Oh hello blogettes! It’s been a long time since I’ve seen your faces :)
Life’s been moving 100 miles a second lately but I did need to pop in and share this sweet little event with you. In late April I received a sweet email from a client’s Mom. She was trying to plan her daughter and future son in law’s couples wedding shower but didn’t have the time or the know how to get started. And let me just say that there’s really nothing better than clients who trust your vision and trust you to create an event that friends and family will love and treasure. With just a little over six weeks to brainstorm a fun concept for a couple’s shower with more than 100 guests, I came up with the idea of a casual-camping theme. A little red gingham, lots of birch, a barbecue dinner and of course s’mores favors followed by an impressive backyard bonfire. Nothing fancy but enough to make the event memorable.
I also have to give an enormous shout out to Sarah a former bride of mine from 2012 who recently launched her beautiful photography brand. You can view her website here. Sarah was such a stylish and design savvy client that it’s no surprise her photography style is fresh, beautiful and downright lovely. Sarah, it was such a treat working alongside you in a whole new capacity. Let’s make it happen again soon ok? On to the details! What day is it? Hump day :)
I found this old wood plank in our backyard (random right?) but knew it was perfect for the shower. Welcome to camp!
I used a lot of natural elements and outdoor inspired touches throughout the florals and decor like cotton, sola flowers, wood, birch vases, ferns and succulents paired together with feminine flowers and colors that will be present again at the couple’s August wedding. Paired together with that red gingham print used in small doses that reminded me so much of old school camping nostalgia, the shower was decorated to appeal to both men and women; I think there were actually more men at the shower that made comments about the rad theme than women :) high fives all you guys!
The dessert table was by far the sweetest detail. Sweet Heather Anne in Ann Arbor is one of my favorite bakeries in all of Michigan and there’s more than one reason why. Besides having the most adorable treats, they are hands down the most delicious. I worked together with Heather to come up with treats that would tie in with the theme and compliment the catered meal of onsite barbecue. We went with mini chocolate cupcakes, topped with marshmallow toasted meringue and a piece of graham cracker, caramel praline cake truffles on wood sticks that I stuck into mini red gingham cupcake wrappers and then the cutest little cake in a jar treats with the couple’s monogram stuck on top and little bamboo spoons fastened to the sides. The cake in a jar, pastel de elote cake flavor was suggested by Heather to pair together with the BBQ; fresh corn cake layered with salted caramel buttercream. Everyone just loved them.
‘Fresh Lake Water’ sign for the water tubs, mini pine trees for the bar and birch straws for drinks.
A little lounge area was set up around the bonfire for later on in the evening when guests could make s’mores and mingle. A few toss pillows from my inventory, paired together with rented khaki benches and wood end tables worked wonders with the event theme. A tin vase and hobnail jar with poppy pods and green thistle in them on the end tables sealed the deal. I was nervous no one would utilize the benches but was proved wrong when I saw groups of people huddled around the fire, conversing and laughing together on the benches as the night wore on.
The keg was dubbed ‘Dude Fuel’ sign and the wine and pop cooler was dubbed ‘Camping Cokes and Cocktails’. We had a bartender on hand for mixed drinks but most guests helped themselves to beverages throughout the evening. Oh and I wasn’t sure if I really liked that heart I made out of twigs found around my backyard in the weeks leading up to the shower but I have to say it looked pretty cute and festive hanging in a pine tree set out by the event tent.
Oh and how adorable is Kris and Chris? Yeah the couple with the same name together, stay together. Love you guys.
P.S. I cannot wait for this amazing August wedding to get here finally.
P.S.S. I have an amazing new assistant. I can’t wait to introduce you to her.
P.S.S.S. I hate apologizing for my lack of blogging these days because the lack of blogging means things are happening here and when things are happening things are good but I miss you guys! At the end of July things will die down for a week or so and I’m hoping I’ll be able to check back in with lots of exciting news, some new events, and other fun things you’ll wanna high five a stranger for. Really though. Love you guys. I hope you’re rocking out your summer so far!
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Event planning, design and florals: Hey Gorgeous Events / Photography: Elizabeth Dunn Photography / Venue: private residence / Tent and rentals: Special Events Rental / Desserts: Sweet Heather Anne / Invitations and dessert tags: Smitten on Paper / Gingham napkins: La Tavola Linen