Bridal Shower by Jessica H.

The Bride.

My beautiful friend Imogen is off the market.  (sorry boys!)  To celebrate, my other equally lovely friends, Jessica and Katherine, threw her a dazzling DIY bridal shower in the courtyard of Jessica's complex.  I loved it so much, I just couldn't keep it to myself.

click for larger view

I don't know how they did it, but they managed to dangle strings of Christmas lights and globe lanterns from the high perches of the dinner space.  We dined under the stars.

The color palate was clean and sophisticated.  I'm such a sucker for shades of Tiffany blue and coral.  After apparently chugging a supply of apple juice that could quench an small army, they painted the inside of small Mott's bottles with enamel paint.  FYI, enamel is excellent for such jobs, as acrylic will lift when water comes in contact with it.  Some well selected pink carnations and voila - an economic centerpiece that looks like a million bucks.

Baskets filled with antique roses and lunch bag lanterns helped define the parameters of the space as well as add a little romantic whimsy to the atmosphere.

 

Lunch Bag Lantern How-To

1.) Find white paper lunch bags at your local grocer.  Any color will do, just make sure the paper is thin enough to allow for light to bleed through.                                             2.) With a craft punch (scrapbook or stationary isle), punch a series of shapes into the upper lip of the bag.  Take care to punch them upside down, as you will then flip the lip around the top to create a "hem" around the lantern.                                              3.) Pop in an LED candle as the light source.  I try not to use real candles during parties.  Wine + fire does not mix well.

Playing a game of "Who Said It?".

 

Gettin' it.

 

Jessica has awesome taste in home decor.

I love Jessica's coffee table.