Tillamook Sundae Social at the Candle Bar

How to throw the BEST sundae social | Louella Reese

If you know me, you know I love ice cream! The love runs deep and is truly the real deal! I can thank my grandpa for this love as he use to layout a full spread of ice cream and toppings for us to create our own sundaes. Over the years I have tried countless flavors and brands – upon tasting Tillamook ice cream last month, I found my match! Truly the best ice cream I have ever tasted! It is creamy, smooth, packed with flavor, and leaves you satisfied while also totally wanting more! So when Tillamook reached out to me to host an ice cream tasting party featuring their amazing flavors and fun new packaging, I may have squealed with excitement and jumped with joy! I immediately was brought back to those days with my grandpa and those extra sweet memories. Therefore, I quickly settled on a vintage sundae social theme. One filled with classic toppings, mason jars, wood handled ice cream scoops, and dainty floral tablecloths. 

Vintage Inspired Ice Cream Party | Louella Reese
How to throw the BEST sundae social | Louella Reese
Vintage Inspired Ice Cream Party | Louella Reese

With the theme decided, it was time to find the perfect space to host the sundae social. Tillamook provided a couple of fun spots in the Charlotte area and I immediately knew that The Candle Bar had to be it! Their new space is absolutely beautiful – filled with natural wood, gorgeous candles, and a wall of vintage blue glass bottles that perfectly aligned with the theme. Not to mention they have the sweetest staff ever! I truly couldn’t adore the gals that work at The Candle Bar more! The Candle Bar also allowed me to extend the invitation to followers and community members. Which was great as I didn’t want to limit the party invitation to just a small group of friends but rather have it open to everyone!

To me, ice cream is one of those things that brings people together. How often do you meet someone that doesn’t love ice cream? Which I believe the turnout perfectly proved – we had 45-50 friends, family members, and followers plus several that walked in after seeing the excitement + the Tillamook Sundae Social party sign we had placed outside. You know I was excited to share my favorite Tillamook flavors with them – Tillamook Mudslide and Oregon Strawberry. We also had, Old-Fashioned Vanilla and Monster Cookie. 

The Candle Bar Charlotte | Louella Reese
The Candle Bar Charlotte | Louella Reese
Tillamook Ice Cream Party | Fun Murals in Charlotte, Charlotte Murals | Louella Reese
Another positive about hosting the event at The Candle Bar, right outside of their shop is the famous Evelyn Henson heart wall. Which provided the perfect backdrop for guests to snap photos with their ice cream cones, sundaes, and samples! I added two vintage blue and white chairs, Tillamook Ice Cream, and I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream For Tillamook Ice Cream signs.  
How to throw the BEST sundae social | Louella Reese
How to throw the BEST sundae social | Louella Reese
How to throw the BEST sundae social | Louella Reese

Sundae Social Planning Tips

If you’re wanting to host an end of summer ice cream tasting party or sundae social or combine both, I have a couple of tips for you! These are items I learned along the way as I was planning the event and/or things I am so happy I planned ahead for as they made the event run smoothly + allowed me to enjoy it! And who doesn’t want to enjoy the party they’ve planned?! 

Since the sundae social was hosted at The Candle Bar vs. a restaurant I had to get a little creative with how to store the ice cream. After all, ice cream melts pretty quickly, especially in the middle of summer, in the south! I borrowed a large freezer from my in-laws (thank you again) and purchased a vintage inspired cooler that we stocked full of dry ice + regular ice. I would recommend asking around to see if any of your friends have a large freezer you can borrow or purchase patio cooler, maybe both depending on the size of your party. Also, do not forget to buy several bags of ice and a little dry ice, the latter really helps to keep the ice cream from melting! Another note, purchase your Tillamook Ice Cream a day or two in advance and place in your personal freezer or borrowed/purchased large freezer right away. That way the ice cream is perfectly frozen and ready to be served at your party!

Vintage Inspired Ice Cream Party | Louella Reese
How to throw the BEST sundae social | Louella Reese
How to throw the BEST sundae social | Louella Reese
How to throw the BEST sundae social | Louella Reese

Offer a variety of options! As mentioned above, I included a couple of my favorite Tillamook Ice Cream flavors Tillamook Mudslide and Oregon Strawberry. As well as, Old-Fashioned Vanilla and Monster Cookie – an option for those that like the classic and one for those that little to try unique flavors! Don’t forget about variety when it comes to toppings as well! The sundae table included: pecans, walnuts, bananas, strawberries, dark chocolate chips, shredded coconut, homemade granola, dark chocolate sauce, and caramel sauce. No shortage of options for those that like to pile the toppings onto their sundaes! My personal favorite, Tillamook Mudslide with shredded coconut, walnuts, and banana slices – YUM! 

Create an opportunity for guests to sample the different flavors. Since you are providing them with so many yummy options, giving them a way to taste before committing is a must! One way to do that and the route I went to fit the vintage theme, purchase mini mason jars, fill with one scoop of a flavor, and label which flavor is inside (see photo). This is a fun way for guests to sample the flavors and have a little party gift to take home with them – either their empty sample jars to use at home or a few filled jars to place in their freezers to enjoy later! Or you can create ice cream flights, that way the guest can take a tiny taste of each flavor to see which one is their must have! 

Final tip, enjoy! Enjoy your guests, enjoy the Tillamook Ice Cream, and enjoy your party! 

Vintage Inspired Ice Cream Party | Louella Reese
How to throw the BEST sundae social | Louella Reese
How to throw the BEST sundae social | Louella Reese

This post is sponsored by Tillamook Ice Cream; all views and opinions are of course my own.

Photos by Sunni Photography 

22 Comments

  1. Aw I love this! I get my love of ice cream from my grandparents too! My grandmother was the best with ice cream. I’m so glad you turned me on to this. Everyone in my family is hooked!

    Posted 9.6.19
    • Aw I love that! Grandparents are truly the best. I am beyond thrilled to hear y’all love Tillamook as much as I do!

      xo Laura Leigh

      Posted 9.6.19
  2. Rach wrote:

    This event looked so fun and cute! You did an incredible job!

    http://www.rdsobsessions.com

    Posted 9.6.19
  3. Annie wrote:

    This looks like SO much fun! You have such excellent taste in style – this looks so adorable!

    Posted 9.6.19
  4. Omg this looks to cute (& yummy!) That heart wall made the perfect background for those pics! xoxo sarah

    Posted 9.6.19
  5. Morgan wrote:

    I scream for Tillamook ice cream!! Goodness what a fun night this was!! Let’s have a re-do on your backporch before it gets too chilly out!

    -Morgan
    How 2 Wear It [] http://how2wearit.com

    Posted 9.6.19
    • Aw yay! I am so happy you had such a great time. YES I would be so in for that!

      xo Laura Leigh

      Posted 9.9.19
  6. Rachel wrote:

    What a fun event!! I’ve seen so many people raving about the Tillamook ice cream lately – I need to try it!

    Rachel
    http://www.hello-her.com

    Posted 9.6.19
    • It really was! Yes girl, you need to! Truly the best ice cream out there!

      xo Laura Leigh

      Posted 9.9.19
  7. rebecca wrote:

    this is SUCH a fun idea!! love the combo of the ice cream & the candles! so so fun.

    xx rebecca

    Posted 9.6.19
  8. Stephanie wrote:

    This looks like it was so much fun! I love the idea of an ice cream social. My mom and dad used to have friends over for sundae parties when I was a kid. I gotta do that with my husband!

    Posted 9.6.19
    • Thank you lady! Aw that is too cute – what a fun tradition. You should definitely keep that up!

      xo Laura Leigh

      Posted 9.9.19
  9. roxy wrote:

    How adorable! Sounds like all your hard work planning was totally worth it, this looks like the perfect way to spend a later Summer day. 🙂

    Posted 9.7.19
    • Aw thank you Roxy 🙂 so sweet of you! Definitely was the perfect day for one!

      xo Laura Leigh

      Posted 9.9.19
  10. Greta wrote:

    I LOVE Tillamook ice cream. This looks like such a fun event!

    Posted 9.8.19
  11. Laura S wrote:

    This looks like so much fun! Nothing better than a get together with ice cream and candles!

    Posted 9.9.19

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