Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Hosting a Bridal Shower

O

n Saturday I threw a bridal shower for the first time.  

I am the matron of honour in my sister's wedding, and as such it was my duty to throw her the perfect shower.  I hadn't done this before, but I knew I didn't want to miss a detail.

For me, what makes a party special is the little extra ... the small details ... that certain je ne sais quoi.

Those small details might be in the decorating ...


Or perhaps in the ice cubes ...


Or maybe they are the party favours in the theme colours ...


Or the cake pops made with love ...


Whatever the small details are, don't forget them.  

Life is too short to pass up on a chance to make someone feel special.



I spent all of last week prepping for the shower, including buying supplies, borrowing supplies from my lovely friend Jocelyn, and buying flowers to arrange and display in my house.  I knew I wanted the shower to be more classy, less tacky, and I thought the flowers would help achieve the look I was going for.


The theme was wine, cheese and chocolate, and the colours were pink and white.


After arranging flowers all around my house, the hubby helped me with hanging decorations.  


I put the finishing touches on everything and made food the night before, so that all I had to do on Saturday was put the food out and get ready for the games and guests.

The hubby wrapped the gift ...


Which we put with the others ...


And I wrapped the prizes and got games ready ...


Oh yeah, and I made a bit of food too ...


I served mimosas, strawberry lemonade punch, and lots of wine.

Before the guests arrived I threw on my favourite summery dress and put out some scrapbooking stuff for my sister.  I would have made her a scrapbook, but it would have looked like your cat/dog/gerbil/ did it.  I just bought her the book and stickers etc. and plan on giving her all my photos and the little pieces of advice that her guests wrote for her.  She loves scrapbooking, so it is her new project :-)


The guest of honour showed up looking lovely as always, and she had a great night with friends and family.


This was my first time hosting a bridal shower, but I think it was a success.

I just love party planning!!

Do you like to plan things? Parties? Events? Camping trips? Work gatherings? Vacations?  
What is your favourite type of thing to plan?

My favourite thing to plan is a small, themed gathering. 

24 comments:

Amber said...

Wow! I would say you did an AMAZING job hosting your first bridal shower. The decorations all look amazing!

lauri (redheadrecipes.com) said...

Your spread looks yummy! Especially the cake pops!

I've hosted a few baby/wedding showers and 2 welcome home parties for my husband (he's been deployed twice). I enjoy it all really... the planning,the prepping, decoratin, and especially the smile on the guest of honr's face :)

Looks like your first shower was a HIT!!

Jessica @ Dairy Free Betty said...

Wow girl, you did do amazing, it was gorgeous and you can feel the love through it all!! :) Great job!

Anonymous said...

Your sister must have felt like the most special, spoiled, and loved person in the ENTIRE WORLD! You did an amazing job and it shows just how much you love it!!

Simply Life said...

oh wow! everything looks absolutely beautiful! well done!

Kitchen Belleicious said...

it all looks so fun so delicious and so great! kuods!

DessertForTwo said...

Such a pretty party! How sweet of you to cook all that and decorate :)

Kacy said...

Love the dress! Love the decor! You're such a fab hostess!

Anonymous said...

The house looks adorable. Your sister is so lucky to have you to do this for her :)

Alaina said...

This looks amazing Jo! Leah must have been thrilled. You are truly the hostess with the mostest! So thoughtful.

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

You did an amazing job! That food table looks like it was to die for. What a special and memorable event for your sister. You are definitely the hostess with the mostess!!

Joyti said...

I like planning dinner parties.
And you are a sensational matron of honor. The ice cubes! The cake pops! The way you followed the theme...
O, and your sister is so pretty.

Anonymous said...

Wow - you did such an amazing job!! I like planning things but I'm not very good with getting them together....i.e. being the person to actually host an event. Does that even make any sense? haha

winkingannie said...

You did a gorgeous job! I'm very impressed and am sure your sister loved it!

Anonymous said...

Oh my God - you are SO the perfect party planner! I knew it and know it now for sure. I'd have you plan all my things for me - for any cost :)

LOVE the colors! ...and the food (what else is new).

sophia said...

Wow you outdid yourself, Jolene! Love the clean and simple theme, the sweet little touches. Curious: who planned your bridal shower?

Anonymous said...

omg. Everything is so gorgeous!! I can't believe her wedding is coming up so soon! You do such a fabulous job of planning and executing! I'm only good with planning vacations!

Kelsey Ann said...

this just shows how amazingly creative and naturally talented you are! you need a trophy for those ice cubes... freaking adorable, and would be fun to suck/chew at the end of the drink :)

the place looks fantastic! KUDOS :)

xoxo

Madeline- Greens and Jeans said...

You are definitely the queen of hosting. All of your parties always look fabulous and clearly you knocked the bridal party out of the park!

Anonymous said...

Fantastic job! Did you make the paper poms yourself? I've made them before for my daughter's birthday. They just are so fun looking.

I love planning parties and vacations.

Losing in the City said...

your sister should be so super proud and happy to have a sister like you... you did an amazing job..i love planning surprise parties.. and vacations..

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