Celebrating the Bride-to-Be: Josie’s Special Day

Hello and welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday! This is a space where I share what’s on my mind and invite you to join in and link up with your own thoughts. Today, I’m reminiscing about the lovely time we had celebrating Josie, a beautiful bride-to-be, at her shower this past weekend! Let me share some of the highlights with you ~

Guests were welcomed with a sign inviting them to come on in. The porch was adored with hydrangeas flanking the door in our tall planters (HERE). I picked up a boxwood wreath (HERE). We added a white tulle bow to make it look more like a bridal veil. To round out the welcoming atmosphere, we had an Echo on the porch playing instrumental love songs. Tucked inside the bow on the wreath were cotton balls with the signature scent of the day, English Pear and Freesia (HERE).

As each guest arrived, I made sure to snap a quick photo of them with the bride-to-be—a special little keepsake for her to look back on and remember everyone who came to celebrate. We turned our dining room table into a welcoming station, creating a warm and inviting first stop for guests as they came in. We displayed framed photos of each bridesmaid paired with a short note sharing how the bride knows them. It was such a meaningful touch and gave everyone a glimpse into the special friendships that have shaped her life.

Once inside, guests were handed a small clipboard with all of the games attached, making it easy to keep everything together as they mingled, chatted, and grabbed a bite to eat. I’ve used these clipboards (HERE) for years at so many different events, and they’ve truly been such a great investment!

We kept the games simple and fun—gift bingo, guess their ages, and find the guest. Each one encouraged guests to move around, strike up conversations, and get to know one another. Our goal was to create a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere where everyone felt comfortable mingling, and I think it worked beautifully.

Planning the menu was so much fun! Here’s what we decided on:

Lemon Curd and Raspberry Tartlets

Caprese Skewers

Pimento Cheese and Hot Pepper Jelly Pastry Cup

Charcuterie in Tea Cups

Cucumber Canapés

Shrimp Cocktail

Amaretto Cake with Raspberry Filling

The mantel was beautifully styled with blue hydrangeas, soft candlelight, and a framed photo of the soon-to-be bride and groom. We carried that same look over to the staircase, weaving hydrangeas along the banister and adding touches of tulle to tie everything together for a cohesive, romantic feel.

Hydrangeas from Amazon (HERE and HERE)

In the kitchen, we set up the food on the table and placed the drinks on the island to keep everything flowing smoothly for guests. The banister was dressed up with a touch of tulle as well, adding a soft, elegant detail that carried the décor seamlessly into the space.

Each guest went home with a sweet little favor—a jar of homemade body lotion lovingly made by one of the bridesmaids, along with a tube of lip balm. It was such a thoughtful and personal touch to thank everyone for celebrating the bride-to-be.

It was such a beautiful day celebrating our bride-to-be! We’re all so excited and can’t wait for the wedding ahead.

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