From top left: Green pinwheels; Watermelon Keg; Pink Dress; Party Straws; Watermelon Invitation; Watermelon Tequila Shooters; Circle Garland.
My sister-in-law Michele is getting married this July, and, as one of the bridesmaids, I’m excited to help plan her bridal shower. As a party planner, I can’t wait to go all out for Michele’s special day! Since we’re still pretty early in the game (her shower won’t be until June), I’m still in the preliminary, fun part of planning the party. You know, the part where you spend hours on Pinterest skimming through photos and designing a party you couldn’t possibly afford to throw? Yeah, that’s me.
However, I recently had a sit-down with the other bridesmaids and my mother-in-law to set a budget, nail down a guest list, and, most importantly (at the very least the most fun), pick a theme! After tossing a bunch of Bridal Shower Theme Ideas around the table, I pulled out my secret weapon… my wedding shower inspiration boards! On these boards (which I made in Microsoft Publisher), I included the color palette and compiled inspirational pictures of the decorations, paper goods, food, drinks, desserts, and even clothing that would match a theme. The inspiration boards did a great job at conveying the mood of the different types of themes rather than specific details of the party, which works great if you’re in the first stages of the planning process.
The board above is a watermelon themed shower, which I thought would be fun and festive for an early summer celebration. The color palette along the top (mostly greens and pinks with a spattering of black and white) is reflected in my photo choices, and the sweet mood of this theme is conveyed through the bright green pinwheels and pink balloons (not to mention the watermelon keg! YUM!).
From top left: Southern Brunch Biscuits; Bacon Parmesan Tassies; Green Garland Drink Table; Bloody Orange Mary's; Black and White Flower Invitation; Hydrangea Flower Bouquet; Photo Display; Shortbread Cookie Favors; White Hydrangea Centerpiece.
I also designed a Charleston themed shower (think sweet tea, hand embroidered details, black and white architecture, and a classic southern brunch). I was going for a relaxed, classy party that highlights special moments from the couple’s relationship. (Charleston is their favorite vacation spot!)
From top left: Somar Wine Bar Deck; Champagne Lollipop Favors; Diamond Ring Glass Markers; Bubbles Shower Invitation; Champagne Sign.
Finally, I came up with a bubbly champagne shower that would be located at our local wine bar. With a gorgeous patio and beautiful interior decorating, I based the color palette on the venue itself. All we would need to do is add a make your own mimosa bar and a sign that reads, “Time to Drink and Dance on the Table!”
In the end, I thought these three shower themes gave off widely different moods – sweet, classy, and fun! What theme did everyone end up choosing? … Charleston! (My absolute favorite, of course!) I can’t wait to begin planning this party in earnest, and make sure to look for updates later on as the bridal shower approaches. Good luck making your own inspiration boards during the planning process; they’re worth it!
NOTE: I tried to find and list the original links for many of the products pictured in my inspiration boards. Unfortunately, some of them were broken or lost!
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