I had the honor of hosting a Backyard Bridal Showerfor the daughter of a dear friend!I've literally watched the beautiful bride to begrow up since before she was even born.
With my three children not onlyGrown and Flownbut married as wellI jumped at an opportunity to host A Beautiful Backyard Bridal Shower at our homebecause I know what lovely lifetime memories can be madewith family and friendscelebrating the union of two people in love!
I also remember how overwhelming and emotionalall the wedding activities can beso it was my intentionto create a lovely afternoonwhere not only the bride to be could be celebrated but her mother as well.
Hosting such an important event was also the perfect impetus I neededfor Jeff and I to get our house and gardens in tip top entertaining shape.
With a ten week lead timemy to do list was long so my working timeline kept us busy the last couple of monthsto be sure!There is nothing like wanting to give people a memorable afternooncelebrating love and friendshipto keep home project motivation running high!
The last couple of months I have kept 3 project lists goingand after for years feeling like I had way too much time on my handsit's felt exhilerating!
I have decided to un retire and relaunch my Fashion Accessory business.This idea and goal has felt so daunting at times(read huge procrastination blocks)but having a firm deadlineof a party and the necessary preparation as a mustit actually helped unblock my business progress!
The old adage of 'if you want something done , give it to a busy person'still works!
My three project list ofBusinessHouse and Garden Projectsand Bridal Shower Prep
kept me motivated and accomplished!
I have entertained for decades nowso I feel very comfortable and organized.The outlier and uncontrolled factor for this partywas our weather.Here in Southern California we have two months of May Gray and June Gloomin which drizzle and wetness can be an almost constant.
So for the bridal showerI had to be able to transition The Garden Party Themeinside if need be.
I decided I could easily embrace the cold and weteven in June with a fire in the fireplace and an abundance of candlesalways reminding myselfof the most important part of any party
How you make your guests feel! Decorations and Food are always just supporting players.
We actually go So Lucky with the party weatherit ended up to be a picture perfect sunny afternoon!
Before I go further with the party prepa note about what I woreand just how important an outfit I love is to me when it comes too entertaining.
To have an outfit I am already familiar withis comfortablemoves easily but with enough substance and dramathat make me happy to be meis always one of my key entertaining boxes to be checked.Pockets ... always a big happy bonus!
And of course a great shoe!My cream wooden clogsfit the bill.Comfortable for backyard entertainingyet still stylish and fun with my outfit!
For me an entertaining outfit that I lovegives me joy and confidenceso once my guests arriveI can put all of my focus on them!
I always believethe better we feel about ourselvesthe more we have to give to others.
Now to the actual Backyard Bridal Shower
It started withA Welcome TableOur house is small and compactbut I never have wanted that to limit my entertaining.I enjoy the challenge of getting my spaces to expandto accommodate entertaining many.
To do so we moved our dining table back against the wallto create a better flow to our gorgeous backyard.
Upon arrival each guest was warmly greeted and then asked for their preference of drinkand then welcomed into the backyard.
I know as a party guestI often come with a bit of nervesso I always so appreciate not only a warm greetingbut also a glassit's an immediate way to feel connected and a part of the gathering.
I also always appreciate a glass, glass as well.
Our welcome table was simplewith choices of champagne, mimosas, sparking lemonadesand sparkling waters.A champagne glass with a wedding ring charm finished the presentation,
The Welcome Tableneeded to be a focal point for the celebrationso I needed an extra large arrangement.
So to help keep the party on my budgetI started with a very large potted plant.This beautiful potted dahlia was a Mother's Day giftfrom my gorgeous girl!I loved it so much it's been my dining room centerpiece for weeks!
But it was getting to it's blooming endso to fluff it for the partyI just tucked in vases of fresh flowers!I used vases of large white mums and white peonies I was so happy with the level of party drama it created!
I will certainly be addingusing potted plantswith vases of fresh flowersto my entertaining styling ideas!I always enjoy getting the most bang for my buckwhether it be what I wear or how I decorate!Now that the party is overthe potted dahlias are planted in my garden in a place of honor!
Speaking of bang for my buckI ordered Papel Picado banners also known as Mexican Wedding banners, from Amazon HEREto carry out my Bridal Garden Party Shower Theme.
For the table I just laid them out for a contemporary feelagainst my primitive hand crafted dining table.A blue antique folding screen behind the floral arrangementkept the eye from traveling back to the wallso the focal points remained just where I wanted themon the welcome trays and flowers.
For the Backyard Garden Party ThemeI pulled all of my colors fromthese sweet invites I had printed from Minted HEREI chose the invites because they encapsulated the gathered garden feeling I was going for.
I am a big believer in old school mailed invitesas a perfect way to set a tone and excitement for any event.
I also got really lucky at Trader Joe's for all of my flowers!I was at ours first thing Friday morningwhen they get their floral shipment in.
To make these simple arrangements I started with flowering privet I harvested from my courtyard.The greenery provides a perfect frameworkto build the petite bouquets.
Our backyard farm table is over 10 feet longso running small arrangements down the lengthmakes for a feeling of simple abundance and luxury.
You can see how much Bridal Shower punch the Mexican Wedding Banners addWe also had them in the frontarched between trees for a dramatic'the parties here' feel.
Lunch was served buffet styleso I had placemats set out throughout the backyard tables.
Personal Photos Folding ScreenAnother party idea I was happy withwas bringing out my wooden folding screenthat Jeff made for me years ago.I added the wedding banners to the panels.
Then I added photos of the Bride to Befrom over the years.Her mother had collected the black and white picturesthe last couple of months for this project.
It ended up to be such a personal touchand was such a fun talking point for guests as they arrived in the backyard.
I purposely put it in the far back cornerto help pull people further out into the yardand it worked really well!
For a gift table I simply draped a blanket over our vintage cart.It also helped pull people out and didn't take away from any decorinstead it created another fun focal pointonce all the presents were there!
We replaced our fire pit and awning chairswith our round table and wire chairs.
I purposely designed our middle patioto flex season too season.In the chilly winter monthsit's a cosy fireside spacein the summer months it's intimate alfresco dining space!
Our waterfall along with backyard speakersalways provides even more outdoor ambience.
I added more of the banners to our backyard photo backdrop.It was so fun to see the multi generational photos being taken during the party!
All of the food was beautifully made by my amazing husband!In our family Jeff has always been the chef!
In line with the gathered garden themethe light lunch consisted of a spring pasta salad ...
Homemade hummus with roasted vegetables, naan bread and pita chips.
These simple tiered treats were a huge hit!
The beautiful Bride to Be, Briaand her lovely mother, Triana!
Our kids grew up together on the street.So it was such a lovely opportunity to bring friends and old neighbors togetherto celebrate the upcoming nuptials!
I hope you've enjoyed your visit hereand found ideas that you can incorporate into your own entertaining life!
Thank you ever so much for visiting!Leave a comment it you feel inclinedthey always make my day!
As always my friends
I wish you love and joyas you style your life
