Behind the Scenes – A Parisian Bridal Shower in Bridal Guide Magazine Part I

I wrote this post, what seems like forever ago when knee deep in plans for my best friend’s wedding shower last year.  Here we are exactly 1 year later and I’m over the moon to share the whole party as seen in the newest issue of Bridal Guide Magazine, on newsstands today!!

Cover

This snapshot taken in front of Notre Dame de Paris inspired the entire celebration.  We were young, full of energy and had the world at our feet.    I wanted to recreate the passion and life we felt that day standing in Paris as two feisty teenagers about to take on the world.  Amy’s shower was to be a celebration of tastes and color and life…just like that trip to Paris was for us back in 1995.

So this week I will be sharing an detailed look at Amy’s Bridal Shower!!

THE VENUE
Canteen 900 in Kingston, PA set the perfect stage for this spirited event. 50’s inspired furniture, reclaimed chandeliers and loads of natural light created a elegant backdrop.

THE INVITATIONS
Creating invites for my couples is always an adventure but doing the same for my best friend was quite the emotional experience.  Amy had a difficult time choosing her favorite wedding invitation and this storybook page Sculpted Bloom invite was one of her many favorites. As an avid reader, she adored the thought that real book pages were painted with watercolors, cut into circles and crafted into sweet daisy-like blooms.  The Sculpted Bloom didn’t make the wedding invitation cut, so enter the shower invitations!

In lieu of a traditional wishing well, guests were asked to bring a favorite book to add to Amy and Stephen’s library.  Enclosure cards were stacked and fastened to the lid of each mailer box with a strip of a storybook page!

Early in planning we collected black glass buttons for wedding decor but I couldn’t resist using them as flower centers here.

THE COFFEE FAVOR BAR
A fun build your own coffee treat bar was set for guests!

First a pretty mug was chosen, then flavor-infused fresh ground coffee was poured into small mason jars.  Next guests chose their favorite flavored sugar and finally wrapped all the goodies up in a hand painted tote along with a few homemade cookies!

Each tote featured a simple flower reminiscent of the Anemone bloom painted in white; a simple way to dress up a plain brown favor bag!! The Lucy Maud Montgomery quote was from our most beloved book series “Anne of Green Gables”.

“Life is worth living as long as there’s  a laugh in it.”

More later this week on the flowers, table decor, menu and talented team who helped me bring it all together!

Styling, Stationery and Design – Kristy Rice, www.momentaldesigns.com  ::  Photography – Amanda Brooke Photography  ::  Venue – Canteen 900, Kingston PA  ::  Vintage Dishes – Maggpie Vintage Rentals  ::  Linens – LaTavola Linens  ::  Flowers – DIY, www.FiftyFlowers.com  ::  Planning/Production – Danielle Pasternak Events, Maggpie Vintage Rentals