in this issue
Bridal Shower-Power
Bride: Alice Field Wedding Date: September, 2010, Squam Lake Bridal Shower Location: Gould Hill Apple Orchard, Hopkinton, NH
A bridesmaid recounts how she created a bridal shower to celebrate the bride:
"Alice is my cousin and when I was 7 years old my mom and I moved to Concord. Our mothers took us on mother daughter outings pretty often. One of the first ones was to this orchard. I remember on our outing we got in the car to leave, and Alice and I sat in the back. When Alice finished her apple she turned to toss it out my window not realizing it wasn’t open. It splattered all over me! A classic Alice moment! It was memories like this, as well as the orchard being a beautiful location, that made it the perfect spot to host Alice's bridal shower."
"We had an array of foods and appetizers, and ingredients so guests could make their own sandwiches. The breads and cupcakes were made by a friend. The cupcakes were delicious! Chocolate with chocolate frosting, carrot cake, and lemon and chocolate mint. Alice’s fiancé calls her buttercup so the party was themed with buttercups. I ordered the cutest clay cake toppers from etsy.com. The guest book and invites were also buttercup themed and from etsy.com crafters, as well. Buttercups were not the only theme. On the invite we requested everyone wear their fanciest hat. We ended up with a great turn out of hats."
"We didn’t play games or guide the party in any particular way. People just enjoyed mingling and the food. We decorated the venue with ribbons and tulle from Michael's. I made canning jars into little light holders using ribbon, sparkles and glue. The table décor included vintage lace table cloths, flowers, and little fact sheets about the couple. The fact sheets were folded into the children’s origami game, “cootie catchers”. Some of the facts included where the couple like to eat, favorite colors, best features, how they met, and where they got engaged. I tried to stay with a rustic, vintage feel; fun but simple."
Photos by Deborah de Peyster
BRIDAL SHOWER TIPS
-Usually hosted by the maid/matron -of-honor or a close family friend.
-Immediate family, close relatives, members of the bridal party, and close friends should be in attendance. Those invited to a bridal shower must be invited to the wedding, unless the bridal shower is hosted by co-workers.
-The shower is usually held a few months to a few weeks prior to the day of the wedding.
-The party can be as formal or informal as you wish.
-The party can be hosted at someone's residence or at a restaurant.
-Although a gift is usually offered by the guest, it should not be as prominent as the wedding gift.
-Bridal showers are no longer limited to just the females. Wedding showers, or "Jack and Jill" showers, bring together both the bride and groom and their co-ed family and friends.