I'll preface this extremely long-form ex post facto review of my sister's bridal shower with this statement: I have never been to a bridal shower before. I tell you this not to humble-brag about how well it turned out, but to show you the frame of reference for hosting this momentous event in my sister's life. The lens of allegorical tropes through which I crafted this party. To put it bluntly—I based this entire bridal shower on things I saw on the internet while frantically attempting to host a perfect version of something I had never experienced.
Seeing something on the internet is always a gamble. It's like trying to pronounce a complicated word you've only seen written. Is what you're looking at realistic? But then again, if you saw it on the internet, it has to be true and accurate to real life, right?
This was my only option, though. I had no idea what a bridal shower would be like as a guest, let alone as a host. I had to resort to spending hours on Pinterest, looking through far too many blogger's takes on bridal showers, struggling to discern what pieces of a shower were traditional and "necessary", versus things that were entirely fictitious just because they looked good or were done by an exorbitantly wealthy person. But, I wanted to give that vibe, that aesthetic of a party hosted by someone with significantly more means than I could commit. And I wanted it to fulfill all aspects of a bridal shower. I wanted to host the best damn bridal shower anyone had been to, because it's the only time I'll be able to host a bridal shower for my sister.
The point of this entire series is to highlight all of the details and planning that went into this shower for posterity's sake and to have tutorials to help others recreate aspects of the shower at their parties. I'm really proud of what I was able to create, but I will attempt to be as realistic as possible about the highs and lows of the planning and preparation because it's misleading to include only the positive aspects of orchestrating a project.
Did I spend far too much time on this party? Yes. Did I spend far too much money on it anyway, after claiming I would keep it cheap and cheerful? Also yes. Was it worth it? Abso-freaking-lutely.
Below, as the subsequent posts are posted, you'll find a list of pages covering each aspect of the party, including recipes and patterns for handmade prizes.
The Bridal Shower in Parts
Part 1: Planning
Part 2: Signage & Decor
Part 3: Food
Part 4: Games
Part 5: Favors & Prizes
Part 6: The Event
Links coming soon!
A Teaser: The Invitation
What's Next
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✌ jcq
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