Elevator Man & 37 (Erika's Bridal Shower)

I helped with a bridal shower last weekend (just trying to get caught up from last week). I did the floral and linen decor for a caterer that I work with occasionally. Totally a very last-minute gig, not my best floral work with such short notice, but the host specifically wanted gerbera daisies. And then she put out photos of the Guest of Honor, so we had to elevate the centerpieces so you could see them. That's the thing with event planning - have to be flexible and resourceful.

The shower cake had a heart on it with "Elevator Man & 37" piped on the frosting. The host of the bridal shower told me the story of how they met less than a year ago. At the time, the bride-to-be was working in a hi-rise in downtown L.A. and the groom-to-be is an elevator engineer who was working on the hi-rise's elevators. They noticed each other as she would come and go from her office on the 37th floor, but never spoke. So whenever she would enter the building, his buddies would radio to him that "37" is in the building and he would position himself to be in the area to see her. And she was referring to him as "Elevator Man" to her friends at work, since they did not know each other's names. After a while she kind of gave up, thinking maybe he must be married since he was not saying anything to her....

Finally, as she went into the elevator one day he followed her in. They finally talked! After work that day, they met over coffee. The rest, they say is history.

I thought it was a really cute story, could be a Lifetime movie or something.....

To view all the photos of this event, visit my gallery.

Suzanne's Bridal Shower Tea Party

Yesterday I had the honor of providing a tea party for Suzanne's Bridal Shower. It was a wonderful group of ladies who came together to celebrate, and since Suzanne and her soon to-be-husband live in Guam for their work it was extra special to see them have a great time. The entire afternoon was filled with LAUGHTER. This was the most laughing group I have been around, and I loved it. I love hearing laughter. Especially at the part where they are having a fashion show from the gals dressed-up in the toilet paper wedding gowns game. Perhaps it was because of the southern punch with spirits, and they didn't know it was spiked?

The shower was held at the bride-to-be sister's home, Nanette, who was the hostess of the event. It ended up being a beautiful, sunny afternoon, but we were worried for a while since that morning it was very windy and looked like possible rain. But we kept praying to the weather gods, and they must of heard us...

I made all the floral decor, menu cards and napkin "rings".

The red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. The ones I was going to make the cupcake cuddlers for. Didn't happen. Had way too much to do and ran out of time. But it is still very pretty.

Suzanne, the bride-to-be holding "the lovers" teacup I picked out for her to use.

Since she is a worldly well-traveled gal, I included a shower activity of signs posted with the words "I love you" in different languages and the ladies had to figure which language was what.

Click here to view the entire photo gallery and all the details.

I'm still fixing a lot of the photos since I used my new camera, a Canon Rebel XTi which I am still getting used to, and need to figure out the settings. Manual schmanual.

Love Knows - Sherry's Bridal Shower

I was contacted by Amy, who wanted to plan an impromptu bridal shower tea party for her friend, but we didn't have much time. Sherry, the bride-to-be was getting married in three weeks!

The lucky couple had a whole six week engagement. They had met in a singles church group function, fell in love and knew that they both had found "the one".

This love story hits close to my heart, as the same thing happened to me and my husband. We met at church, and from our first date to our wedding date was nine months - we had a three month engagement. Twelve years later we still can't believe how fast our courtship was, but it's still stronger than ever!

So I felt very privileged to be a party of Sherry's shower, and you could feel the love amongst her friends and family during the special event. While Sherry finished opening the gifts, the groom-to-be arrived towards the end of the event and while waiting he hung out in the kitchen with me and the servers, and I enjoyed talking with him and hearing their love story.

I created the floral centerpieces for the guest tables and the buffet arrangement.

Click here to view the photo gallery.

Flora's Bridal Shower Tea Party

This bridal shower tea party in honor of Flora, the bride-to-be, and it was a really fun and colorful event. It was hosted by Dacy (her sister) in her backyard. I loved the colors of orange and raspberry for the decor. I was lucky enough to find orange roses for the buffet table! The bridesmaids made the centerpieces and put the paper lanterns inside the market umbrellas.

Scout -the host's Golden Retriever- looked very pretty in her ribbon necklace, and was very gracious in greeting each of the guests (I have a huge affinity for Goldens, we used to have two of them and I miss them!) So I fell in love with Scout!

The guests were offered mimosas or champagne upon arrival in cute pink & orange glasses, and then invited to the back yard were the tea tables were set. The buffet menu consisted of finger tea sandwiches of almond chicken salad, smoked salmon & cream cheese, sliced turkey & cranberry spread and cucumber, watercress & cream cheese. The scones were cream flavor and cranberry flavor accompanied with lemon curd, chantilly cream and fruit preserves. The decadent sweets were fruit tartlets, éclairs, brownie ganache bars and pecan bars. The tea flavors were Cream Earl Grey and decaf Springberry. The bridesmaids brought cute frosted cupcakes topped with pink sugar sprinkles.

After a couple of shower games and the bride-to-be opening gifts, the host handed out for take home favors. They were darling bath products tied in strips of calico fabric made into ribbon with a tag that read "from flora's shower to yours. thank you for coming to our tea party!". I LOVE stuff like that! And she also gave out silk tea sachets that read on the cool pyramid shaped box FLORA - what a coincidence. Tea parties are the coolest type of party for bridal showers, but that's my opinion!

Click here to view the photo gallery.