Fairytale Bridal Shower

Some of the most joyous moments in our lives are celebrations. There is nothing more beautiful than the love of two people, culminating in the celebration of marriage.  From the time the engagement is announced, to the day of the wedding, there are so many details that require so much planning and attention.

My friend Patty J. from Minnesota has asked me to blog on a very special bridal shower that I hosted with my daughters a few years ago. As soon as my niece became engaged I jumped into wedding mode and started planning her wedding shower. I can admit now that I probably obsessed way too much over all of the details, but hey, she is pretty special to me so I felt the need to create somewhat of a "fairytale" day for her.

Since I did not live in the same state that the shower would take place, I secured the venue on a visit back to NY, and took plenty of photos so that I could plan every detail from my home in Florida.

First on the list was color. Sometimes the venue wall color or surroundings have colors that are difficult to work with, but we were lucky, the dining room was the perfect compliment to the black and white theme I had in mind. Even the hors d'oeuvre area, in its Tuscan rust color, proved to work well with all of black and white accessories and tablecloths.

Since first impressions are very important, hung on the exterior double-door entry were the initials of the bride and the groom. White wooden painted letters attached with a lovely thick satin black ribbon hung from the tops of the doors. Stepping into the banquet hall foyer guests were greeted with a large black and white photo collage of the bride and groom with the words "Welcome" on the heading.

Long banquet tables were set up in a small adjoining room to the dining room with the same black and white theme, flanked by tall clear glass vases filled with crystal pebbles, white hydrangeas and tall green twigs. Conversation tables contained single vases with white daisies and green colored water for a simple splash of color. A personal touch was added to the fireplace mantle by adding  a framed stenciled Monogram of the bride's "new" last name. This was a simple DIY project that entailed purchasing a blank canvas from JoAnn Fabric, a bottle of black stencil paint and a stencil template. Quick, easy, economical and it made a nice gift for the bride. Candlesticks and silver mint julep cups filled with Babies Breath completed the simple mantle.
 
 Hors d'oeuvres and champagne punch were served in this room, transforming later to the Luncheon Buffet also.

Luncheon Buffet

 

 

Framed Monogram, Simple Mantle & Daisy Vase

 

The dining room contained tables in a circular shape, except the bridal table. These were  covered with floor length white linen tablecloths. I purchased black and white damask fabric   (http://www.bocabargoons.com/), and made a large center table runner for each table, making the Bride's table a bit more elegant with fabric draping.

 In the center of each table were 8 inch black Blumebox vases filled with large white hydrangeas. (http://www.blumebox.com/) Each box was accented with a lime green ribbon using simple white craft glue. On each side of the Blumebox vase was a pair of silver beaded candlestick holders with a lime green candle.

Place settings were flanked with beautifully wrapped boxes of truffles from The Chocolate Shoppe in Perrysburg, OH (http://www.thechocolateshoppe.com/shoppe/index.html) a place very near and dear to me. On each plate tucked neatly in a black linen napkin were the printed luncheon menus. Each table contained a photo of the bride or the groom as a child, and a slide show with photos of the bride and groom through their childhood years created an atmosphere for some nostalgic conversation and laughter.

 

 

Bridal Table

Guest Tables

Blumebox Centerpieces, Damask Fabric Runner, Bride Photo Frames

 

Menu and Chocolate Truffle Favor

The  centerpiece of the dessert table  was a 4-layer tiered Cupcake Tower, with matching Damask paper, made with the following:
* 4 layers of Styrofoam cut into stackable squares (I searched the internet for a company that cut and sold pieces of Styrofoam and gave them my measurements.)
* Cut 4 pieces of firm wood to match the Styrofoam dimensions (Home Depot cut them for me)
* Covered each piece of Styrofoam with white contact paper.
* Covered each piece of wood with black contact paper (able to be wiped off)
* Chose a giftwrap in Damask print, and covered the outside of each layer using double sided
tape. (This paper may be changed with any occasion.)
* Attached a complimentary lime ribbon around each layer (using double sided tape)

This DIY project can be used over and over again. By applying the contact paper to the Styrofoam and using double sided tape to adhere the paper, everything peels off and is ready for another paper to be attached. I have also used the layers separately; the large layer is great for wine glasses on a buffet as it elevates them adding interest to the table.

On the cupcake tower were Lemon Cupcakes with Buttercream Frosting, and on the other end of the dessert table were platters of  Kiwi Fruit and Chocolate Mousse Tartlets. The bride's favorite candies completed the table with self-serve baggies for our guests.

Dessert Table

I hope that you all enjoy perusing these photos and can possibly use some of my ideas for parties of your own. It truly was a joy to create for my very special niece!


Fairytales do come true...... xxoo


**  (Photos from the shower were featured on both Blumebox and The Hostess with the Mostess websites at the time.)