INSPO
Take a peek at the editor ' s Pinterest-inspired wedding shower , held on her parents ’ patio .
Bridal or wedding showers allow engaged couples to celebrate their union before the big day . The couple also gets to return home with gifts for their abode and / or cash gifts to help with wedding or honeymoon funds .
To save money , my parents hosted my husband Bruno and I ’ s bridal shower at their house . This also allowed them to use the newly renovated patio that they ’ d been waiting all winter to utilize . We invited the women in our families , as well as my father , my brother ( the photographer ) and his son , Davi . It was a scorching Sunday morning in June , so one thing I would have done differently is rent a large tent to keep the entire yard cool . For those who wish to host an outdoor shower in the summer , I suggest doing the same ! Regardless , it was a beautiful sunny day filled with love , and having the bridal shower made the anticipation for our wedding day that much greater .
If you ’ re planning your shower , decide which time of day you want it to take place : Are you an early-morning brunch bride , afternoon tea in the garden gal or dinner in the city chick ? Whichever theme or time you choose for this event , read on to check out some tips and inspiration I used to personalize this special day .
PHOTOGRAPHY : EDER BAPTISTA .
PINTEREST IDEAS I “ BORROWED ”
Flower bar : My sister-in-law and bridesmaid , Stacy , oversaw this station . Frankly , Stacy helped with the bridal shower decor in several ways — as an owner of a Cricut machine , Stacy created the signage for the flower bar , welcome sign and mimosa bar . She set up the flower display stand for the flowers that would be used for bouquet making , accompanied with pink ribbons and newspaper print ( a nod to our past as college newspaper staffers ) to wrap the bouquets .
Floral backdrop : Stacy also pinned fake flowers of various colors ( specifically pink , blue , orange and purple ) on a white wooden arch that served as an aesthetic photo background .
The color theme : The palette was simple — the flowers , tablescape , centerpieces and signage were a combination of vibrant and saturated tones , matching the floral backdrop .
BRIDE ON A BUDGET
Delegate tasks to your bridal party and other friends and family so that all the planning doesn ’ t fall on you . You are busy planning a wedding , after all !
If you ’ re going for a low-key vibe , hosting the shower at a family member ’ s or close friend ’ s backyard ( or parents ’ patio , like I did !) saves money that you would ’ ve put toward a restaurant or venue . Make it a potluck and have guests bring your
favorite dishes . On the invitations , I asked guests to bring either doughnuts , ham and cheese sliders , traditional Cape Verdean breakfast foods , French toast or their signature dish .
Use household items as a part of the decor , like Mason jars or reusable glass containers for the flowers or tea light candle centerpieces .
You ’ re most likely spending a lot on florals for the wedding day already — opt for fake flowers or petals for some aspects of the decor , like the centerpieces or as a cake topping .
My brother , who also photographed our engagement shoot , donated his afternoon to take detail shots and photos of the guests throughout the day .
THE HIGHLIGHTS
The games we played allowed guests to learn more about the couple of the hour , including He Said , She Said ; Guess the Dress ; and Who Knows the Bride Best . Cards were purchased on Etsy by my sister and maid of honor , Melinda .
My favorite meal is breakfast , so guests indulged in brunch foods like muffins , bread , doughnuts from Allie ’ s Donuts in North Kingstown , a doughnut cake from Daily RI Homemade Donuts in Johnston , French toast casserole made by my cousin and bridesmaid Ailine , and other satisfying treats . Plus , my motherin-law Catia made and decorated the delicious cake .
ENGAGED IN SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND 2025 | 37