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![Italian carnivale themed 40th birthday party | Photo by Brandi Welles Photographer | Read more - http://www.100layercake.com/blog/?p=80766](https://redesign22.100layercake.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Italian-Carnivale-Themed-40th-Birthday-Party-20-1.jpg)
You guys. This 40th birthday bash is F-U-N. (Just in time for the weekend!) Jen + Geoff love parties. Jen’s a cake baker who loves to come up with bigger and better ideas for Geoff’s birthday each year. But for her own 40th, her guy had a plan of his own: to throw a festive, intimate Venetian Carnivale themed bash inspired by their honeymoon to Italy (and particularly Venice) 13 years before. He got all the right people on board too – Mein Schatz Events to coordinate the epic event and Brandi Welles Photography to catch all the best moments.
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![Italian carnivale themed 40th birthday party | Photo by Brandi Welles Photographer | Read more - http://www.100layercake.com/blog/?p=80766](https://redesign22.100layercake.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Italian-Carnivale-Themed-40th-Birthday-Party-35-1.jpg)
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A super gorgeous Malibu setting to set the tone…
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Their specialty cocktail, Italian Bee Keeper: Bourbon, lemon, honey, Amaro Averna, Angostura Bitters
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A singing gondolier and a flower-filled gondola, plus a Venetian stilt walker provided the entertainment. They really went all out!
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They served lasagne cupcakes (uh, yum!), crostini, salamis, cheeses, and nuts, and a signature cocktail. Jen explains, We watched the sunset over the Malibu coast as we enjoyed wine and champagne and feasted on a choice of succulent prime rib or delicately prepared halibut. In lieu of party hats, Venetian masks were designed and handcrafted by VIVO Masks, of Venice, Italy. We put them on and mingled among the expansive grounds of the property.
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![Italian carnivale themed 40th birthday party | Photo by Brandi Welles Photographer | Read more - http://www.100layercake.com/blog/?p=80766](https://redesign22.100layercake.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Italian-Carnivale-Themed-40th-Birthday-Party-33-1.jpg)
![Italian carnivale themed 40th birthday party | Photo by Brandi Welles Photographer | Read more - http://www.100layercake.com/blog/?p=80766](https://redesign22.100layercake.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Italian-Carnivale-Themed-40th-Birthday-Party-22-1.jpg)
![Italian carnivale themed 40th birthday party | Photo by Brandi Welles Photographer | Read more - http://www.100layercake.com/blog/?p=80766](https://redesign22.100layercake.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Italian-Carnivale-Themed-40th-Birthday-Party-17-1.jpg)
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![Italian carnivale themed 40th birthday party | Photo by Brandi Welles Photographer | Read more - http://www.100layercake.com/blog/?p=80766](https://redesign22.100layercake.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Italian-Carnivale-Themed-40th-Birthday-Party-5-1.jpg)
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A few more deets, c/o Mein Schatz Events: We knew we wanted to bring in some rich reds and dark moody blooms. So we took advantage of the season with some blood red peonies, chocolate cosmos, dahlias and garden roses… Each guest took home a Venetian mask and filled a time capsule of well wishes for Jen to open on her 50th.
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![Italian carnivale themed 40th birthday party | Photo by Brandi Welles Photographer | Read more - http://www.100layercake.com/blog/?p=80766](/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Italian-Carnivale-Themed-40th-Birthday-Party-15.jpg)
![Italian carnivale themed 40th birthday party | Photo by Brandi Welles Photographer | Read more - http://www.100layercake.com/blog/?p=80766](https://redesign22.100layercake.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Italian-Carnivale-Themed-40th-Birthday-Party-24-1.jpg)
![Italian carnivale themed 40th birthday party | Photo by Brandi Welles Photographer | Read more - http://www.100layercake.com/blog/?p=80766](https://redesign22.100layercake.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Italian-Carnivale-Themed-40th-Birthday-Party-28-1.jpg)
Jen says, After our guests sang Happy Birthday, we enjoyed cake around the fire pit, reminiscing about the past and making predictions about my 50th!
Happy birthday, Jen! And kudos to Geoff + the team below for such a fabulous bash!
Photographer: Brandi Welles Photography / Venue: Malibu Residence provided by Universal Locations / Event Planners: Mein Schatz Events / Cake: Charm City Cakes West / Catering: Heirloom LA / Gondola: Gondola Getaway / Venetian Masks: VIVO Masks