My favorite showers are absolutely always the ones that step outside of the traditional and really embrace the bride’s personality and unique interests. This Dia de los Muertos bridal shower is the perfect example, drawing on bride Seabron’s love of this Mexican festival as well as her vibrant tattoos done in the same style. A traditional decorated skull motif in citron and neon red ties the whole colorful celebration together, from the invitations to the margarita bar (one for me, please!). Christie and Nicole of Hey! Party Collective mixed authentic touches, like the Virgin of Guadalupe votive candles, with moments of pure fun, like the tiny Tabasco sauce favors at each place setting. The result perfectly captures the mix of dark and light, and the celebration of family (in this case, a new one beginning!) that is at the heart of Dia de los Muertos.
Category Archives: Real Parties
A Chic Chevron and Stripe Handmade Bridal Shower
Chalkboard signs and paper rosettes, patterned burlap garlands and chevron table runners…this shower is just bursting with handmade touches, all done up in soft greys and pale pinks—with a few pops of color, of course. Photographer Megan Small couldn’t wait to plan a handcrafted shower for her best friend (since second grade!) Hillary. Guest book idea I’m stealing: Have the guests sign a cookbook next to their favorite recipe—now you know what to make when they come over for dinner! Check out Megan’s list of the stellar Etsy vendors who helped her pull off the event below.
Photography: Megan Small Photography | Patterned paper rosette garlands: Jennifer of The Papier Studio | Faux chalkboard signs: Katie of Lane Love Designs | Burlap pennant signs: Jessica of Cuter Than Words | Chevron printables: Heather of YouMakeDo | Rosette centerpieces: Lili of Beautiful Paper Crafts | Hillary + Adam bicycle print: Michael of DexMex | Catering: Susan Jodon of Swanky Catering and Events
A Mad Hatter Bridal Shower
As a longtime lover of all things Disney, Kentucky bride Nickie requested an Alice in Wonderland theme for her bridal shower, and her bridesmaids were happy to oblique with this whimsical Mad Hatter tea party. Photographer and matron of honor Whitney Knutson used vintage books, floral tea sets (borrowed from many of the ladies who attended the shower) and prettily potted succulents to bring the infamous tea party to life. A patterned floral sheet served as a simple photobooth to capture a few sweet moments with the bride (in a royal blue dress, à la Alice!). I love all the little nods to the story that are scattered throughout the party. 
Photography: Whitney Knutson Photography
A Glitter Bachelorette Shoot in South Carolina
Bride Amanda chose a glitter bachelorette theme for this weekend on the sunny shore of Isle of Palms, near Charleston, South Carolina. Each of her friends came prepared with a sparkly outfit and photographer Paige Winn came up with the perfect prop to add extra glitz—shimmery confetti (bonus: it’s biodegradable!). You can tell from their smiles and giggles that this shoot was pure fun. The girls are positively glowing with energy and the result is just gorgeous! (P.S. Did you catch Amanda’s stunning ring nestled in a handful of confetti?)
A Sunshine and Wine Bridal Party Luncheon
Bride Jess went above and beyond for her bridal party luncheon with a wine tasting at Firestone Vineyards near Santa Barbara, California. Cheerful sunflowers dotted the tables in the outdoor picnic area as the ladies sipped citrusy izze sodas and noshed on cheese plates, one seriously impressive submarine sandwich and delicate French macarons. And can we talk about the bride’s style? I’m crushing over her cream knit lace dress and asymmetric bauble necklace. Photographer Nicole of Sorella Muse couldn’t help but enjoy herself throughout the wedding weekend as Jess encouraged her to take time out to just be in the moment—Nicole even gave a speech at the rehearsal dinner! Jess ended the bridal luncheon with a special gift bag for each of her maids—get the full list of her stylish picks below!
Venue: Firestone Vineyard
Photography: Sorella Muse Photography
Catering: Succulent Cafe
In the bridesmaid gift bags: Stella and Dot soiree stud earrings, TOMS in Earthwise Pink, Arden Living candle in lemon ginger, essie nail polish, BCBGeneration neon yellow LA tank, and monogrammed button-down for bridal prep!
A Warm Vintage Tea Party Shower (With Fancy Hats)
It’s all about old-fashioned charm at this tea party shower for bride Brianna in San Juan Capistrano, California. Each guest picked out a colorful hat to get in the spirit and enjoyed tea and cakes at the Tea House on Los Rios surrounded by kitschy-cute floral wallpaper straight out of your grandmother’s living room. The feeling is old-timey cool and oh-so cozy. The photography by Michelle at MK Studios adds to the vibe as the warm yellow lighting evokes vintage photographs. (My favorite detail: the literal shower going on in the clawfoot bathtub outside. Love it!)
A Modern Pink and Gold Tea Party Shower
Everyone should have a best friend in the wedding business. It always seems to result in beautiful bridal showers, like the pink and gold tea party Rachel of Blue Barn Photography threw in Raleigh, North Carolina, for her best friend Aly. The inspiration for the theme came from Aly’s love of vintage teapots, so Rachel borrowed delicate, colorful vintage china from her own mother and mother-in-law as well as Aly’s mom to create a cleverly mismatched set. Rachel found the fringed photobooth backdrop project on Pinterest and the other bridesmaids jumped in to assemble it the day of the shower. While the pink sodas and rosy teacups kept the theme undeniably girly, pops of gold and white throughout gave this tea party a chic moden spin. 
Venue: Pullen House
Photography and Paper Goods: Blue Barn Photography
Photobooth Project Inspiration: Confetti Sunshine
Photobooth Props: Ruffled