"She has a party when her roses bloom...."

(*warning - waaaay to many details included in the following post. *snicker* some of you have requested "details" - so ask and you shall receive! those that are not interested, just scroll through the lovely photos. )

I helped host and pull off a bridal shower this weekend. The bride knew about the shower - when and where to be - but the rest of the details were kept under wraps - theme, decor, food, etc. We wanted to surprise her and I think we pulled it off!

I love musicals and there is a part in The Unsinkable Molly Brown where she talks about her neighbor having a party every year when her "roses bloom." It's an elegant affair, one that is always looked forward to, etc....I wish I had a yard for garden parties but that's one of the drawbacks of new construction. You start with zero "mature" landscaping. ANYWAY, I've always wanted to throw a party where their are lights in the trees, paper lanterns - you know - something straight out of Better Homes and Garden magazine. So that was my "thinking" or desire as we began to plan this bridal shower.

The happy couple is whisking themselves off to Jamaica to get married and then honeymoon so the invites were created in light blue, tan and creme to resemble the ocean and sand and begin to set the tone for the shower.






Then....location, location, location! My mother's front yard was just about as perfect as I was going to get. LARGE trees that created a canopy in the middle, quiet street and beautiful lawn. I enlisted the help of my husband and step dad to shimmy up the trees and out the branches wrapping them with white lights - I believe we used about 12 long strands and then attaching a few white paper lanterns. The outcome was perfect - classic, pretty, not over done and show stopping! (well the many people passing by slowed down, stopped and even commented on the decor)

Of course as the sun set and the evening settled upon us the atmosphere created by the lights just got better and better!










We set up round tables with white tablecloths and white chairs and set up a table for food and gifts as well.

The centerpieces were alot of fun to do and easy! I nice pile of sand in the middle with white candles and seashells and just a bit of blue sheer ribbon to add a touch of softness and color. We set each place with a tall glass goblet, fan folded a blue napkin in the top and then placed a blue plate and silver fork.

The food table was filled with bite sized goodies because who doesn't love to sample everything??? One of the dishes I made was these delicious brownies by Miss Paula Deen. They were a hit! Except I used 3 different chocolate bars instead of the three of the same as her recipe calls for - tricky, tricky....

Without boring you with too many more details (my goodness!) we also played a really fun game - Bridal Shower Bingo. The bingo cards were created in blue and each guest was given one while the bride opened up her gifts. This game allows each guest to play at their leisure while still enjoying the party, food and conversation - love it!

The squares contained items she might get, things she might say while opening the gifts or "events" that might happen. For example - other than specifc items listed on her registry there were things like - something for the honeymoon, something sparkley, something for Him, etc. Then there were squares saying "mother of the bride blushing", (guests name) rolling her eyes, a time squares as well - 8:00pm. So if were playing the game and it passed that time you could mark off the square as well.

The gifts were all "J" themed - jewerly, japenese lotion from Bath and Body works, jelly beans, etc. and we handed out 3 for bingos and 1 for blackout.

That does it! It was so much fun! Here's me and the beautiful blushing bride that night! I'd love to host a "lawn party" every year. Now I guess I need to get my own "perfect" lawn to do it in huh? LOL!