The Party Dress » bridal shower http://www.thepartydress.net Modern Ideas for Entertaining, Party and Wedding Planning Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:00:20 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Parties in Work: Spring Bridal Shower http://www.thepartydress.net/2012/01/parties-in-work-spring-bridal-shower/ http://www.thepartydress.net/2012/01/parties-in-work-spring-bridal-shower/#comments Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:43:40 +0000 Kelly http://www.thepartydress.net/?p=8770 We have SO many amazing parties in the works over at WH Hostess this month.  LOTS of bridal showers, some great themed birthday parties and {eek!} Easter parties!  Today, I thought I would share a sneak peek of a bridal shower that we are working on currently.

Tangerine orange was named the Pantone color of the year [...]]]> We have SO many amazing parties in the works over at WH Hostess this month.  LOTS of bridal showers, some great themed birthday parties and {eek!} Easter parties!  Today, I thought I would share a sneak peek of a bridal shower that we are working on currently.

Tangerine orange was named the Pantone color of the year for 2012, and trust me, you are going to see it used in so many ways!  We love our fresh combination of turquoise, tangerine and fuchsia pink – especially for a bridal shower!  This image of cupcakes perfectly shows our color palette (and the cupcakes are gorgeous!) It’s cute, in kind of a West Palm Beach prep kind of way, and has four amazing patterns that we are mixing and mingling!

Stay tuned for more details.  If this shower turns out as fabulous as we believe it will, you may just be seeing it in the Spring Magazine!  (I have an in with the editor! ;) )

Images: cupcakes (theweddingrow.com), tangerine and turquoise patterns (whhostess.com)

]]> http://www.thepartydress.net/2012/01/parties-in-work-spring-bridal-shower/feed/ 3 Monochromatic Medallions http://www.thepartydress.net/2011/09/monochromatic-medallions/ http://www.thepartydress.net/2011/09/monochromatic-medallions/#comments Wed, 07 Sep 2011 09:00:48 +0000 Kelly http://www.thepartydress.net/?p=8222 I’m always looking for new, interesting ideas for back drops for dessert tables or party set ups.  I am totally drawn in by this wall of white medallions I found on Country Living.  I think it could make such an elegant look for a wedding or [...]]]> I’m always looking for new, interesting ideas for back drops for dessert tables or party set ups.  I am totally drawn in by this wall of white medallions I found on Country Living.  I think it could make such an elegant look for a wedding or bridal shower!

]]> http://www.thepartydress.net/2011/09/monochromatic-medallions/feed/ 0 TPD Magazine: Bridal Bliss in Napa Valley http://www.thepartydress.net/2011/06/tpd-magazine-bridal-bliss-in-napa-valley/ http://www.thepartydress.net/2011/06/tpd-magazine-bridal-bliss-in-napa-valley/#comments Wed, 22 Jun 2011 09:00:16 +0000 Kelly http://www.thepartydress.net/?p=7971

The second edition of The Party Dress Magazine launched this week and is chock full of party inspiration!  I plan to highlight all of the amazing contributions on the blog over the next month, and to kick it off today, I thought I would share the images from my sister’s bridal shower I recently hosted in [...]]]>

The second edition of The Party Dress Magazine launched this week and is chock full of party inspiration!  I plan to highlight all of the amazing contributions on the blog over the next month, and to kick it off today, I thought I would share the images from my sister’s bridal shower I recently hosted in Napa Valley.

When it came time for my only sister to get married, I knew I had to plan something special to celebrate the occassion…..not just an ordinary bridal shower or bachelorette party…..something unique, something classy that I knew she would remember always.  With her bridesmaids living all across the country, it made it simple to decide upon a destination bridal weekend celebration, and six of us headed off to a lovely weekend in Napa Valley, California for wine tasting, amazing food, and a lot of quality girl time!

We finished the weekend off with an intimate bridal shower at Domain Chandon.  Brunch and champagne tasting were on the menu, and I worked with a natural color palette of nude, rusty orange and moss green.  Seeing as thought this was a destination shower, I had to limit my decor and goodies to things that I could either carry with me on the plane, or pick up along the way.  I chose to have a local Napa florist create and deliver a centerpiece, and I packed two of my favorite mini cake stands (which I dressed up with Mokuba ruffled ribbon, to hold macaroons from Bouchon Bakery and cupcakes from Dean and Deluca, which were topped with custom fondant rose toppers by Two Sugar Babies.

Like most restaurants, I had a very basic white tablesetting to work with.  Paper placemats from our Indian Summer collection brightened up the table, each napkin was tied with a coordinating ribbon, and I finished off each placesetting with a coordinating placecard.  A “he said, she said” game brought about many laughs!

My favorite detail was the party favors: custom wine bags!  A cotton weave on the outside (with each girl’s initial on them), and our Indian Summer tile print fabric on the inside.  Perfect for summer picnics!

]]> http://www.thepartydress.net/2011/06/tpd-magazine-bridal-bliss-in-napa-valley/feed/ 1 Pink & Green Summer Celebration http://www.thepartydress.net/2011/06/pink-green-summer-celebration/ http://www.thepartydress.net/2011/06/pink-green-summer-celebration/#comments Wed, 08 Jun 2011 09:00:18 +0000 Kelly http://www.thepartydress.net/?p=7606 We have done so many pink and green parties lately, that I am just swimming with ideas!  Whether you are planning a bridal shower (did you see the gorgeous one we posted last week featuring our exploded lattice collection?!) or a little girl’s birthday party (just WAIT until you see the birthday party we just did [...]]]> We have done so many pink and green parties lately, that I am just swimming with ideas!  Whether you are planning a bridal shower (did you see the gorgeous one we posted last week featuring our exploded lattice collection?!) or a little girl’s birthday party (just WAIT until you see the birthday party we just did featuring our lilly flower collection…..it’s debuting in the next issue of TPD Magazine!), or even a wedding – pink and green can be sweet, preppy, or sophisticated.

Images: invitation (minted.com), table setting (bhg.com), lemon creme brulee (bonappetit.com), napkin (brides.com), pink and green dessert table (goodhousekeeping.com), tulip and hydrangea centerpiece (floralartla.com), party favor cones (rebeccathus.com)

]]> http://www.thepartydress.net/2011/06/pink-green-summer-celebration/feed/ 2 Real Parties: Love Sweet Love Bridal Shower http://www.thepartydress.net/2011/05/real-parties-love-sweet-love-bridal-shower/ http://www.thepartydress.net/2011/05/real-parties-love-sweet-love-bridal-shower/#comments Wed, 25 May 2011 09:00:09 +0000 Kelly http://www.thepartydress.net/?p=7560 Today’s eye candy comes from a bridal shower that I recently created the paper goods for…..commissioned to do a custom collection for a very special shower on a private ranch in California, we created a sweet pink and green exploded lattice collection.  I just love how it turned out (and is currently one of our best [...]]]> Today’s eye candy comes from a bridal shower that I recently created the paper goods for…..commissioned to do a custom collection for a very special shower on a private ranch in California, we created a sweet pink and green exploded lattice collection.  I just love how it turned out (and is currently one of our best sellers in the shop – it works for a birthday, bridal shower, sweet sixteen party, or ladies lunch) and was amazed when I received the photos from the hostess – it turned out SO PRETTY!  I hope you enjoy the pictures!

Resources: styling by Lisa Witt • lapinphotography.com, paper Products by WH Hostess • whhostess.com, photography byMichelle Warren • mwfoto.com, cupcakes by Enjoy Cupcakes •  Los Olivos, California  enjoycupcakes.com, catering/custom bird cookies • Solvang Bakery Solvang,  California  solvangbakery.com, papers/table runner/linens • papersource.com, paper lanterns • lunabazaar.com
]]> http://www.thepartydress.net/2011/05/real-parties-love-sweet-love-bridal-shower/feed/ 0 Flower Power Cupcakes http://www.thepartydress.net/2011/05/flower-power-cupcakes/ http://www.thepartydress.net/2011/05/flower-power-cupcakes/#comments Thu, 12 May 2011 09:00:44 +0000 Kelly http://www.thepartydress.net/?p=7540 With Spring in full bloom here in Chicago, these cupcakes caught my eye!  All You Magazine has come up with three simple ways to dress up basic cupcakes to look like flowers using cookies, gummy candy and jelly beans.  I think these would be darling for a garden party birthday party, or a summer [...]]]> With Spring in full bloom here in Chicago, these cupcakes caught my eye!  All You Magazine has come up with three simple ways to dress up basic cupcakes to look like flowers using cookies, gummy candy and jelly beans.  I think these would be darling for a garden party birthday party, or a summer bridal shower.  Click here to find the how-to’s.

]]> http://www.thepartydress.net/2011/05/flower-power-cupcakes/feed/ 3 Shabby Chic Centerpieces http://www.thepartydress.net/2011/05/shabby-chic-centerpieces/ http://www.thepartydress.net/2011/05/shabby-chic-centerpieces/#comments Wed, 11 May 2011 09:00:08 +0000 Kelly http://www.thepartydress.net/?p=7536 I was perusing some of my favorite websites last night for some inspiration for an upcoming client’s party.  In looking for “shabby chic” centerpiece ideas, I stumbled across a sweet, playful wedding on Project Wedding.  These centerpieces totally spoke to me….I love the use of casual, colored glass, simple blooms and most importantly, the [...]]]> I was perusing some of my favorite websites last night for some inspiration for an upcoming client’s party.  In looking for “shabby chic” centerpiece ideas, I stumbled across a sweet, playful wedding on Project Wedding.  These centerpieces totally spoke to me….I love the use of casual, colored glass, simple blooms and most importantly, the wood crate!  I think you can take away great inspiration for a summer bridal shower, birthday party or casual outdoor picnic.  Click here to view the rest of the wedding!

]]> http://www.thepartydress.net/2011/05/shabby-chic-centerpieces/feed/ 1 Pretty in Pink http://www.thepartydress.net/2011/05/pretty-in-pink/ http://www.thepartydress.net/2011/05/pretty-in-pink/#comments Mon, 02 May 2011 09:00:27 +0000 Kelly http://www.thepartydress.net/?p=7506

Whether you are planning a birthday party, a bridal shower, or an extra-special Mother’s Day brunch, this collection of ideas is sure to inspire a party that is pretty in pink.  Shimmery accents of gold and rose, crystals hanging from candlesticks, and ribbon candy with an extra special luster….these are all ideas that are making me [...]]]>

Whether you are planning a birthday party, a bridal shower, or an extra-special Mother’s Day brunch, this collection of ideas is sure to inspire a party that is pretty in pink.  Shimmery accents of gold and rose, crystals hanging from candlesticks, and ribbon candy with an extra special luster….these are all ideas that are making me swoon lately!

Images: table setting and champagne glasses (theknot.com), invitation (weddingpaperdivas.com), fondant flower cupcake toppers (etsy.twosugarbabies.com), cupcakes (callmecupcake.com), ribbon candy party favor bags (brides.com)

]]> http://www.thepartydress.net/2011/05/pretty-in-pink/feed/ 2 Mimosa Bar: Colorful Spring Cocktails http://www.thepartydress.net/2011/04/mimosa-bar-colorful-spring-cocktails/ http://www.thepartydress.net/2011/04/mimosa-bar-colorful-spring-cocktails/#comments Fri, 08 Apr 2011 09:00:26 +0000 Kelly http://www.thepartydress.net/?p=7459 Anyone hosting a party this weekend?!  I shared one of my favorite entertaining ideas in the first issue of The Party Dress Magazine….a stunning mimosa bar!  You can step up the style at your next cocktail party or brunch with a colorful mimosa bar full of flavor and garnish options.  They are simple to set [...]]]> Anyone hosting a party this weekend?!  I shared one of my favorite entertaining ideas in the first issue of The Party Dress Magazine….a stunning mimosa bar!  You can step up the style at your next cocktail party or brunch with a colorful mimosa bar
full of flavor and garnish options.  They are simple to set up and offer the hostess a stunning, yet hands-off method for serving a crowd.  Simple touches, like a striking centerpiece or interesting linens, can make your table unique.

Create a balance of containers around one grand centerpiece to create this symmetrical look.  Square, cube vases in varying sizes were used to hold the champagne bottles on ice and fruit garnishes.  Oil cruets are used to house the various fruit nectars, and color-coded tags helped to identify and brand the table further.  Add a few rows of flutes and voila!

Do you like the drink tags?!  Well, it’s your lucky day!  Click HERE for a free download to use at your next party.

]]> http://www.thepartydress.net/2011/04/mimosa-bar-colorful-spring-cocktails/feed/ 4 Bridal Shower in the Vineyards http://www.thepartydress.net/2011/03/bridal-shower-in-the-vineyards/ http://www.thepartydress.net/2011/03/bridal-shower-in-the-vineyards/#comments Wed, 30 Mar 2011 09:00:09 +0000 Kelly http://www.thepartydress.net/?p=7401  

How in love with these images are you?!  I sure am!  I’ve been swooning over this centerpiece idea for a while now….and I now have the perfect place to use it!  In my free time {which doesn’t really seem to exist anymore!}, I have been planning my younger sister’s bridal shower…in Napa Valley!  Say [...]]]>  

How in love with these images are you?!  I sure am!  I’ve been swooning over this centerpiece idea for a while now….and I now have the perfect place to use it!  In my free time {which doesn’t really seem to exist anymore!}, I have been planning my younger sister’s bridal shower…in Napa Valley!  Say goodbye to these freezing, grey days here in Chicago – I’m grabbing the bride and her bridesmaids and we are taking off for a sunny weekend in the vineyards.  Sounds pretty fabulous, right?!  I sure hope the bride thinks so!

In addition to a few days of wine tasting, vineyard tours, shopping in the quaint villages, and eating at some pretty fabulous restaurants, I plan to end the weekend with an extra-special “bridal shower” at a sparkling wine estate.  Champagne tasting, brunch, and a gorgeous setting….what more do you need to plan, right?!  Come on…this is me….I have to throw in a few personal touches, right?!

Throwing an out-of-town shower poses a few logistical problems, and I’m wondering if any of you have ever done this before.  Did you use local vendors for everything?  Did you ship everything in prior to the event?  I would love to hear what you all think!

The images above are a few images I pulled together to coordinate with the invitation I designed for her…..I love the way it turned out!  I think you may just see it show up as a new collection in the shop soon!

Images: centerpiece (hatchcreativestudios.com), invitation (whhostess.com), cocktails (theknot.com), small centerpiece (josevillablog.com), placesetting (saltharbordesigns.com), mini champagne bottles (brides.com), overhead champagne shot (karljuengel.com)

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