At one time I fancied being an event planner so when I'm hosting... I like to really throw a party when I do showers, especially for my sisters, but Steph had quite the guest list, it grew from 40 to 60 to over 80 within a few weeks.... and I was also pregnant with my 4th pregnancy myself, so couldn't afford to overdo it...
So...I suggested a garden "open house" style shower on a Sunday afternoon. People could come and go as they please, no shower games or prizes to organize, and a light menu since it's not lunch or dinner. Steph is having a boy, and they really love travelling and she likes vintage decor so my bff Jodi and I brainstormed some ideas for a vintage-baby boy-travel theme.
We planned on serving finger foods, desserts and cold drinks (cheaper than feeding over 60 people lunch for sure) - and I
Thankfully, the weather co-operated with us beautifully, early that morning we started trickling in an setting up. Here's a few before pics courtesy of our good friend Chantie who also did the favours and a bunch of stuff the day of... she is awesome, and if I ever do decide to go into event planning, I would ask her to join my team☺
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| Chantie and I (after I had "cleaned up" and put on a dress) |
The Gift Table
Rather than have one time of opening all the gifts, we directed the guests directly to Steph who opened the gifts as they arrived, and then we displayed them on the table.
This way, the flow of the afternoon kept moving along.
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| We stationed one of my other sisters beside her to write down who the gifts were from to send thank you's out later. |
The Sign In and Favour Table
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| The favours were provided by our friend Chantie - "B-shaped cookes in the cellophane) and in the bags were bath bombs in a couple of gorgeous scents. (I used mine at the end of this long day for my aching back - AWESOME!) |
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| We had this book for people to sign and add their advice, etc. Its also a photo album that Steph can add pics of the shower to later. |
Flowers
Almost all the flowers were pulled either from my garden or "harvested" from the plants growing at my husbands work (with permission of course - Thanks Honey!) Then they were arranged by one of the may helpers who showed up early. We collected a variety of small vases and canning jars, and then I asked for as many bouquets as possible to be made. Steph and her husband Cam also used the opportunity to finish off the barrels on their porch with plants from my hubby's work too.
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| On the Menu: Fresh veggies and dips, crackers with a variety of cheeses, nuts and spreads. my fav. was the brie with maple butter and pecans. Various fruits and sweets. |
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| To me, presentation is everything. We did up fruit skewers so we wouldn't need to use forks and it was an interesting way to display it. (The fruit was all brought in already chopped and washed by friends) |
The Beverage Station
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| We offered iced coffee, iced tea and 3 variations of lemonade. Originally we were going to use mason jars for the drinks, but a friend brought disposables and we opted for the ease in clean up. We also served champagne to celebrate thanks to the daddy-to-be. |
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| Many guests commented on this lovely piece for serving the lemonade. It was borrowed and kept stocked by our good friend Julie. |
The Cupcake Station
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| I am very blessed to have a good friend who runs her own very successful cupcake business. She gave me a great deal on the cupcakes which were enjoyed by all! Thanks Vanessa - check out her site here or her Facebook page here. Tell her where you heard about her too please☺ |
Misc Details
For the vintage travel theme we collected and borrowed globes,
small luggage pieces, atlases, maps, binoculars and books.
We also borrowed white vintage table clothes, serving dishes, quilts, and anything else.
These are small pics, but I love the mobile of trains and planes above the food table. The banner was done up by Julie with burlap, twine and fabric. She's amazing!
she also made this vintage framed chalkboard, just for the shower ♥
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| This is the closest to a game we got - no prizes, just something to look at and talk about. |
The Sistas (well 4 out of 5...sorry Jennette)
How We Enjoyed the Day
Guests enjoying the refreshments
Guests enjoying the company.
Special Thanks to...
Jodi - Invites & Planning
Sisters: Food, Set Up, Clean Up, Decor
Chantie - Favours, Set Up, Food, Decor
Christine: Favour Labels, Set Up
Sarah W: Food, Set Up, Clean Up
Julie: Decor, Food, Set Up, Clean Up
Lisa: Food, Decor
Laura: Food, Set Up, Clean up
Christina, Charmaine: Food, Clean Up
Food: Mom, Mom Marconi, Sheri, Laura,
Charmaine, Christina, Estelle, Amanda, Rebecca W
Cupcakes: Vanessa's Cupcakery
*A side note here - we decided that the most viable location would in fact be Steph and her husband Cam's large country property. They have a giant deck and are located beside a vineyard. Lovely natural decor and since it's their first baby, and Steph has run a cleaning business for several years - their house is ALWAYS clean. So it was not a big hassle for them to physically "host" the event and we didn't have the funds to rent a hall. Plus we felt it was the least stressful for her as she could take it easy while the rest of us did the work...and all the gifts were easily transported to the new nursery afterwards. So it was most easy on the new parents to be overall.
Another positive note, most everyone on the list RSVP'd, which I was happy about. If you don't remember my rant on this, click here.
Overall, we had a lovely day and Steph and Cam and the soon to arrive baby were very blessed. Thanks again to everyone! This mama is going to relax before coming up with dinner for 4 hungry men before daddy's ballgame tonight! ☺
