im getting married: My Bridal Shower

My bridemaids and family threw me a wonderful bridal shower this past weekend. I am still so excited from the leftover energy high from the shower that I don’t know where to begin. I have such a keen attention to detail that I think I must start in that area since there were so many wonderful details that they worked on.

The shower was at PJ’s Abbey, a quaint and charming family owned restaurant in Orange. The restaurant itself was an older Victorian Baptist Church that was built in 1891. The place has so many details on its own, especially with the stained glass windows that drew in just the right amount of sunlight into the room. I discovered this place earlier this year when we threw one of my girlfriends a bridal shower and liked the location. It was a plus that they have a private room that you can use for showers, engagement parties and such so it was nice to be in the restaurant but still have your own private space. They served a pasta bar with two different kinds of pasta and a Caesar salad for all the guests The girls all contributed towards a mini dessert buffet that they set up next to the cake. I think with my love affair for sweet stuff, they knew they had to have a dessert buffet if it is truly in my honor. So on to the details… we had menu cards, food name cards, candle & centerpieces that were all hand crafted with lots of love. In lieu of the traditional bow bouquet for me to use at the wedding rehearsal, my wonderful and ever so crafty MOH made me 3 magnolia paper bouquets. I loved them!!! It seems that it’s a toss up between the menu cards and the paper flower bouquet as the favorite DIY project at the party since we had guests asking to take home the menu cards as well. They used the tent card from Paper Source and printed the menu on one side of the tent card and printed one of my baby pictures on the other so I think that’s why people loved it.

On with the detail shots:

The centerpieces were put together by my mom. They bought three sets of flower from Sam's Club, and coincidentally, they were the exact colors of my shower, papaya, strawberry, curry, and chartreuse. She's the best! My mom has a keen eye for detail !!

Another bridesmaid was in charge of the favors. Each guest was given a caramel covered apple with crunch. And, look at the ribbon, it's the same exact color as the invites I blogged about a while back. It's curry!! The tags were crafted again by the MOH! We had table menus at each table. Each menu card had a different baby picture on the back.

Again, another decor shot by the MOB. She bought two garlands from Michaels to decorate the buffet area, and the lemons are from our yard.

Dessert buffet station!! I love sweets!! We had baklava, mini cupcakes, brownie bites, cheese rolls, and three boxes full of assorted pastries (ie. napoleon, tiramisu, and etc. ) It was a big hit of the day. The guests kept coming back for more since there's always something new to try. Love it!! The three magnolias in the back are the ones I'll be using for my rehearsal. Of course, made by my MOH!

And, the piece de resistance, the cake!!! It was a marble cake with chocolate bavarian and cappuccino mousse filling. So yummy and tasty!! I will blog more about the cake and the inspiration that started it all.

Another favorite was the wish bowl where the guest can share their well wishes and marriage advice for Mr. Gardenia and I.

The cards were hand stamped and embossed using the same pattern just like the invites.

We got some of the nicest wishes from our guests so I thought I would share them with you.

"Always remember that the greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return." - Cousin A.
*Take note that this advise was one of the best ones and it was from my 15 year old cousin.*

"There is always a discovery stage in the relationship- please have patience, lots of laughter. Do not let disagreement stray your relationship- always do things together-minor or grand. Have lots of love."- Tita L.

" Blessing our lives with the most precious things, husbands are like angels without any wings."- Tita E.

Last, but not the least, " Conflict and disagreements are inevitable in marriage..but if you must fight...fight NAKED! :)- Bridesmaid J.

On with the pictures

I received about three sets of baking ware. I joked around with Mr. Gardenia and told him we'll be having brownies morning, noon and night. :)

One of my favorites, alohawear!! My aunt who gifted us with our honeymoon to Maui gave me this dress and other brochures of Maui. I love it!

We definitely had lots food, fun, games, lots of sweet stuff, laughter and love that filled the room. It was so nice to see everyone there that truly cares a lot for Mr. Gardenia and I.