Showering the bride

This weekend I had my bridal shower.  It was all kinds of lovely, as my very detail-oriented sister/maid of honor, with the help of my mom and youngest sister, put bits of charm and whimsy into every single facet.  From the hand-crafted (by my sister) umbrellas, to the old-fashioned striped straws, to the way the cucumber was cut exactly so before flavoring spa water (seriously), the party was really, really beautiful.  And being surrounded by some of the very important people in my life, I felt so loved and honored – and truly like a bride.

Here are a few photos from the day:

Having never had a bridal shower before, I learned a few things in the process that I wish to pass on to future brides who will be attending their own shower…

Details matter.  You don’t think they do, but they do.  The past several weeks my sister has been driving everyone batty with a meticulous eye for every ingredient imagined in creating a gorgeous shower.  We all thought she was nuts for putting together 20 or more umbrellas by hand, selecting just the right straw, ensuring that the fruit was properly skewered.  But the result?  It was incredibly gorgeous.  In fact, I’m thinking about just letting her take over the decorating for my wedding too.  Ok, maybe not.  But it’s tempting…

Eat something beforehand.  Our afternoon shower had gorgeous watermelon mojitos sporting the handmade umbrellas and whimsical straws.  You couldn’t help but sip on these continuously.  In fact, I’d be sipping on one now if it weren’t 5 in the morning.  But when you haven’t eaten anything…  Let’s just say that a half a mojito goes a long way on an empty stomach.  Woo woo!!!

Know where you’re going on your honeymoon.  So I know I’m going to Costa Rica and the name of the resort we’re staying at.  That is about the extent of my knowledge.  I have never been out of the country before, so in my mind it’s a country with a lot of rain forest, and is somewhere between Petaluma and Florida in size.  That’s all I need to know, right?  Not exactly.  I was asked which airline I was flying on, where I was flying into, and which ocean I would be near.  My answer?  I don’t know.  So before your bridal shower it’s a good idea to do a little research if you let your fiancé handle the travel plans – especially when your shower’s theme is based on your honeymoon destination.  It also helps to know your geography, particularly where the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans really lie.

Know your fiancé.  After 4 years of being together and a year and a half of living together, you’d think I’d know my fiancé inside and out.  Ha ha!  Right.  I was given a test of 21 questions where I was supposed to give the same answers Mr. W gave when my sister quizzed him earlier. I think I got 7 right.  I knew what kind of car he would be if he were a car.  I knew what kind of flower he’d compare me to.  But where he grew up?  Failed that.  But to be fair, he totally bombed on my favorite movie, and he compared me to a monkey when asked what kind of animal I’d be.  Hm.

Invite your favorite inappropriate friend.  If you need lingerie for your honeymoon and are hoping she’ll buy you something much sluttier than anything you’d even think of buying on your own, she won’t let you down.  (P.S.  Love you more than you know, BB!)

Accept that this is a party about you.  I know, this is a no-brainer.  But as someone who actually gets embarrassed when I am the center of attention, this was hard at first.  It took me a few moments to get warmed up to talking about me, Mr. W, the wedding, and then opening a bunch of presents in front of everyone.  Of course, a little bit of liquid courage with a fancy umbrella helped to loosen my tongue and get me over it really quickly.  Kidding! (though it didn’t hurt).  However, once I got over the hints of pride and bashfulness creeping in, I was able to relax and just enjoy being spoiled.  It’s just better if you loosen up and let others treat you to a very wonderful day.  Besides, it’s a welcome break from the stress involved with planning a wedding.

I can’t thank everyone enough for a gorgeous shower.  I have 8 weeks left until the big day (omg), so there isn’t much time left.  But it was this party that really made me feel like a bride.  I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect gathering with people I love. ❤