Bridal Shower Planning: 101

The key to any successful shower or party is in the details. Your guests will notice the little things you did to go above and beyond preparation. Sometimes, prep work and planning takes a team. In my case, it took me and two other bridesmaids to throw my sister an epic bridal shower. 

Make a budget. 

We started planning months before the actual bridal shower to make sure we didn’t over spend. I had to reign the other girls in a few times because, let’s face it, this gal isn’t made of money. But for the most part we stuck to the plan. 

We thought about where to get food, what we would use for favors, drinks, everything. Start planning in advance so the money for everything isn’t a shock when it’s a week before the wedding and you still have to buy meats and cheeses! 

Plan your menu

Originally we were going to try and have Chick Fil A cater everything. Sadly Chick Fil A isn’t open on Sundays. Plan B, Sam’s club for food in bulk! We decided getting lots of meats and cheeses to make sammies was the best idea to feed a large amount of people. We were able to get some of the meats on sale with coupons and manager’s specials for the Salami. (win!) 

Fruits are always a great idea! 

Just keep in mind who you’re feeding. We struggled with having a few guests that couldn’t have gluten, so obviously bread for sambas were off limits. Instead we offered gluten free crackers and popcorn. Finger foods are perfect for showers like this. 

Stay hydrated! 

Obviously we had to have a mimosa bar! We offered both OJ and Grapefruit juices to mix things up. (Hint, the grapefruit was my favorite!) 

Don’t worry, we had options for guests that might not want to day drink with us. (I swear I’m not a lush)

We got a great deal on the four drink dispensers. In addition to the mimosa bar: we had lemonade, sweet tea, and water. 

It’s all in the details 

I cannot take any credit for crafting portions of the bridal shower. That was all on one of the other bridesmaids. She essentially told me and the matron of honor what to do / how to do it and we did. 

|| Polished Brides. 

Hot glue + flowers / mini veils on nail polish = these cute little favors for guests. They were able to choose a color they loved to take home. 

|| Chocolate Sunflowers

Yes we melted chocolate. Yes we had to dye it. Yes this was a pain in the butt. 

|| Mint To Be

Mints + Hot glue / hand written decor = cuteness galore. 

|| Date Box

We painted / added pictures / decorated this cute little box from the craft store to make a date box idea for my sister and her soon to be hubby. All of the guests at the party wrote down a date idea for when they get stuck on what to do. They choose a date randomly and have an adventure! 

|| Gifts for the mom’s / Step mom’s 

Because they’re important too! We threw these little “spa” boxes together for the amazing women in the bride’s life. 

|| Letters to the bride

When invitations were mailed out, we asked everyone invited to write a letter to my sister. It could’ve been a memory, a funny story, anything. We made sure to have the letters a week before the shower so we could make a scrap book. We gave her the book as a gift. She knew nothing about this until we surprised her with it. We even had her finance type up a letter. (Everyone else’s was hand written) Her reaction was priceless. 

Needless to say, we felt like the shower was perfect. We had games, prizes, and lots of laughter. Even unwanted advice from Grandma. No one was surprised with that though. At the end of the day, we were thankful for the mimosas! 

Check out This Month's Daddy Llama

Why I Won't Go To Your Kid's Birthday

Kid's birthday parties. I'm sure you've been invited to at least one in your lifetime as an adult. Right? If not, well, either your friends don't have kids yet or you just flat out refuse to go to one. And I don't blame you. For me kid birthdays are my nightmare. And yes, I have children. Sure we go to a few kid parties. I'm not a horrible mom that keeps her kids away from all of the fun. There are, however some parties I will RSVP "no" to.

Poor Planning. 
I hate that this even needs to be brought up, but if you're inviting me FOUR DAYS prior to the actual party. It's a hell no. I literally had someone MAIL a birthday party invite. I actually got excited cause her son is about the same age as Zander. Mail invitations usually mean the party is at least 2-3 weeks away and I'd have time to plan. Nope. This one showed up yesterday for a party that's on Saturday at 3:00. Not going. We've already made plans. Hate to say it but she probably won't have anyone there.

We Don't Socialize Frequently. 
I'm an extrovert and can make friends with the wall. It's true. But even I have my limits. There's certain people that I just cannot socialize with comfortably. These people are the ones that it's painful to make small talk with and you just can't bring yourself to be around them in any social setting. I'm not putting myself through that torture.

I Don't Want to Buy a Gift.
There. I said it. I don't want to do it. I don't even like buying my kids random toys that they don't even play with 15 minutes after they've opened it. WHY would I want to do it for your kid? It's a painful process going through the toy aisle with a five year old. It's not fun. If I don't have to do it, I'm not going to. And yes, I have said no because of this reason. Of course I've worded it much nicer.

I've Never Even Heard of Your Kid. 
Zander is usually pretty good about expressing clearly who his "best friends" are. The ones he talks about non stop, and always asks if they can come over. Then we'll randomly get an invite for a kid that he's never mentioned. This kind of ties into the not socializing frequently, but on the kid level. If my kid knows yours is in his class but they never talk about each other, why invite them? I get not wanting to leave anyone out, but think about what's going to be fun for your kid. You DON'T Have to invite the whole class "just because".

Luckily, Zander only got a few birthday party invites during the school year last year. All other parties we've been to have been SUPER close friends of ours, and it was an obvious yes. But going into kindergarten this year and the invites are likely to pour in, this is why we'll say no.

Moms, are you with me on this?

Also, don't forget! Emelia, Kerri and I are still giving away $240 CASH via paypal! Have you entered yet?

Your June Blogiversary Host Ladies: Emelia, Kerri & Melissa

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The Gals- B&M, Rebekah, Lisa, Julia, Hope

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I'm Not an Event Planner

But my H.R. manager seems to think I'm qualified for the job!

Let me explain... I'm an "administrative assistant" at my new job. Translation: I'm the office "go-fer"... whatever my boss(es) need help with, I do it. It could be filing, data entry, or making spreadsheets. Yesterday HR decided *Melissa is an event planner*

Here's how it went down

Me: "Hey, (we'll call her H)! I've finished with the stop audits, do you need help with anything?"
H: "Actually yes, I have to book the Christmas party by the end of the week. Can you find a location and book it?"
Me: "Um... OK... Sure"
The rest of the day was spent with me searching for places to have Christmas parties near the office since the majority of employees live near the office. Unfortunately the majority of places that people seem to want to have the party at are outside of the area that people are willing to drive.

Time to compromise folks, you either get location or fun. Where our job is, you can't have both. Priorities people... priorities.

WHYYY did I say yes?? Maybe because it's a new job and I wanted to be the good little assistant and help. Ugh. I don't know. Thankfully, I made a phone call to a really good friend and got a some good ideas for where to start tomorrow, and now that I know he reads my blog: Thanks Andy!

The lesson learned here: don't agree to be an event planner when you know nothing about planning events. Or make sure you have a really awesome friend to bail you out and give you really great ideas. Especially when your experience of Christmas parties is a free Outback Steakhouse dinner lunch.

Bloomin' Onions are freaking delicious though.