Garden
If you are planning to throw a shower party for a bride or an expectant mother in the spring or summer, make it a garden shower. Births and weddings are joyous occasions that deserve to be celebrated in special ways. Throwing a shower party in a beautiful garden makes the atmosphere charming and relaxing for everyone involved.
Tea Party Shower
Make the shower an elegant affair with a time-honored tea party. The women on your guest list might appreciate taking a break from daily responsibilities with a party that is reminiscent of a fairytale romance. Create a charming ambiance by placing round tables and covering them with white linens. Add white garden chairs (they can be rented from your local party store). To add a whimsical touch, decorate each chair with tulle bows that match the colors of your party. Set the table with your best tea china. It is advisable to use matching china for a tea party. Otherwise, make sure your unmatched china pieces seem like a deliberate choice; use patterns and colors that fit a certain theme to avoid a messy arrangement. Write each guest's name on a small tent card to indicate her seat. Set a flower arrangement made with flowers from the garden on each table. Name each table a different flower: "Rose Table," "Daisy Table" or "Violet Table." For the menu, serve a wide selection of teas and small tea sandwiches.
Be creative with baby shower or bridal shower favors and have them match the tea party theme. For example, you can purchase tiny tea sets from toy stores and write each guest's name on a tiny teacup. For a bridal shower, make tiny bouquet arrangements with flowers and tea herbs such as lemon balm and lavender.
Evening Garden Shower
Have the shower take place on a warm summer evening. If your guest list includes both men and women, an evening shower taking place outdoors is a relaxing option that is fun for both genders. Rent outdoor lights to be placed around the garden for ambiance and for the safety of your guests. Hang lanterns around the garden for an instant party atmosphere. A smart option is to rent outdoor heating lamps in case the weather turns chilly at night. Create a menu with barbecue dishes that are prepared beforehand (you do not want your guests to suffer from barbecue fumes during the party). Cook kebabs with various meats and cut vegetables. Make sure to have vegetarian kebab options for non-meat eaters. Afterward, serve s'mores or cake with refreshments such as fruit spritzers decorated with tiny umbrellas. To add to the outdoors theme, use large leaves in place of coasters. Instead of a floral centerpiece, use photos of the bride or mother. Print photos in black and white on vellum paper, and place them in three-hinged photo frames. Finally, add a votive candle inside the three-hinged frame to create a lovely centerpiece for the guest of honor.
Tags: around garden, bridal shower, each guest, each guest name, each table