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Party guide

A Bridal Shower

A garden-party bridal shower: florals, pretty little sandwiches, a lemonade stand and a few gentle games. Everything here is finger food, so guests can mingle and watch the gifts.

Host tip: Ask someone to write down each gift and who gave it while the bride opens them. She'll be glad to have the list when she writes her thank-you notes.

Shop the Bridal Shower list ↗Shop the Garden Party list ↗

The menu

Savory
Chicken salad on mini croissantsRecipe from Natasha's Kitchen ↗
Caprese skewersRecipe from Spend With Pennies ↗
Mini quicheRecipe from Sally's Baking Addiction ↗
Side
Fruit salad with honey-lime dressingRecipe from Spend With Pennies ↗
Dessert
Lemon barsRecipe from Sally's Baking Addiction ↗

Drinks and ice

  • Lavender lemonade, with gin or vodka on the side: recipe
  • A mimosa bar or a Hugo spritz (see cocktail cards)
  • Sparkling water with citrus

Lavender and lemon cubes

Freeze a few food-grade lavender buds and a thin lemon slice in each cube. Edible flowers (violas, small rose petals) look just as pretty for a garden theme.

Make ahead

  1. 1 week before: Ask guests for a recipe card or advice card if you're doing one. Order flowers.
  2. 2 days before: Make the lemon bars. Freeze the lavender cubes. Bake the mini quiche and refrigerate.
  3. 1 day before: Make the chicken salad and the lemonade base. Arrange the flowers. Set up the gift table.
  4. Morning of: Assemble the caprese skewers and fruit salad.
  5. 1 hour out: Fill the croissants, warm the quiche, pour the lemonade over the cubes.

The music

The 25 songs
  1. Marry You, Bruno Mars
  2. Everywhere, Fleetwood Mac
  3. Bless the Broken Road, Rascal Flatts
  4. I'm Yours, Jason Mraz
  5. Better Together, Jack Johnson
  6. Can't Help Falling in Love, Elvis Presley
  7. Crazy Love, Van Morrison
  8. Lucky, Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat
  9. Make You Feel My Love, Adele
  10. Perfect, Ed Sheeran
  11. Thinking Out Loud, Ed Sheeran
  12. All of Me, John Legend
  13. A Thousand Years, Christina Perri
  14. Speechless, Dan + Shay
  15. Die a Happy Man, Thomas Rhett
  16. Paper Rings, Taylor Swift
  17. Bubbly, Colbie Caillat
  18. Sugar, Maroon 5
  19. Just the Way You Are, Bruno Mars
  20. You Are the Best Thing, Ray LaMontagne
  21. Home, Michael Bublé
  22. First Day of My Life, Bright Eyes
  23. Unchained Melody, The Righteous Brothers
  24. Ribbon in the Sky, Stevie Wonder
  25. Chapel of Love, The Dixie Cups

Little touches

  • A gift for the host

    What guests can bring.

    From her registry

  • To take home

    A little something at the door.

    Mini honey jars, a seed packet or a small bag of lemon cookies

  • Something to do

    Advice cards, "Who said it?" or "How well do you know the bride?" (see Party games)

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