anyone who reads lil hoot with any regularity is aware that i'm fully immersed in my mermaid of honor duties. i am having such big fun helping the ash plan her big day, and i see my role just as what it's called, an honor.
my cousin, ashly, is my favorite person on the planet. {sorry horseface} when she got engaged to her amazebalz fiancee Scott, I was beyond happy and since I am a party planner, I had already started planning the wedding and shower in my head months prior {obvs}. I knew I wanted to enlist the help of industry faves, White Loft Studio, chocolate creative design and Petal Floral Design {also Ashly's wedding vendors - yay!}
I wanted the shower to personify Ashly - laid back, beautiful, and above all, fun! My mom was happy to co-host with me and offer her coastal connecticut home as the venue. She has a mermaid statue perched on her sea wall which was one of the inspirations for the event. Ashly has always loved the beach {so much so she resides on Nantucket!} so I wanted to incorporate seaside and beachy elements without being trite. She also isn't your typical bride and was not comfortable with the traditional shower concept so we set out to create a "cocktail hour shower" announcing "one less lovely fish in the sea".
The invites, painstakingly created by my lovely and talented friend Lucinda Wesson of chocolate creative design, set the tone for the celebratory occasion perfectly. Lucinda illustrated a darling mermaid holding a cocktail which was then printed with gold foil on the invites, complimenting the pink, coral and aqua color scheme. The RSVP was to go to the "mermaid of honor". Envelopes were lined with an aqua and gold glittered scallop pattern. fave. invites. evah.
The scallop pattern, bubbles and mermaids were to be found everywhere from the pattern of my mom's stone patio to the cocktail napkins. Lucinda created a custom stamp for the napkins with the mermaid from the invite and the don ho lyrics 'tiny bubbles in the wine, make me happy, make me feel fine".
The sweets were originally to be set up on the sea wall but the weather didn't cooperate. {womp}
Instead we set up the dessert table inside with subtle seaside elements.
The gurgling cod was used for the floral centerpiece, which was composed of coral charm peonies and other gorgeous blooms, also a gift to the bride to be.
i twisted sugar on top's arm to work her magic during her maternity leave and i cannot imagine the shower without these beauties. thank you, sugar! {you can go back to milking nicky bobby now}
Vintage jadeite shell and cake stands to display pink champagne and mint macarons, the gold-dusted seashell and starfish cookies, very homemade cupcakes, and a delicate scalloped cake with a peony fondant topper also graced the table.
i just adore this cake.
Sequined linens gave a shimmery seaside effect on both the bar and and sweets table.
Guests were served pink champagne in aqua and blush champagne flutes with gold and pink pom pom swizzle sticks . . .
and a gold 'holla' sign was the focal point of the bar.
This was also a perfect "prop" for the stunning bride-to-be!
There were multiple surprises in store for Ashly. Her best friend from DC flew in for the event - Heidi of course captured the reaction of the elated bride perfectly. Which brings me to my next surprise- Heidi of White Loft Studio, herself! Ashly is thrilled to have her shoot her October wedding on Nantucket so her presence at the shower made her so happy, and even happier when we saw the pictures! Heidi also delivered the gorgeous florals from Ashly's wedding florist, Petal Floral Design.
followed by more hugs . . .
and lots more pink bubbles . . .
obvs.
My 3 and half year old twin daughters are so excited to be flower girls and couldn't wait to make an appearance in their champagne tutus and bubble cardigans! They also got a sneak peek at what their flower crowns for the wedding will look like {Becca from Petal Floral Design created a special one for the mermaid on the sea wall}
Cast iron mermaid bottle openers served as favors with a pablo picasso quote -
'love is the greatest refreshment of all'
These were hung from the chandelier above the bar.
The bridesmaids had fun awkwardly posing with the bride and the pink mermaids sign!
Guests were also sent home with small bundles of glitter and other goodies to throw in the sea at a full moon {shower was 2 days before full moon} as part of a "mermaid love spell".
{my only regret was that someone forgot to cast a spell on me to ward off my frizzy hair and post-shower hangover . . .}
Looking forward to collaborating with all of these amazing vendors in October for the main event, and feeling so lucky that we get to have so much fun along the way. holla!
what i didn't share with classic bride was that the cocktail hour shower was held the evening before my gramp's memorial service, so that far-away family members could be present for both events. it was a bittersweet weekend but ashly's impending nuptials lifted everyone's spirits immensely and we truly celebrated life and love all weekend long. a true party with heart, indeed.
ashly & scott - we are all so very happy for you two . . . keep the bubbles coming!
