Tag Archives: bridal shower

A Lovely Peacock Blue Bridal Shower

Sometimes you have to take a moment to honor style—and this bride has it in spades. At first, you’re smitten with the floaty tulle skirt of her dress, accented with vibrant peacock feathers…and then she turns around and you’re like oooohh, lace back with buttons! And though her cobalt blue suede pumps might threaten to steal the show, it’s bride Rekha’s absolutely radiant energy that makes these snaps by Kimberly Photography so special. In every photo you see beaming faces—in fact, the theme of the shower could be love. Well, love and peacock feathers, of course. The vibrant blues, greens and purples used throughout the decor give an almost royal vibe to this beachfront shower in sunny Brandenton, FL.

Photography: Kimberly Photography | Gown: Olga’s Bridal | Hair and Makeup: Jessica Harjani with Michele Renee the Studio | Cake: Cakes by Ron

A London Garden Tea Party Shower

Bright colors, a pretty garden setting, lots of laughter, a candy-covered cake…what’s not to love about this thoroughly modern London tea party shower, captured by Ronnie and Rose Photography? The formal table set in the vibrant green back garden gave the occasion a Mad Hatter feel, as the ladies enjoyed tea and cake and mugged it up a bit with tiny hats and neon sunglasses. And though the toilet paper wedding dress tradition can be a bit silly, sometimes silliness must be embraced! Bride Nicky and her friends took paper fashion to a whole new level, creating flowy designs to model on their makeshift runway.

Bridal Shower & Bachelorette Game: What’s in Your Cell Phone?

I have to admit that I’m totally guilty of spending way too much time on my cell phone. When I go on vacation, I intentionally “cell phone detox,” which means no email, no social media, no texting—and it’s awesome. That said, why not put all our obsessive Instagramming to good use? I’ve updated the traditional “What’s in your purse” bridal shower game for the smartphone generation. Ultimate Bridesmaid presents the What’s in Your Cell Phone game

I’ve created two free printable games for you. One is appropriate for a bridal shower with mixed age groups (i.e., even your mom should be able to play). The second one is designed for a bachelorette party, with questions geared toward the younger crowd that include a few racier requests. I’ve also give you the full list of questions after the jump in case you want to select the questions that you like most and create your own printout.

Don’t just pass out the sheets and let people fill in their scores though. Have the host read each question aloud and then ask guests to share their answers when appropriate. Guests can use their sheet to record their score, but make sure you keep everyone engaged and talking. Share the photos you have to hunt down, make them admit if they have Candy Crush and find out who scores the highest on rounds that award multiple points.

Make sure to download the PDF versions from the links below for the best printing results:

Bridal Shower What’s in Your Cell Phone Game

Bachelorette What’s in Your Cell Phone Game

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Camping Bachelorette Inspiration Board

Inspired by this Hiking Hen Party in Andalusian Spain, I decided it was long past time to put together an inspiration board for one of my favorite bachelorette themes: camping (strangely almost always referred to as “glamping” in connection to a bachelorette party, no matter how glamorous or otherwise the accommodations). Whether you set out in a cool vintage trailer, pitch a tent or rent a rustic mountain cabin (like this renovated barn in upstate New York that I am seriously dying to stay in, hint hint friends and relatives), getting back to nature with your girlfriends is a relaxing escape from wedding planning and a time to recharge and reconnect. I’m slightly obsessed with this “coffee, mountains & cabins” sweatshirt (a perfect gift for the bride-to-be) and P.F. Candle Co.’s campfire-scented candle (send one home with each of your guests to remind them of your woodland retreat). Dress up the campfire area with these DIY floral camp chairs and a flower campfire mandala, and spend time cooking, sharing stories and secrets and stargazing around the fire. Find more ideas on our Camping Bachelorette Party Pinterest board.
From top to bottom, left to right: Cabin sweatshirt, vintage trailer, candle, breakfast, camp cooking, the barn, campfire drinks, mugs

A Sweet Strawberries and Champagne Garden Bridal Brunch

This garden bridal brunch inspiration shoot perfectly demonstrates something I firmly believe: Beautiful does not have to equal expensive. Simple touches like a vase of tulips and sweet strawberries to top the champagne glasses add pops of red to tie the rustic decor together and accent the natural beauty of this inviting Georgia garden. Plus, you’ll never believe where that gorgeous cake is from…the Publix bakery! Well, the inside is at least. “We scraped off the original icing decorations and used a spatula (and a little warm water) to rough up the way-too-perfect grocery store look,” says photographer Lydia of Mintwood Photo Co. “Add a few sprigs of rosemary and sliced lemons to the top and ta-da!”

Photography: Mintwood Photo Co. | Party game: Beau Coup

A Modern Whimsy Poolside Bridal Shower

Bride Hanna’s closest friends all lent their considerable talents to create a beautiful poolside bridal shower at this modern home in Palm Springs (an AirB&B find with a rock ‘n’ roll vibe). The DIY bridesmaids created two tablescapes that day: First, they took the opportunity to mock up the design for the wedding—a rustic, natural spread incorporating simple eucalyptus leaves and the stunning hand-drawn programs by Kathy Choi of A Young April—before transforming the patio into a playful, whimsical retreat for the bridal shower, introducing cabbages as greenery, quirky little owls and soft, feathery florals and tassels. Photographer and friend of the bride Jessica Park says her favorite moment of the day was, in fact, one of the simplest: “We were all just sipping on our homemade sangrias around the table. Shoes off, feet up, completely relaxed, and chatting away on a beautiful sunny day.” Which is exactly what a bridal shower should be all about.

Photography: Jessica Park Photography | Stationery & Printed Paper Goods: Kathy Choi of A Young April | Floral Arrangements and Crown: Stacy Seow | Frills + Tassels: Jihan of Geronimo Balloons

A Glittering Pink High Tea Shower in Sydney, Australia

If you’re gonna go pink and glitter, you should really just go all the way—as evidenced by this gorgeous glittering pink high tea shower shot by Ducky Jessica Photography. DIY bride Helena created a girly glam wonderland of pink balloons and flowing fuchsia streamers in her Australia home. But this tea party theme is far from the traditional—it’s Marie Antoinette a la Sofia Coppola, the Mad Hatter on a sequin spree. Soft flower crowns were the perfect unexpected accessory, adding softness and a natural touch. Guests sat down to high tea before popping the glitter-dipped champagne bottles and retiring to the patio to enjoy the Sydney sunshine.