionally curated and perfectly suited to the space.

The focal point was a bespoke purple arched installation, paired with a golden-ticket panel to bring a touch of Wonka-worthy magic to the design. Crucially, the typography on that panel is printed with Savanna's name - not the studio's, not a generic invitation - and that single swap is what stops the installation feeling like a hired backdrop. Rich purple balloons in varying tones added depth and texture while keeping the palette refined, so the setup felt grown-up while still capturing the playful spirit of the theme.

The details that brought the theme to life

The magic of a themed celebration often lies in the details. To bring in the whimsical elements that make Willy Wonka so recognisable, I added oversized multicoloured swirl lollipops throughout the installation and a few bespoke bubblegum balloons. These playful statement props transport you into a world of imagination while complementing the more restrained palette.

One of my favourite additions was the custom-made giant Wonka Bar prop, created especially for the setup. Would you believe it started life as a stack of disposable plastic take-away boxes? I spray-painted them in the studio until the wrapper and the proportions read right - it's the piece I most loved making on this build, and the bit you couldn't buy in if you tried.

To complete the scene, I created a chocolate river using flowing satin fabric laid across a grass mat, bringing one of the most iconic elements of the Willy Wonka story into the space. It's a simple but effective detail that turns a styled corner into somewhere children actually want to step into. A purple "5" column with a brushed-gold numeral keeps the milestone in the room, and smaller notes around the base - a toadstool prop, a scatter of moss - are kept deliberately quiet. They're the texture under the headline, not the headline.

Why home parties can be just as impactful

Many parents assume they need to hire a venue to create a memorable party, but some of the most effective setups are designed specifically for the home. By working with the available space and building a focal installation tailored to the room, it's possible to achieve a high-impact result without overwhelming the environment. Every element of Savanna's setup was considered so the party felt exciting, themed and beautifully styled while still letting the family enjoy their home throughout the celebration.

See also the six children's party themes shaping 2026 for how this kind of restrained, thoughtfully styled take is showing up across briefs this year. The same logic underpins our children's party styling and the milestone work over on milestone celebrations.

Why I love this part

Themed birthdays are where parents most often expect to compromise on the design - to lean on shop-bought banners and novelty plates because their child loves a character. I always want to reassure them that they don't have to. A character theme can be styled as thoughtfully as a christening or a milestone, and the child still gets exactly the thing they asked for - just designed beautifully for their own room.

And when clients return year after year to mark their children's milestones, it's always a privilege to be trusted to help create those memories once again. If you're planning a fifth, a sixth or a first and there's a theme your child won't budge on, I'd love to hear it. Tell me what they have in mind and the first sketch is always free.

Laura x