After much internal brainstorming, I found the inspiration for a beautiful shower that would be made possible on a budget.
Centerpieces
I wanted the centerpieces to be simple, pretty and inexpensive for my bridal shower at the Craftsman Inn.
Touches of gold will be featured in my wedding day ensemble and throughout the entire wedding, so I also wanted to incorporate this into the shower's theme.
Less is more. Since the brunch being served during the shower was the top priority, I didn't want the centerpieces to clutter the tables.
Monograms are big in the bridal scene and this was a fun opportunity to feature one gold "F" on each table. I rounded up 10 cardboard craft letters ($2.49 each) and one can of gold spray paint. A little bit of powdery glitter and six bags of clear crystals and jewels ($2.99 a bag) and the centerpieces were ready to go!
Favors
Have you ever gone to a party — a wedding, a shower or even a birthday party — where you received a favor that you knew you wouldn't use? With my focus on pretty and practical for the favors, I knew that I wanted to provide something that would be a useful keepsake. In addition to the useful coffee mug (100 mugs for under $100) that would feature a simple design, the favor would include one of my favorite things — coffee! The coffee was not only a "must" because it's one of my favorite beverages, but it was purchased from Cafe at 407, which benefits a non-profit (Ophelia's Place) that I support as a body image advocate and also as a board member.
I bought five pounds of Guatemalan coffee beans ($64.95) from Cafe at 407 to fill burlap bags. Since I couldn't locate any cost-effective bags — a few rolls of burlap material (Buy 1 Get 1 at $4.99) were transformed into burlap bags...after a very motivated bridesmaid sewed them!
Enough coffee beans for a couples cups of coffee were placed in each burlap bag and then tied with some tan and gold ribbon (a few rolls totaling $6) with a "thank you" tag personally stamped by yours truly.
The coffee not only looked great in the burlap, but it smelled divine and of course, it was delicious!
Brooches
OK, so I did not make any brooches, but I did include my bridal shower guests in a very special wedding moment.Along with the shower invitation, guests also received a little instruction. I asked each guest to bring either a jewel or a gem, a pair of sparkly earrings or a brooch — all pieces that will eventually be used to create my wedding day brooch bouquet. I also specified a few colors to keep in mind: gold, tangerine, fuchsia pink and light yellow.
Many guests surprised me with their heartfelt gestures by bringing me a grandmother's brooch, a jewelry piece that they wore to a special occasion, and many others that included a personal message or a note that explained why the piece was "meant to be" for my wedding day.
In the end, this will become a DIY project that will truly hold a special place in my heart when I walk down the aisle on May 2, 2015.
Until the big day...
I look forward to the final months of planning, and also the anticipation.
Most of all — I am grateful to have my loving family and friends surrounding me as I approach the day I will marry my wonderful husband-to-be.
Until my next post, be beautiful and genuine ― in other words, be you!
Bride-to-be Farah F. Jadran shares her wedding plans, interests and other delightful happenings on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Vine and Pinterest — @FarahJadran.
