The Shower

My best friend is getting married in less than 2 months, and as Maid of Honor I had a great time planning and throwing her a shower. I am big into themes, if you haven't guessed. Give me a starting point and I will run with it! Michael's, once again was my inspiration. You might remember last year their dollar bin was the inspiration to my son's 1st birthday party. You can read those posts here and here. For this event, I found some vintage ladies paper goods. They had a fashion / sewing look to them. I used the blank cards for the invites.

 I picked a park pavilion at our Historic Bridge Park for the location, as I was looking for a "blank slate" for the decor I was creating. There are pros and cons to this. The pro, of course, is the blank slate. The con is that you have to bring absolutely everything you need. They already had 2 large picnic tables that would suit the guests. But then I brought my own 2 long tables - one for food, the other for gifts. Rather than use paper products, I was pleased to finally make use out of these vintage plate and cup sets I've had in my basement forever!

 The favors were notebooks from Michael's, the vintage ladies gracing their covers. Along with a box of chocolates tied together with lace.

 The picnic tables were draped in vintage table clothes, burlap runners, topiaries, and my wire mannequins that I usually use for jewelry shows.

 Using embroidery hoops, I created some hanging decor by having them hold vintage sewing patterns. I made paper buntings to hang in between each pillar out of scrapbook paper (most of it printed with vintage patterns).

 It was a beautiful day, but a bit breezy for my lightweight decor. Even though things blew around more than I would have liked, I would rather have that than any other kind of weather.

 Using another embroidery hoop, I tied lengths of ribbon around it to hang as a "chandelier".

 A flowy bug net is both functional and beautiful around the food table. Pedestals add height and interest.

 A special chair for the bride..... banner made with burlap scraps and chipboard letters.

 Carded buttons were also scattered on the table scape.

 These nail polish goodies (marshmallows coated in colored chocolate with tootsie rolls on top) went perfectly with the theme!

 The backdrop for the gift table was some more lengths of lace strung up.

 Chicken salad sandwiches, pasta salad, fruit skewers, tomato/mozzarella/basil skewers, cheese/cracker, cake, shrimp dip, and nail polishes made up the menu.

 Kristen & I

 Beautiful Bride!

 The Maids!

 The Guests!

 Excited, and blushing - as every bride should be!

I could not have thrown this shower without the immense help of those involved. Us bridesmaids divided up the food preparation, and they agreed to arrive early to help decorate. And, the main point of this post is to show how to throw an event on a budget or if you are interested in upcycling decorating instead of buying new. Here is the rundown on the details:

Vintage Tableclothes - borrowed from Kristen

 

Burlap Runners, Topiaries, Pedestals - borrowed from Jennie

 

Tables, Chair, Wire Mannequins, Glass Plates & Cups, Paper for Buntings, Bug Net - my own hoard

 

Embroidery Hoops ($1 each), Lace ($1 for big bags full), Carded Buttons (4 for $1) - Charitable Union

 

Vintage Sewing Patterns ($1 each) - Salvation Army

*I even wrapped my gift with the patterns, and used lace as the bow*

 

Vintage Ladies Cards for Invites (6 for $1) and Notebooks for Favors ($1 each) - Michael's

 

Hours of Crafting and Planning - priceless!

 

This theme was perfect because the wedding itself with be "vintage" in look. There will be burlap, lace, fabric flowers....... all handmade. Kristen volunteers at the Charitable Union, so it was nice to support them as well in purchasing so many things there. It all turned out so well and a great time was had by all! I am sure I am forgetting a ton of other details!

 

Photos by Lisa