 | Did you think that rustic, minimal style applies to just your home? Not only do I apply that mentality to my clothing, my hair (HA), and even my parenting, but it works when planning the perfect party as well. Last year at this time, we'd just thrown a bridal shower for my sister that nobody wanted to end. How many times do you leave a bridal shower feeling that way? We'll share the simple choices we made to create a memorable atmosphere that adults will enjoy! |
The first step to planning a great shower is to think about what sort of activities your bride enjoys and go from there. You do not have to plan a shower that looks like anyone else's. My sister likes a cottage style, she likes eating, and she likes drinking and laughing with friends. She does not really like playing shower games or having a theme of any kind. She is pretty classic and laid back, and her party should reflect that.
Early on, we realized that we needed to ditch the standard template of a bridal shower and just create a space that was beautiful, had food that was delicious, and allowed the conversation to be the entertainment.
Early on, we realized that we needed to ditch the standard template of a bridal shower and just create a space that was beautiful, had food that was delicious, and allowed the conversation to be the entertainment.
Our guests are so beautiful!!!
Also, at this point in our lives, my mom, my older sister, and I just didn't have the time or the space to throw a DIY party in any of our spaces. We wanted to celebrate Stef but we needed ZERO STRESS, so for the first time ever, we decided to throw a party that we barely had to prepare for. GUYS. IT'S WORTH EVERY EXTRA PENNY. And guess what...it wasn't that many extra pennies.
Choose a Great Venue
Sounds expensive, maybe? Yes, you will pay for food, but there was no food preparation on our behalf. I crowd-sourced friends on Facebook for favorite restaurants in the city and then emailed each place about space for the size shower we were going to throw. Most restaurants will have space for a small party and don't charge much extra to use that space as long as you are ordering food and drink. (The restaurant we chose didn't actually charge us anything extra, we paid only for the food and drinks. Honest!) Instead of having appetizers, we worked with the restaurant to create a special menu and let everyone order lunch, and we arranged to have bottomless mimosas. We didn't have to spend any time ahead of time preparing tons of food, spending money on groceries or alcohol, or on plates, glasses, and silverware. No balloons or hanging things. We just had to show up, grab a mimosa, and let our guests choose what lunch would delight them. It was amazing.
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dECORATE wITH eNGAGEMENT pHOTOS
If you are in a beautiful space already, you don't have to spend much money or time on decorating. Keep that in mind when considering the cost of having a shower at a venue. There are so many little ways that you save, whether it's your time or your money, that might make up the extra expense of the venue for you (and again, we didn't even pay extra for our venue, we merely decided to order all food and drink there instead of bringing any in).
We printed her engagement photos and put them in a photo tree for people to stop and look at as they arrived. Nothing else, just these next to all of her presents, and we let the photos do all of the hard work! When people weren't admiring the cute room or the menu on the table, they stopped by here and oohed and aahed about how cute the couple is. I mean for real...they better have children because THEY ARE GOING TO BE SOOOOO ADORABLE.
We printed her engagement photos and put them in a photo tree for people to stop and look at as they arrived. Nothing else, just these next to all of her presents, and we let the photos do all of the hard work! When people weren't admiring the cute room or the menu on the table, they stopped by here and oohed and aahed about how cute the couple is. I mean for real...they better have children because THEY ARE GOING TO BE SOOOOO ADORABLE.
No Games. Just Conversation.
Yes, games are a fun way to liven up a party. But they aren't the only way, and throwing a party that takes a break from the games can be refreshing and memorable. So skip the games (our guests cheered when we announced that!) and keep a little list of conversation questions that you ask everyone to answer one at a time around the table. Everyone will be enjoying themselves in no time!
Here are a few sample conversation questions:
What activity did you enjoy most growing up (ex. basketball, sewing..)
Are you an appetizer person or a dessert person?
House Hunters or House Hunters International (bonus: which international locations are best...tropical, urban, or rural)?
What do you have to have when you are feeling sick (cozy pillow, special drink, etc)?
Do you prefer hiking or sitting next to a pool?
Are you a dog or cat person?
It can also be nice to ask everyone to share a memory they have with the bride, whether hilarious or touching.
What activity did you enjoy most growing up (ex. basketball, sewing..)
Are you an appetizer person or a dessert person?
House Hunters or House Hunters International (bonus: which international locations are best...tropical, urban, or rural)?
What do you have to have when you are feeling sick (cozy pillow, special drink, etc)?
Do you prefer hiking or sitting next to a pool?
Are you a dog or cat person?
It can also be nice to ask everyone to share a memory they have with the bride, whether hilarious or touching.
Check In With the Bride's Florist
With minimal decor for the table, we did know that we wanted to pick up a few bouquets. Before checking out flower shops, I ended up sending the wedding florist, KP Designs, a quick email to see if she did anything like this with the odds and ends she had around from weddings she was currently doing. We met at a fantastic price, and I picked up these glorious little bouquets for the table the night before, while out and about anyways, and dropped off the vases again after! I also got a handful of other greenery to set on menus or around the favors. Pretty. Amazing. And if you need a florist in the Madison area...SHE IS THE ONE.
Consider Local Shops foR Favors
The bride loves chocolate chip cookies, so we got everyone a chocolate chip cookie from Bloom Bake Shop. I picked them up wrapped all sweet like this with a great sticker about 1 hour before the party. Didn't have to do a thing. I also chose to have 6 of the cookies be gluten free for guests with gluten restrictions. How great (and easy) is that? I personally would rather leave a party with a big, delicious cookie than a little favor that I'm not sure what to do with. They had so many other wonderful flavors to choose from, like Ginger Molasses or Peanut Butter Chunk, but this bride is a classic, and went with good ol' chocolate chip. And at just over $2 each, it was the perfect favor (AND took care of dessert!).
This is just one idea, but when it comes to favors, ditch the batch favor ideas online and email a few local boutique shops and see what they might be able to do!
This is just one idea, but when it comes to favors, ditch the batch favor ideas online and email a few local boutique shops and see what they might be able to do!
OK, So We DYI'd a Little
My older sister really wanted to do something personal, so she found a perfect recipe for body scrub from Love Vividly that came with a template for printing these stickers. The recipe is super easy, and all you have to do is get the jars and the labels to print on. This scrub was INCREDIBLE & the perfect complement to the cookie on the way out. It matched the whole look and stayed in theme - the theme of giving her guests something they will use and enjoy.
Final Thoughts
Are you getting the idea that you don't have to do the party like you've been to 20 times? That you can minimize in clever ways so that you can spend a little more in the areas that everyone will truly love? The biggest blessing of it in our family was to be able to celebrate Stef while not having to worry or work too much before and after. We didn't have to do any dishes, or clean our homes to perfection, or spend time cooking. For three women who are working a lot, that was a huge deal. It allowed us to truly enjoy this shower to the fullest.
Now, I understand that this won't work for a large party unless you have a big budget or that you may live an area that doesn't allow you to choose between venues. However, I hope you found a few ideas here to help simplify and bring authenticity to a party you are hosting.
Now, I understand that this won't work for a large party unless you have a big budget or that you may live an area that doesn't allow you to choose between venues. However, I hope you found a few ideas here to help simplify and bring authenticity to a party you are hosting.
Having a party that matches other parties is the least important thing you can lose your focus on...what's important is thinking about what your bride loves and finding neat ways to communicate that to her and her guests.
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