Spring Bridal Shower

The bridal shower I helped my friend Elizabeth throw was a huge success (my ability to take pictures of the shin-dig was a fail).  But I did want to share the few I grabbed on this lovely afternoon.

 

The beautiful bride-to-be!

We had a food spread and mimosa bar for the guests. 



not pictured is our fabulous mimosa spread



We kept our games simple.  We had a sheet for guests as they walked in with a list of random facts and they were to write the name of a guest who fit the fact beside it. (i.e. - "Find a guest who has more than two pets", "Find a guest that has a stamp in their passport")  This was a fantastic ice breaker game and had everyone mingling and getting to know other friends and family of the bride.

The second part to the game was using those names you learned and writing them on a bingo sheet.  As Becky opened gifts, she pulled a name out of a guest out of the jar!

 

I was surprised at the shower to hear that almost none of the guests had heard of the "bow bouquet" tradition.  I volunteered to put the bouquet together, but the bride's crafty guest's presents didn't lead to many traditional bows.  After some creative thinking we came up with a tissue paper and ribbon bouquet. 

 



Anchors are part of this Navy wife-to-be's wedding theme.



I love party planning and planning this shower was a great excuse to get to spend evenings with Elizabeth. It was so fun to see our plans come together and celebrate Becky and George's upcoming nuptials!

Bridal Shower Inspiration

A few months back a good friend of mine asked me to help in planning her little sisters bridal shower.  My first thought was, holy crap... how is she old enough to be married (reality check - she is 23).  My second thought was I would LOVE too, I live for this stuff!!!  

So we got to work planning and dreaming of the perfect shower for Becky.  With an April wedding, we wanted to stick with light spring decor.  

With the shower coming up this weekend, I am in full craft mood and wanted to share some of our inspiration!

Burlap Banner... because I love burlap and it has a sweet subtle touch

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Big Balloons and Pom-Poms

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Tassel Garland (we saw these and knew it was a perfect DIY that we could do)

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and a mimosa bar!!!  {because... everyone loves a mimosa bar}

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We can't wait to tie all the final details together.  

Check back next week for a bridal shower recap!

Wedding Wednesday - Showers and Parties

I figured it’s time to start the wedding recap as the honeymoon phase ends and I am washing the hubs dirty laundry!!

My sister (who served as maid-of-honor) and mother threw two bridal showers for me!  The first in Pennsylvania so my grandmother and aunts could all join, and one in Virginia Beach, with all my close friends and Brandon’s family as well!

My PA shower was held at a local café in my families hometown where we had the whole backroom to ourselves!  We ate some delicious lunch and cupcakes and I opened my gifts!  Aunt Cathy put together a pretty spectacular bow bouquet and hat to match! J

love my Nanie'e backdeck!

 

My Virginia Beach shower was at my parent’s house and was followed by a crazy bachelorette party thrown by my best friend, Holly!

 

For the bachelorette party we started in the hotel lobby bar and playing pin the kisses on the man!  Thankfully the place only had one other table at it, and they seemed to be enjoying our classiness!

layered up in the "bachelorette" gear!

We then had dinner and drinks in town center and then went next door to a wine bar.  Turns out my friend Lauren, who had gone to school with the Chef, told him we were coming so he made a full cheese and wine spread for us and keep the champagne coming! 

my bff, Holly!!  Can't wait to load her down with the boas in April... she is now the bride-to-be!

Holly, me and Lauren

my sister and I!

Then the night turned to crazy at the local pub where shots ensued for all!!  Holly nicely planned a short walk and hotel stay for the night to end a perfect evening with the girls!

{So wish we had taken a group photo with all the lovely ladies that came out that night!}

And my last hurrah as a single lady was a bridesmaid’s weekend to the Outerbanks {minus Holly... stupid real world responsibilities}!  The weather was windy but we got in our beach time and spent a great girl’s weekend away!!  {No Vegas trip for this crazy crowd!}

the girl's weekend gang {minus my sister, the photographer!}

 



I was pretty excited about this gift!

 

I definitely have amazing friends and family who made our engagement feel so special!