Category Archives: Real Parties

A Sweet Garden Bridal Shower

The world outside my window is so green right now, so this springtime garden bridal shower felt perfect to share. For this brunch bridal shower, Catalina’s bridesmaids set up a gorgeous mimosa bar and rolled up their sleeves to DIY all the flowers, including the adorable succulents each guest received as a party favor. Cute little donuts made for the perfect sweet spread, and guests played a few low-key bridal shower games, like sharing date ideas (to help keep romance alive!) or guessing the number of corks in a vase to win a prize. Thanks to Kathryn Hyslop Photography for sharing!

Photography and paper goods design: Kathryn Hyslop Photography | Venue: The Atrium | Donuts: Peace Love and Little Donuts

A Glamorous Chicago Bachelorette Party

An intimate dinner party in a glamorous Chicago apartment was the perfect night out for bride Nancy before her destination wedding in Cancun. The bride’s girlfriends—and one close guy friend—hosted her Chicago bachelorette party at DL Loft, a stylish apartment event space in the heart of Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood decked out in Parisian chic decor, including twinkling chandeliers and fluffy white throws. The guests arrived early to have their hair and makeup done, and then enjoyed delicious appetizers and dinner prepared by a private chef. The friends shared old stories and their favorite memories of the bride over flutes of champagne, while Angela Garbot Photography captured a few snaps.

Photography: Angela Garbot Photography | Event Design: Debi Lilly: A Perfect Event | Venue: DL Loft | Catering: Whatever Lola Wants

A Rose Gold Champagne Bridal Shower

Ingredients needed to put together a cute champagne bridal shower like this yourself? Cupcakes, roses and plenty of champagne. Christine of Entwined Weddings created a champagne bar using balloons as the bubbles and a cute chalkboard sign telling guests to “Pop the bubbly, I’m getting a hubby.” Bright orange, yellow and pink accent the rose gold color palette, making for a bright, cheerful setting. We’re especially obsessed with the mini Tears of Joy tissue boxes! So cute!

Photography: Entwined Weddings | Floral Design: Prudence & Sage Events | Invitation Design & Chalkboards: Chalk.Ink.Style | Rentals: CORT Party Rental | Baked Goods: Pacific Northwest Cupcakes

A Cheerful Citrus Bridal Brunch

For this beautiful citrus bridal brunch, a group of vendor pals got together to plan the perfect fresh and modern party—and take a turn in front of the cameras! A palette of light aqua mixed with lemon, lime and orange gave this party an almost tropical vibe, while beautiful greenery was the perfect contrast to the bright summery shades. The menu included lemon tarts, mini blackberry pancake stacks and a warm spinach and cheese quiche. The team took the time to tie the theme throughout the entire apartment, framing coordinating wall art, styling a bar cart and creating linens to match the color palette. Each guest took away a coordinating custom pouch.

Photographer: Kelsey Nelson Photography | Event Planning: Magnolia Grove Weddings and Events | Staging: Minted Spaces | Invitations and Bar Sign: Raleigh Calligraphy | Design, Paper Goods, Pouches: Shelby Dillon Studios

A Destination Wedding Bridesmaid Dinner in Austria

When Catherine of Wild Connections Photography was planning her destination wedding, she felt that she needed to entertain her guests the night before the wedding. But when guests showed no sign of heading home as the night went on, she began to regret her decision. “I so desperately wanted to take care of the guests who had traveled thousands of miles to celebrate with us, so I organized a meet and greet at our apartment. But the nice, relaxing evening I had wanted turned into me playing hostess and almost losing my nerve when nobody would leave and all I wanted to do was clean up, have a bath and get a good night’s sleep.”After that experience, Catherine decided to partner with destination wedding planner Kajsa Reisenbauer to create an inspiration shoot for the perfect night before the wedding, this time spent with your bridesmaids relaxing, enjoying dinner and a glass of wine and pampering yourself before getting a good night’s rest. A beautiful holiday apartment in the Austrian province of Tirol made the perfect setting for this luxurious getaway.

A Woodsy Winery Bridal Shower

If you are a person who thinks you don’t like bridal showers, try adding wine. Ta-da! Now you love bridal showers! But seriously, Running Hare Vineyard in Prince Frederick, Maryland, was the perfect setting for this gorgeous bridal shower picnic for bride Andie’s family and friends. Matron of honor Caroline gifted each guest with mini pies from Andie’s favorite bakery and the ladies enjoyed cabernet and conversation in the sunshine. Costola Photography was on hand to capture the special moments from the winery bridal shower, including a mini photo session with Andie’s fiancé.

Photography: Costola Photography | Venue: Running Hare Vineyard | Mini pies: Charles Street Bakery

A Wekiva Island Tropical Bachelorette Bash

For this tropical bachelorette bash, the ladies headed to Wekiva Island, a riverside oasis just outside of Orlando, Florida. With kayak rentals, private cabanas, a sandy beach and a waterfront bar, this location is the perfect place to spend an afternoon with your girlfriends. Heart and Arrow Event Planning decorated this cabana with pineapples and flamingos and served the ladies refreshing watermelon popsicles and pineapple mango salsa. We love the laid-back vibe of this tropical beach party and the gorgeous moments captured by Tara Libby Photography.