Celebrate Birmingham spreads festive cheer all year long

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF MARY VIRGINIA COLVERT

Celebrate She Will!

Mom turned her love for festive fetes into a full-time party passion.

BY STEPHANIE GIBSON LEPORE

Party planning came to Decatur native and Homewood wife and mom Mary Virginia Colvert in the most natural of ways: while planning daughter Lela’s (now 5) first birthday. “I fell in love with the creative process and seeing the magic of a celebration through her eyes,” says Mary Virginia. “When she got a little older, I started making crafts for friends and for our own home. I had endless encouragement and kind words from our family and friends that really gave me confidence. I never anticipated starting a business, but I trusted the visions that were beginning.”

Mary Virginia’s visions turned into reality as her “celebration passion” grew. Her very first product was a balloon yard sign she did for a friend about three years ago. “Suddenly, I found my days filled with balloons!” she says. At the end of 2019, she founded Celebrate Birmingham, her full-service party business that includes, of course, all kinds of balloons, as well as rentals, party supplies, and seasonal floral arrangements. “We still offer the yard signs, too. They will always be a staple for

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us! I find so much joy in the creative process. My goal with Celebrate is to help you celebrate life’s special moments and those around you who mean the most!”

As the business expanded, Mary Virginia outgrew her home and sublet a warehouse nearby. “It was great for the season that we were in,” she says. “Then, the other tenant we sublet from was expanding their business and so were we, so the time came to find a new location.” At the time, she was only looking for a new space, not necessarily a retail store. But the literal and figurative doors opened for Mary Virginia to have both. “I wasn’t set on having a storefront, but I fell in love with this location. It is still very much a studio, and we work inside daily making things. I’ve honestly tried to sit back and let God guide each decision with the business. He is in full control, and I try to keep an open mind and trust His plan.”

Mary Virginia’s goal is to offer a unique shopping experience with a coming-soon balloon bar, party supplies, and a stellar team who can assist in selecting coordinating items for any event. “We offer balloons, rentals, party supplies, gifts, seasonal floral arrangements. At the balloon bar, customers will be able to stop by and pickup same-day balloons for celebrations. And we also offer free 15-minute design consults to help select a color palette and party

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A Few of Mary Virginia’s Favorite Things

Favorite balloon installation: That’s tough! I loved the Vestavia Hills homecoming installs and the ballet birthday parties we’ve done this year.

Favorite balloon color palette: I’m a sucker for pink color palettes for sure!

Favorite Christmas character: I love Buddy the Elf and the Grinch! My kids love these characters and movies, and we have fun watching them together!

Favorite source of inspiration: Creativity is at the core of our business. Our team feeds off each other so much, and together we come up with some fun ideas. I also feel inspired by being outside in nature, fashion, art, and other balloon artists. Some people in Birmingham who inspire me are Sarah Kennedy with James Kennedy events, Ramsey with Good Neighbor Baking, Buffy Hargett of Buffy Hargett Flowers, and Kathleen Varner Petals & Props.

Favorite holiday dessert: Hot cocoa on a cold day with my kids!

supplies for an event.”

Of balancing the business with being a wife to “wonderful” Matt and mom to Lela and son Ellis (age 2), Mary Virginia says it’s “The million-dollar question! I am always working to figure this out. Right now, we have a great team at Celebrate who helps to keep the day-to-day operations moving. I focus on being very present in the moment, so when I am with my family and kids, I am fully there—and the same goes for work. I am beyond thankful for this opportunity.”

“I just love connecting with our clients and hearing their stories. We have so many people celebrating something meaningful to them and their loved ones: pregnancy after infertility, cancer survivors, newlyweds, milestone birthdays, anniversaries, and so much more. Seeing a project through from the initial inquiry to the day of the event is so exciting. You get to see all the magic and hard work come to life—it’s a true joy to get to be a part of their celebrations!”

Celebrate Birmingham is located at 1743 Reese Street in Homewood. For more information, visit celebratebirmingham.com.