A September Bridal Shower

My daughter is a bridesmaid in one of her dear friend's wedding in December.  I held a bridal shower in my home honoring the cute bride-to-be!!  We had originally thought we would have the shower outdoors, but it seems the rain has threatened so many of our outdoor plans this year.  The Wednesday before the Saturday date I made the corporate decision to have it indoors.  One less thing to worry about and I could set up in advance.

Upon entering the foyer, a chalkboard sign welcomed friends and family.  The black and gold frame sat on a tall easel that I borrowed from a friend.

Since I am not very artistic, I had to practice to get the lettering to look right.  Not perfect, but not bad for a rookie.

I added a large green arrangement to the foyer using greens from the yard.

Fresh flowers in a vintage crystal vase were placed on the table in the foyer.

Blush pink, creams, whites, and burgundies were the color schemes.  I found some blush pink tulle and lace at the fabric store and used it on the tables.

Deciding on serving dishes and setting up in advance keeps me from going crazy at the last minute.  The little post-it notes were placed so that I could remember what went where!

The flowers for the buffet table were arranged the Thursday before.  I purchased flowers from Trader Joe's and added greenery and hydrangeas from the yard.

I found these cute umbrella bird feeders at Tuesday Morning years ago and painted them gold and white.  They are metal and perfect for a bridal or baby shower.

The centerpiece also consisted of a floral runner and two small vases of flowers at each end.

Two tables were set up--one for ten people in the kitchen and one for ten people in the dining room.  The buffet was set up on the island in the kitchen.

I used gold doilies as chargers and my gold and white china plates.

The table coverings consisted of a plain white cloth covered with a lace cloth and a blush pink tulle runner under the flowers.  Stem glasses are Chelsea by Godinger that I purchased at Tuesday Morning years ago.

I used a long shallow tray which I made from aluminum foil baking sheets and duct tape as a base to hold the oasis for the flowers.

The umbrella bird feeders have crystals hanging from them and if you look closely, there is a tiny bird at the bottom.

The bar was set up between the kitchen and living room.  The table was covered with the same white cloth and white lace overlay, but that didn't happen until after the pictures had been taken.

The table in the dining room was the same as the kitchen.  This picture was taken before the napkins, so you can see the white and gold place setting.

A few more pictures of the dining room table--

The menu consisted of strawberry spinach feta salad with blush wine vinaigrette, cheese straws, caprese skewers, ham biscuits with honey cinnamon butter, crab mushroom quiche and broccoli cheddar quiche, fresh vegetables with avocado ranch dip, pita chips and peanuts.

Little silver pitcher place card holders held the menu description.

Forgot to take a picture of the cake.  The desserts were placed on the server in the dining room.  I made the cake from a recipe for wedding cake on Pinterest and dyed the icing to match the color scheme.  I used a few fresh flowers on top.  Other desserts were candy dipped oreos, divinity, iced brownies, and chocolate covered almonds.

Party favors were cookies that were made especially for brides (I bought these from a lady that makes them) and consisted of wedding gowns, a calendar with the wedding date circled, and a wedding bell.  They were adorable and tasted good as well!  A bit hit!

Finally, yours truly with the adorable bride-to-be!

Hugs,

Betsy

An Outdoor Bridal Shower Setting!

A friend of mine's daughter is getting married in August, and I was excited to give her a bridal shower this past weekend.  The weather cooperated, even though we had to wait until the day of to set up because of rain.  With a little help from friends and family, the shower was a success!

The MOB provided this cute flag which could be seen from the street.

A bridal wreath adorned the front door.  I used a pew bow which I had made for the wedding of a friend in the center, along with roses and baby's breath.

Since the shower was outside, we directed guests with a sign so no one had to go up and down steps unnecessarily.

This cute sign welcomed guests to the backyard.  The MOB's bridal veil was used to decorate.

I found these cute bird feeders at Tuesday morning so I purchased two.  Loved the little umbrella, and though you can't see, it has a little bird perched on the bottom.

It was supposed to be sunny and hot.  Instead it was cloudy and muggy, but the canopies did provide some much needed shade for when the sun did peep out.  I set tables for 32 guests.  The pew bows I made were used at the corners of the canopies.

I painted an old silver tray with chalkboard paint on the inside and Annie Sloan on the rim.

The theme was pink and gold.  I used two gold candlesticks with candlecups to hold arrangements for the tablescape.

Since the tables I was planning to use weren't very wide, I began looking early for something low, long and narrow.  I found exactly what I was looking for at a consignment store.  The brass floral container was dirty and black, but after cleaning with brass cleaner, it looked almost brand new!  This arrangement was used on the center table.

I made seven of these pink and white runners.  It's hard to see, but the fabric has little birds on it.  So I pulled out my love birds to use on the tables.

This table was set for 20 guests.

I have been collecting white china trimmed in gold, and I had enough to use for the shower. All the patterns aren't exactly the same, but worked well together.

The iced beverage glasses are Chelsea by Godinger, from the Shannon collection.  I purchased these at Tuesday morning a few years back when I had an outdoor dinner for my son's high school graduation.

I used gold doilies under the plates instead of chargers.  Chargers were just too big for the narrow tables.

As for the tablecloths, I used solid white with a lace overlay.

I also used the round tables on the patio.  Since I kept the umbrellas in, I used white battenburg placemats, and changed to pink napkins.  Vases of stock, snapdragons, and alstromeira decorated the tables.

I needed one more table for four, so I used a folding round table.  

The buffet was set up using two rectangular tables and a round table in the center to hold dessert plates and forks.

Buffet table before food...

Buffet table with food!

A gold and white urn holds the flowers for the centerpiece, and I used two small silver vases with just one flower.

The menu:  ham biscuits, salad with fruit and pecans, cheese straws, spinach squares, caprese bites, and chicken salad with croissants.

Dessert table was set up using a white tablecloth and a pink overlay.  For this table, I used several of my glass pieces that are trimmed in gold.  I scout these out at estate sales.

Dessert table with food!  

The BTB's cousin made this adorable cake!  It was chocolate inside, moist, and delicious!

She also made the cute cake pops.

We had strawberries dipped in pink candy coating, pink m&m's, and homemade chocolate/nut/coconut cookies.  The cookies were made by a friend, who was so gracious to help me out!  These cookies are so good, it's impossible to eat just one!

Also, golden oreos dipped in pink candy coating, more cookies, and chocolate covered almonds.  Another pink cake, just in case we ran out of dessert lol!  The flowers here were baby's breath and pink carnations, in a crystal candlestick with a candlecup to hold the floral.

The centerpiece consisted of a large crystal compote that I found at a consignment store.  I decorated it with a white tulle "wedding" skirt on the bottom stem and a floral in the bowl.

Thinking this is picture overload, so I'll stop for now.  Part II coming soon, with more pictures from the shower.

Thanks for stopping by!  Come back soon!!

Hugs, Betsy