Showering Brit!

Today was Brittany's Shower.

It was a Success!!

(If I do say so myself...)

I have been planning this Bridal Shower since the day Ben proposed.  I knew I wanted to do a "Love Theme", with the Wedding so close to Valentine's day, and with the party planned the weekend after Valentines day, I knew it would be even easier to execute.

It needs to be said that without my entourage, this event would not have been possible.  Mom, Casey and Lindsey were worked to the bone.  Every detail of this shower was addressed by each of them, and they helped TREMENDOUSLY in making this day PERFECT!
Shannon and Rob took the Kids AND Henry the day of the party to make it easier on me for set up and a kid-free, pet free party.  So nice!  Mary took Madeline on Friday night to make prep easier. Tegan loaned me her Valentine's Box for extra decor (is anyone surprised Tegan has a box just for Valentine's day....because I wasn't! Thank God for friends that throw as many parties as I do!)  And Laura for loaning me her appetizer plates and punch bowl.

We started on Friday getting things ready.

Most of our prep was for dessert and appetizers

Casey was in charge of everything craft-y.

And Linds was in charge of everything Alch-y.

:)
I'm kidding!

Auntie Mary had Madeline for most the night, but once she came home, Mom and Dad were on Madeline duty.  Here they are playing "Birthday Party" Maddie's favorite new game.  And YES that is my Mother in Mad's Elmo Chair.

Decor was so much fun for this party.
I found the most adorable invitation for this shower.
On the invite there was a banner across the top.
I emailed Heather and asked begged her to make the sign.

PERFECT Execution.

Let me bring it in for a close up.
It's worth a second look.

So adorable.

My Mom made her sash for the party.

Super Cute!

For appetizers we made 7 layer dips in individual servings.

I found the recipe on Pinterest.

They were a HUGE hit!

We also put candy out around the room.
(Thanks Teegs for the adorable dishes)

Lunch was catered.

Woot! Woot!

I only made the salad!

Los Panchos 

MMMmmmm

BCR's, Carne Asada, Chicken Tacos, Beans and Rice.

Deeeeeelicious!

For Dessert....

Fresh Fruit....

Heart Rice Krispie Treats, Pound Cake, and Marshmallows..
To dip in a Chocolate fountain....
Yum.

At the end of the Dessert counter I placed a photo from Brit and Ben's engagement shoot with Mia Hope.

Let's take a moment and talk about Mia Hope.
They recently did Brittany and Ben's engagement photo shoot and did an AMAZING job.  I wasn't surprised...I had seen their work from Tegan's Wedding and knew they were the perfect photographers for the job.  They are so kind, so wonderful, it was an easy decision to have them do photos for Jack's Six year annual shoot. (more on that another time)  Anyway....during the shoot I was talking to June about the shower.  I could see the lightbulb go off in her head. She turned to me and said, "Would you like to do an autograph board for the guest to sign at the shower? "
Uh.. YA!
OMG
Yes!
So nice!
That was last SUNDAY!
By Friday I was handed a framed photograph for signing
AND
TWO pictures to choose from.
She had me at white mat and black frame.
I'm in love with Mia Hope.
They just got a customer for LIFE.

I framed the second picture and displayed it at the dessert table.

How cute is this picture!
I can't WAIT for Wedding Pics!
Thank you again Mia Hope!

For drinks I served Brit's Fav's

Coronitas and Cranberry-Pomegrante Sangria
(if you have been turned off by Sangria's...make this one, I PROMISE you will run out....It's THAT good.)

We froze fresh fruit and cranberry-pomegranate juice in heart molds to float in the wine glasses.

We were ready!

When guests arrived they were handed a page out of Brittany's Guest book.

You answered questions about the Bride and gave her advice on Marriage.
(Shannon sent me this link a while back, and I LOVED it and had Mom order it immediately. Thanks Shan!)

Guests had fun filling out the pages.


On the invitation sent out, Guests were also asked to bring a Red Panty to add to the Bride's Lingerie collection.

We attached little tags to each panty, and asked guest to add a little "spicy" advice for the Bride.

We used these heart pins to attach the panties to the twine.
(How cute are these clothes pins....Thank you Tegan's Valentine's Tub!)

I adore this idea, not only is it cute decor for the party, but it gives the bride TONS of new panties.
(Casey saw this idea on a blog forever ago and told me about it, I immediately stored it in my Brain's Party Planning idea's for later use.... Kind of like Pinterest in my head if you will...)

Love it!

Brittany was adorable.

We had quite the turn out!

The guests played Bridal Bingo during gift opening.
(It's one of the only party games I find acceptable.)
;)

Brittany raked in the loot!
(How cute is that pillow??)

Brit was SUPER exited about her new panty collection in her favorite color.

Brittany took time after the shower to read everyone's entry into her guest book.

Lindsey was told she couldn't leave until she disassembled her creation of the Balloon Chandelier.

Dad came home and dug right into the chocolate fountain when no one was looking...

As Did Jack....

But not Ben....Benny came home and went right for the Clothesline of Panties.....
Seriously...
This IS my Brother.

:)

I'm actually gonna end it on that note.
I can't top that last pic.

I will say...

It was a great day.
For the Greatest of Girls.
Love you Brit.