Take a peek at the Engaged editor’s wedding shower, held on her parents’ patio.
Photography by Eder Baptista | @eazy_shoots
Bridal or wedding showers allow engaged couples to celebrate their union before the big day. The couple also get to return home with gifts for their abode and/or cash gifts to help with wedding or honeymoon funds.
To save money, my parents hosted my husband Bruno and I’s bridal shower at their house. This also allowed them to use the newly renovated patio that they’d been waiting all winter to utilize. We invited the women in our families, as well as my father, my brother (the photographer) and his son, Davi. It was a scorching Sunday morning in June, so one thing I would have done differently is rent a large tent to keep the entire yard cool. For those who wish to host an outdoor shower in the summer, I suggest doing the same! Regardless, it was a beautiful sunny day filled with love, and having the bridal shower made the anticipation for our wedding day that much greater.
If you’re planning your shower, decide which time of day you want it to take place: Are you an early-morning brunch bride, afternoon tea in the garden gal or dinner in the city chick? Whichever theme or time you choose for this event, read on to check out some tips and inspiration I used to personalize this special day.
Pinterest Ideas I “Borrowed”
- Flower bar: My sister-in-law and bridesmaid, Stacy, oversaw this station. Frankly, Stacy helped with the bridal shower decor in several ways — as an owner of a Cricut machine, Stacy created the signage for the flower bar, welcome sign and mimosa bar. She set up the flower display stand and selected the flowers that would be used for bouquet making, accompanied with pink ribbons and newspaper print (a nod to our past as college newspaper staffers) to wrap the bouquets.
- Floral backdrop: Stacy also pinned fake flowers of various colors (specifically pink, blue, orange and purple) on a white wooden arch that served as an aesthetic photo background.
- The color theme: The palette was kept simple — the flowers, tablescape, centerpieces and signage were a combination of vibrant and saturated tones, matching the floral backdrop.
Bride on a Budget
- Delegate tasks to your bridal party and other friends and family so that all the planning doesn’t fall on you. You are busy planning a wedding, after all!
- If you’re going for a low-key vibe, hosting the shower at a family member’s or close friend’s backyard (or parents’ patio, like I did) saves you money that you would’ve had to put toward a restaurant or venue. Make it a potluck and have guests bring your favorite dishes. On the invitations, I asked guests to bring either doughnuts, ham and cheese sliders, traditional Cape Verdean breakfast foods, French toast or their signature dish.
- Use household items as a part of the decor, like Mason jars or reusable glass containers for the flowers or tea light candle centerpieces.
- You’re most likely spending a lot on florals for the wedding day — opt for fake flowers or petals for some aspects of the decor, like the centerpieces or as a cake topping.
- My brother, who also photographed our engagement shoot, donated his afternoon to take detail shots and photos of the guests throughout the day.
The Highlights
The games we played allowed guests to learn more about the couple of the hour, including He Said, She Said; Guess the Dress; and Who Knows the Bride Best. Cards were purchased on Etsy by my sister and maid of honor Melinda.
My favorite meal is breakfast, so guests indulged in brunch foods like muffins, bread, doughnuts from Allie’s Donuts in North Kingstown and a doughnut cake from Daily RI Homemade Donuts in Johnston, French toast casserole made by my cousin and bridesmaid Ailine, and other satisfying treats. Plus, my mother-in-law Catia made and decorated the delicious cake.