A little bit boudoir, a little bit garden party, this bridal shower is all-the-way stunning. The bride and her maids took an afternoon to relax on the beautiful grounds of The Condor’s Nest in Southern California. Though brides choose to do boudoir sessions for a lot of different reasons, the idea behind this party was very much about being comfortable and relaxed with your best friends. All the girls wore soft pastel tulle skirts, comfy cotton corsets and delicate flower crowns. The ladies gathered in the greenhouse for macaroons and champagne, which they then took out to the pool’s tiki bar for some time in the sun.
Your best friend is getting married. You’re her maid of honor. It’s all great. You’re ecstatic. Except for one little problem: You HATE public speaking. You’re petrified about giving that toast at the reception. You haven’t spoken publicly since that incident in history class senior year and no one wants a repeat of how that went. Well girl, it’s time to face your fear. Giving a toast at the reception is part of your responsibility as a maid of honor. And you CAN do it.
First of all, preparation is your friend. You may be tempted to wing it, because this allows you to put off thinking about the speech, and thus experiencing some of the stress, until the last minute. Resist this temptation. Having a prepared speech will not only help your nerves, it will also help you deliver a speech you can be proud of.
Stuck on what to write about? Take a look at these speech writing prompts and my advice for how to get started with writing. The good news? I’ve already got your first sentence written for you. Start with “For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Caitlin and I’m the bride’s sister/best friend/sorority sister/former roommate.” This may sound like a boring opening, but unless you know every single person at this wedding, it’s important to mention who you are and your relationship to the bride.
One way to approach the speech is to think of it as writing a personal letter to your best friend, telling her why you are happy for her on her wedding day. But remember to factor the groom into your speech. It can be tempting to tell all your favorite stories about you and bride—how you met, the club you started in middle school, that road trip you took in college, that one crazy night in college. But remember that this speech is about the bride and the groom. Talk a little about yourself and the bride, but make sure her man gets mentioned too.
If you want to incorporate a poem, song lyrics or a religious verse that you think will be meaningful to the couple, that’s totally fine. This can be a good option for those who hate public speaking, since it’s often easier to present words that someone else has written rather than your own thoughts. Just don’t let that be your entire speech. It’s important to include some personal remarks about the bride. She chose you to be her maid of honor because of your special connection. Use the poem or verse as the middle of your speech and bookend it with a personal introduction and explanation of why you think this verse will be meaningful to the bride. Then finish with remarks on why you think the couple will be a great match, your favorite story from their courtship or your well wishes for their happiness together.
Forget trying to memorize your speech. You’re already nervous, and there’s absolutely no reason to add another hurdle for yourself. It is perfectly acceptable to read your speech from a printout. Keep it to one typed page. You really do not have to talk for that long. Two or three minutes is completely fine. Double space your speech and set the font size to 12 or 13 (or even 14). You want it to be super-readable and easy to follow.
Now practice reading it. Out loud. Over and over and over again. The first time you read it, you aren’t going to be able to look up. But when you actually give the speech, you’re going to want to take a few pauses to look up at your audience. Practice looking up and smiling. You’re happy, remember? If you have to write in cues for yourself, like in a script, go right ahead. Like this: [Pause, look at Amber, smile.]
You’ve heard this before and you’re going to hear it again. Don’t just read the speech to yourself. Recruit a listener. They aren’t there to give you advice, they are there to be your crowd stand-in. They are helping you get used to saying your speech in front of other people. Pick someone who you are very comfortable with. You can even ask them to read the speech to you! Hearing how they read it may help you with your own delivery.
When you get to the reception, resist the urge to indulge in liquid courage. A drink is fine (depending on your tolerance, of course), but don’t overdo it. Liquor really won’t be your friend once you get handed the mike, and an earnest if jittery speech is going to be much more appreciated than a slurred, boozy one.
When it’s time to read the speech, hold your printout away from your face. If you have a podium to work with, set the paper down (this is when your large font size comes in handy). If not, keep your elbow at your side to achieve the right height. You want the guests to be able to see your face while you’re reading.
Keep yourself slightly turned toward the bride and groom while you’re speaking. You don’t want to turn your back on the other guests, but focusing on your best friend and looking at her may help your nerves a bit. Here’s a little trick for you: If you wear glasses or contacts, take them out/off during your speech. Not being able to see the eyes of those watching you can really help relieve that feeling of being watched. You’ll feel a bit safer in your own private sight bubble.
Finally, end your speech by raising a glass and toasting the couple. It’s the guests’ signal that your toast is over and it’s time to take a drink! Then give the bride a hug and enjoy the rest of your night. You did it!
Calling all bridesmaids past and present: We need your help! It’s been a few years since we did a bridesmaid survey and we are kind of dying to know the state of bridesmaiding today. I learned a lot from my first survey and I think I’m going to learn even more this time. It is super-quick, we swear. Just 14 easy multiple choice questions about things like your favorite bridal shower themes, the places you’ve traveled for bachelorette weekends and the best and worst parts of being a bridesmaid. Hopefully we’ll learn a little about what it’s like to be a bridesmaid today AND I can better help you, our readers, by providing articles that address the real problems you have and the things you are really searching for!
I love the idea of a snowy winter escape. It’s perfect for a laid-back bachelorette, or just a much-needed getaway with your girlfriends. Erin from Fuller Edge Photography had just such an adventure when she and a few friends took a girls getaway to Lake Louise in Alberta, Canada. The ladies started the day off with a brisk sleigh ride with Brewsters Adventures, which took them all around the lake, affording gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains and forest. After a quick thank you to the horses and a turn on the ice, the ladies made a lunch stop at Baker Creek Mountain Resort. Sherrie of Oak & Meadow had packed an amazing picnic lunch (including spiked hot chocolate and whipped cream, of course), which they enjoyed around one of the resort’s roaring fire pits. Winter perfection.
When Leslie Knope first introduced the world to Galentine’s Day, it seemed like such an obviously wonderful idea that it’s kind of hard to believe it was dreamed up by a network comedy. I mean, we should have been celebrating this all along, right? (See also: Treat Yo Self.) And a Galentine’s Day party is the perfect way to ask your favorite ladies to stand by your side on your big day. We love the bold pink and gold color palette of this shoot, which also incorporates one of our favorite tricks for a statement wall: flowers + tape = fabulous. The Love Potion cocktail is the perfect accompaniment to a host of sweet treats, including delicate painted macarons, and each guest was greeted with a personalized “Will You Be My Bridesmaid” box.
So you’re planning a bridal shower or bachelorette party and need some ideas for simple yet stylish party decor? You know, something that’s going to look awesome but doesn’t require power tools and an MFA. Maybe you’re wondering how to arrange flowers in a creative way. Or you need a simple photo booth idea you can put together in a snap. Looking for inexpensive and easy but gorgeous party decorations? We’ve got ideas—50 of em, to be exact.
1.Love It Table Display: Some glittery paper, a bit of baker’s twine, metallic wrapping paper, a few fairy lights and ta-da! A gorgeous table display that she’ll absolutely love.
2. Hey Girl Law Sign: You had me at “hey.” This simple DIY yard sign will make a huge impact at an outdoor bridal shower (plus, there’s a bonus matching printable placemat!).
3. Confetti-Dipped Balloons: Balloons are probably the simplest and most inexpensive decor you can find—and there are plenty of ways to make them extra-special. Try adding metallic gold confetti (once you start dipping things in glitter, you probably won’t be able to stop).
4. Simple Conversation Balloons: It could not be easier to jazz up regular old balloons. Suddenly they look thoughtful and totally pop (well, not literally).
5.Kissed Balloons: I’m kind of obsessed with these balloons. Like, how could you not be? Carry the kiss theme through your party with a Dress Code: Red Lip theme.
6. Confetti-Filled Balloons: Add a pop of color to a simple clear balloon by filling it with confetti. Simple yet stunning, this DIY will be done in a snap.
7. Confetti Sticks: When in doubt, add more confetti. These cute confetti sticks make an adorable display on your table and a great favor as well.
9. Lace Curtain & Bedsheet Photo Booth: You’d never guess that this background is a combination of lace curtains, bedsheets and tablecloths. Sometimes the simplest things are the most beautiful.
10. Flower statement wall: Any flowers + colored washi tape of your choice = amazing statement wall.
13. Fringed Photo Booth: Need a bold background for a photo booth (that won’t take forever to assemble)? Look no further than this simple fringed backdrop project.
15.Honeycomb Heart: Have honeycomb diamonds, can create honeycomb heart. Perfect for a photo booth backdrop or a statement wall to draw the eye.
16.Kaleidoscope of Colors Paper Garland: Sometimes the right combination of simplicity and excess is the key—like in this simple yet stunning paper garland. It’s not perfect and regimented—it’s wild and fun!
17.Streamer Background: Feel overwhelmed by DIYs? Can you hang lots and lots of streamers? You can do this then.
18-23. Piñata-palooza: There’s something pretty spectacular about a piñata. Fill yours with candy, mini liquor bottles, light-up rings, temporary tattoos, confetti—whatever. Here are a few of our favorites: Diamond, Gilded Piñata Makeover, Pineapple, Lipstick, Watermelon and Taco.
24.Hanging Flower Chandelier: You don’t have to be a florist to made a strong statement with flowers. Choose full, long-stemmed blooms to create this stunning floral chandelier.
25.Flower Cans: We love finding innovative objects to use as vases. Tomato cans give a vintage vibe to these bright gerber daisies.
26.Gold Painted Vases: Add instant specialness to a vase by dipping it in liquid gold leaf.
27.Pineapple Vase: Hosting a luau? This easy trick will bring the island vibe to your shower in no time.
28.Popcorn Flowers: Who knew that popcorn containers filled with hydrangeas or ranunculus could look so much like the real thing! These arrangements were the perfect detail for a carnival-themed shower.
29.Tea Pot Planter: The perfect decor for your tea party shower. A pure white pot has a more modern look, or go for a vintage vibe with patterned mismatched china.
30.Scrapbook Paper Vases: Collect plain glass bottles and decorate with scrapbook paper and a bit of twine. This DIY is so fast, but the result is contemporary and oh so cute.
31.Bunting Banner: A great way to incorporate her wedding colors at a low cost. This simple DIY project uses fabric scraps, double-sided tape and a little fishing wire for major impact.
32.Rug and Pillow Seating: Mix things up by nixing the chairs. Mix and match an assortment of rugs and pillows for a relaxed outdoor dining experience.
33. Messages for the Bride: These clever bridesmaids covered a message board in wrapping paper to match the shower’s color scheme, then taped up envelopes for the months and days leading up to the wedding. Guests left both silly and serious messages of encouragement and love for the bride to read as her big day approaches.
34. Gold Confetti Table Linens: Fab alert! This killer gold table runner is actually made from metallic sheeting from Party City, sold in 15-foot rolls and perfect for making affordable look chic!
35.Black and White Letter Board: Simple yet bold, a sweet saying on a black and white letter board adds a perfect accent to your table.
36.Closet Bar: Short on space? Turn your closet into a bar. These bridesmaids draped gold tinsel in the back of the closet and added a gold-framed sign to create this whimsical moment.
37.Poolside Decor: These creative bridesmaids incorporated spring greenery, tons of tassel garlands and a cute and simple banner to create a whimsical poolside oasis.
38. Vintage Wash Tub Drink Cooler: Not everyone has a vintage wash tub lying around, but take a cue from this example and reimagine things you (or your grandma) already have in your home.
39.Flower Wall Sconces: I would have these in my house all the time if possible.
40.Travel Shower Suitcase Cake Display: A vintage suitcase made the perfect cake display for this travel-themed bridal shower. The bride also had a fruit and yogurt bar, so empty fruit containers serve as a great accent.
41.Flowers in Limes: Use this quirky styling trick for a fiesta bridal shower. We love the freshness of the lime green (not to mention the scent of citrus in the air).
42.Lemon Place Card: So cute, so easy and so fresh. Half a lemon and a few scraps of patterned paper or fabric are all you need to create this sunny little place card.
43.Glitter Craft Letters: The crafty ladies of Linen, Lace and Love created an Ice Cream Bar sign using craft letters from Paper Source and some spray paint, but you can use their method to create any message. Simple and stunning.
44.Confetti Poppers: While this DIY looks complicated, it’s actually incredibly simple. Which is our very favorite type of DIY.
45.Rustic Vintage Tree Photo Display: An antique glass water jug and a branch from the host’s yard made for a rustic natural photo display.
46.Picture balloon: Displaying pictures of the bride- and groom-to-be is always a nice idea. You can also celebrate the bride’s friendships by using pictures of her with the important women in her life, or use pictures of the bride throughout her life for the old “guess what age the bride is” game. I love this creative method of displaying the photos.
47. Gem Statement Wall: We’re a little bit in love with a “You’re a Gem” party. There are just so many cute decor options…like this statement gem-covered wall.
48.Rossette Tablecloth: Pretty patterned linens can be expensive. You know what’s not expensive? Lettuce. That’s right, this tablecloth’s bold pattern is made with lettuce.
49.Pinwheel Wall: Go crazy with pinwheels to create this statement wall. The paper decorations make a huge impact at an affordable price.
50. Floating Presents: Just wrap styrofoam blocks to pull off this trick. (Pro tips: Don’t wrap the bottom—these won’t last forever and leaving the bottom unwrapped will extend their life a bit. Also, only put them in the pool right as the party begins.)
So guys, I just stumbled across Bow & Drape and now I am obsessed. I know I need one of these bling-tastic totally-custom sweatshirts for my very own, but I just can’t decide what to put on mine! Ever since I discovered these I’ve been brainstorming cute phrases to slap on ’em, and I just had to share with you guys! Here’s how it works.
You can totally buy one of their super-cute designs, like the ones above. OR customize your own, whether it be a soft sweatshirt, a polka-dot metallic pouch, a knit beanie or a snuggly sweater for your furry friend (for reals). And if you’re feeling super-fun, pop on a little flair, like sequin lips or mini French fries.
Obviously my first thought was that these would be awesome gifts, either from the bride to her bridesmaids or vice versa. You could go classic and just get her name in hot pink sequins, or get creative! Add that phrase she’s always saying, a tagline from your favorite show or the way you met (College Roomies, BFFs Since 2nd Grade). Or check out some of my designs below (you can order them here).
