Alex’s Bridal Shower

I had such a wonderful time celebrating a special bride-to-be last Saturday afternoon!

I am honored to be standing as Co-Matron of Honor in my best friend’s wedding just a few months away. Preparing for these nuptials are extra fun for Scott and I, as he is standing as Co-Best Man on the other side!

The Alexes are getting married at the end of the year, and her black, white, gold, and silver shower was just a preview of what’s to come for the big day.

Cards designed using Canva

Both the bride’s and the groom’s mothers did a fantastic job gathering the decorations and hosting a shower for over forty women! I was put in charge of the games, and I loved the excuse to get crafty the week of the shower in order to make activities for guests.

The glass jar is from (it’s currently $3 in the front clearance section!), the wooden hearts, metallic pens, tweed ribbon, and chalk pen to write “date night” are from Michaels, and the chalkboard sticker is from Jo-Ann Fabrics. You can get killer deals at both of those crafting stores by downloading their apps for in-store and online coupons.

I found the idea for this Date Night Jar on Pinterest, and I am itching to make one for us!

I used wooden hearts instead of popsicle sticks for each shower guest to grab and write their best date night idea for the the couple in gold or silver. By the end of the shower, the bride had a jar full of ideas for future date nights with her groom.

The shower was held in the lovely home (actually, cozy and well-decorated basement!) of our friends Christy and Brian.

Each guest had an assigned seat and a fall-themed candle to bring home as a favor.

As guests arrived, the bride made her rounds to say hello and greet the loving women who came to celebrate her. Alex was given the task of creating a bridesmaids display, and I thought it turned out absolutely adorable.

Each frame displayed a photo of different bridesmaids with the bride, all of which served as gifts for the bridesmaids to take home. The middle picture introduced each member of the bridal party with a back story on how they know the bride!

The space began to fill quickly, and a mid-afternoon arrival time called for mimosas, shower-friendly salads, and treats to get the party started.

There was a variety of colorful and delicious salads all made by the mothers including pasta, broccoli, chick pea, spinach, and tuna salads. Christy made a tasty apple and grape walnut (Waldorf-like) salad alongside a large fresh fruit tray.

There were plenty of sweets to go around, and I just adored the cupcakes embellished with sparkles and chocolate covered pretzel sticks.

The couple is set to tie the knot on New Year’s Eve, and the touches of sparkle (the bride’s mother made herself) were a perfect fit. Both the mothers worked hard to create winter-inspired black and gold decorations to feature on the tables and throughout the room.

As everyone was settling into their seats, guests enjoyed food, drinks, and mingling.

It was nice to meet some of Alex’s friends and family members that I didn’t know, and also to reconnect with others I’ve seen more than a time or two!

I was given the task of coming up with a bridal shower game for the entire group to play.

I found this Who Said It? game online, and I figured it would be appropriate to make lips and bowties (instead of mustaches) for answer sticks, given the theme of the New Year and all.

The mason jars, tweed ribbon, and textured paper were purchased from Michaels and the long popsicle sticks were from Jo-Ann Fabrics.

I used the same questions from the site because they’re perfect.

Here’s the template I made if you’re interested in playing, too!

 

 

Before the shower, I emailed both bride and groom (separately) and asked them to answer the questions. I chose one answer per question to read aloud, and had the guests guess who said each one: bride or groom?

The lips and bowties were a fun way to see what everyone thought. A lot of the answers had the room divided and stumped!

Each guest was given a pen and piece of paper to tally their scores, and the person who answered the most correctly won a gift basket. It was a great way to kick off the party!

It was time for the bride to start opening shower gifts shortly after.

The groom came by to help her, and it was neat to see the couple get excited over gifts to put in the home they will move into together after the wedding.

Before the shower, the groom’s mother got the idea to share stories from both Alex and Alex while they open presents. I came up with eight questions and emailed four to the bride and four to the groom to answer. I compiled them into one document and cut them into cards for members of the bridal party to read aloud to the group in between presents!

Since guests might know the bride or groom better than the other, it’s an entertaining way for everyone to get to know the stories and details of their important dates, the engagement, and wedding plans.

The party started winding down after all the presents were opened, and we gathered the happy couple for a couple of pictures before it was time to say goodbye.

It’s obvious that these two will be surrounded by a group of loved ones who are thrilled to help them ring in the new year as a married couple!

The group of planners did a fantastic job hosting a bridal shower honoring two very special people. We are so thrilled for Alex and Alex who will officially be Mr. and Mrs. the very last day of 2015.

Three months and counting!