Hosting A Garden Bridal Shower
Garden bridal showers are a trend and I’m absolutely loving it. It’s a fresh modern take on the traditional restaurant and hotel style, and it’s setting a whole new intimate vibe for wedding showers. The best part? Anything goes!
My daughter, Allie (yep, THAT Allie of Allie + Deb!) is getting married in November. We couldn’t be more excited and the big day will be here in a hot minute. As soon as Allie and her fiancé set the date, one of my oldest besties, Lauren, called to say she and her daughter, Ashley would like to host a shower to sprinkle our favorite girl. First, let me say, our daughter’s have been friends since the girls were 3, and how amazing is it when your friend opens her heart and home for your one and only girl?
The planning started at Lauren’s one night over dinner with our girls. Lauren asked Allie what she dreamed her bridal shower to be. Allie mentioned three things: She would like her shower to be a garden party at home, be intimate, and something late afternoon that would take the party into the evening, with friends sipping and chatting it up ‘til the wee hours.
Welp, the shower was last weekend and it was exactly how we envisioned an intimate garden party would be, with Allie’s nearest and dearest gal pals, long-time friends and family eating great food, drinking rosé like it was our job, enjoying conversation with old and new-er friends and of course, celebrating the Bride-to-Be. Really, though, does it get any better?
The shower was inspired by Lauren’s lush backyard and what we call ‘Lauren magic’, because no one can do it like she does. Did I mention her and her sister Jen are AMAZING chefs? The natural, rustic beauty and setting of the garden filled with lush trees, woody elements, thick greenery, beautifully set tables and loads of fresh, beautiful flowers. From day of pure sunshine, to the vintage potting bench, where bubbly and Rosé were served, it was one enchanted bridal shower.
The Color Story
Lauren chose a blue and white color story, in honor or the bride’s current favorite colors, and to chime in the essence of summer. She decorated with Shibori garlands, blue paper poms and rustic cones filled with baby’s breath throughout the yard, creating a simple, insanely charming and rustic vibe, that was as pretty as can be.
On the Table
To carry out the color theme, Lauren combined white linen tablecloths draped down to the lawn, blue and white paper table runners with coordinating placemats, which also accented the bar area, square dinner plates for a little drama and solid blue napkins, playing off the blue of the pretty paper. To accent the table décor, she kept it simple, filling clear glass vases with white hydrangeas and baby’s breath, which was just enough to accent the prints of the paper. She added mini-succulents planted in votive holders at each placesetting as favors, to thank guests for coming.
Placeards
Assigned seating and placecards can be tricky for a Bridal Shower host. They typically don’t know too many of the brides’ friends and family and they don’t want to burden the already busy bride planning their wedding. I loved Lauren’s idea of setting placecards at the door for guests to take to their seats. It’s a lovely and tasteful way to get to know someone you’ve never met, or might not remember.
Element of Surprise
There were obviously many, including the mini-wedding cake, but the sea of teacups lined up in the kitchen ready to serve Affogato for dessert was the real moment of ‘it’s all in the details’.
A favorite moment?
Actually, I have two. When everyone was seated, with Allie next to me, I looked around to see so many dear friends and soon-to-be family gathered together to love and celebrate the upcoming wedding of my amazing daughter. Honestly, the perfect moment. The 2nd: When Lauren finally got to sit down with a glass of wine to enjoy, talk about the day and share the moments. Both were priceless and truly, magical.
We're coming for you Sayulita!