Bridal Shower Fit For A Princess

 Last weekend I had the honor of helping throw a bridal shower for another one of my best friends!  Her stipulations; teacake sandwiches from the grocery store ("because they're like crack!"), a chocolate fountain, and purple color scheme.  We ran with the purple and threw in some pink for our girly girl bride-to-be!

The beverage table included a purple vodka drink, pink lemonade, water with mint and cucumber and champagne (of course).  Appetizers included individual cups of fresh veggies with ranch or hummus and sliced cucumber with smoked salmon.  For lunch we served teacake sandwiches, miniature quiches, and potato and pasta salad in individual mini take-out boxes.  There were sweets galore on the dessert table, which was complete with a chocolate fountain.  Bananas, strawberries, apples, pretzels, cookies and graham crackers were available to dip in the chocolate.  Mini cupcakes in pink and purple adorned the table as well. 

We lucked out with favors when we found 3-packs of candles from IKEA in hot pink, purple and lavender and added a personal touch by wrapping them in coordinating ribbon and sticking a jewel on each one.  The bridesmaids also make paper flowers to hang around the yard and house.  The arbor was a great fixture to hang them on and it provided a focal point around the tables and seating.  You can find directions on how to assemble the paper flowers here from Martha Stewart Weddings.

I placed large cylinder vases under the arbor, some with rose petals and others with dendrobium orchids, on the bench underneath the hanging flowers.  Other flowers I used for the party included mini green hydrangea, purple hydrangea, lavender roses, florigene carnations (they are different shades of purple), hot pink carnations, purple stock and hot pink stock.  I used square mirrors in the center of the tables and sprinkles lots of pink rose petals around the yard and on the tables. We also decorated the guest of honor's chair with beautiful coordinating ribbons!