Wednesday, September 8, 2010

A Sweet & Spicy Bridal Shower!

(Photo above by Brea McDonald)


We've been dying to share this lovely shower with you all, but our amazing friends at 100 Layer Cake (a daily must-read, if you aren't reading already) had expressed their interest in this project, so we had to keep it under wraps until it went live. Well, it's LIVE (go along, now, go check it out!).


We designed this beautiful bridal shower for my bestie, Lauren, to celebrate her upcoming (and now past) wedding. The idea behind the shower was that, like a good marriage, Lauren is both Sweet and Spicy. We asked all the guests to wear either sweet pink or spicy red - which was a fun detail - and all the food and drink followed in theme. Let me tell you, the spicy duck hash is seriously delicious!



(3 photos above by Brea McDonald)

Jenna of Love*Jenna did the calligraphy and we did all of the design and printing. The invitations were all 3-color letterpress printed (of course!) and packaged in individual chocolate brown mailing boxes that had each been hand lined with either dried chili peppers (spicy) or pink rock candy (sweet). While time consuming (I spent more evenings than I care to admit using industrial glue (sorry for the fumes, Gus!) lining boxes with chilies and rock candy), I think the detailing of the invitations was one of my favorite parts. I received so many RSVPs from guests surprised and delighted with the little package that had arrived at their doorstep.


At the shower, the ladies were treated to special "Lauren's Sweet Sip" cocktails, delicious sweet scones and fruit and then a scrumptious spicy brunch menu. During the meal, we read Lauren a sweets-themed poem that we'd written for her, played a sweet and spicy game and generally fawned over the radiant bride-to-be.


The real treat of the afternoon, however, was having the oh-so-talented Shyla Dalirifar of Shyla Photography (keep her on your short list of photographers, you brides-and-grooms-to-be!) on site to provide a mini portrait session for each lady. With a few fun sweet and spicy props, we had a blast hamming it up for the camera. This shot of Lauren's grandmother totally kills me.


All in all, the shower was a real hit. From the amazing flowers, to the delicious food to the fun portraits, we celebrated our beloved Lauren in sweet and spicy style.



Event Photography: Shyla Photography (all photos here by Shyla unless noted)
Flowers: Kate Martin of Beautiful Days
Invitations, paper and event design: Gus & Ruby Letterpress
Calligraphy: Love, Jenna
Venue: The Eastern Standard Kitchen, Boston, MA

6 comments:

  1. I would love to know what games you played at the party

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  2. Hi Honey,

    We didn't play that many games, actually. It was a really lovely brunch and we did mini photo-sessions with all the ladies. The one game we did play was more of a party-favor than a game. While Lauren was opening gifts we set a kitchen time for 2 minute intervals and, every time it went off, whoever gave the gift that Lauren was opening at that moment received a little gift. Silly, but fun!

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  3. I know this was a few years ago but I would love to know what was on the spicy brunch menu! I'm trying to throw a similar themed shower for my sister in law. Thanks!

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  4. I know this was a few years ago but I would love to know what was on the spicy brunch menu! Trying to throw a similar themed shower for my sister in law! Thanks!

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    1. Hi Annie,

      It was a while ago so I can't remember the exact details, but I believe we had the choice between a crab cake, a spicy duck hash and a cubano sandwich. The event was held at a restaurant in Boston so they did the food (and it was delicious!). Good luck planning the shower!

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