french bridal shower

I love all things French. The food, the fashion, the architecture, the culture. Mostly the food. My sister-in-law, Keelie, feels the same way. In fact she even speaks the language, something I have yet to attempt. So, I could not think of a better theme for her bridal shower. 

I wanted to have an atmosphere of romance and femininity. Pink and black seem to reflect both of those things. And tulle. Ya'll, I love me some tulle. I mean is there anything more girly than tulle? 

Audrey Hepburn is probably definitely the loveliest thing to come out of Hollywood. Ever. She stars in the original Sabrina and it is one of my favorites. I know all of you have seen Sabrina with Harrison Ford. And it is amazing. But if you have not seen the original Sabrina, you need to. Right now. I set up the food table in front of the screen and the movie played silently during the shower. It. Was. Awesome. Definitely my favorite part of the party.

For the table decor I used the church's china, I just could not bring myself to use paper plates for such an occasion. I bought Madeline cookies and then piped a "K" in candy coating on each cookie for favors. It was something that was really easy and made big impact at the same time.

The shower was in the afternoon so the food didn't need to be particularly filling, but if you know me at all, there will be food. And it will be filling-can't have my guests going home hungry. 

I made small sandwiches on baguettes, you can't have French food without some kind of crusty, delicious bread. There was ham, chicken salad and vegetarian. We also had French onion soup (I have the BEST and easiest recipe-be sure and check that out).           

Then to round everything out we had these adorable crudités in slices of bread, because well more bread is always better. How is it those French women stay so skinny anyway? 

And you know we had to have dessert.                     
One word. Croquembouche. It's the beautiful tower of spun sugar and cream puffs. Well, sister was going to do spun sugar but let's just say that didn't work out.                               

So, plan B-powdered sugar. And a really cute "K" on top. It worked. It was delicious and adorable and Keelie loved it. And I wasn't covered in sticky sugar all day. Sometimes a girls gotta' do what a ...well you know. 

I REALLY do not like games at showers. It can be kind of awkward and everyone dreads it any way. So I decided to have cards on each table that ladies could write their marriage or relationship advice on for Keelie. I truly believe that part of success in marriage is watching and listening to couples that are and have been in a God-centered marriage. There is so much wisdom to be passed down, and this was a good way to start Keelie's "collection". 

For the "guest book" I went to our local paint-your-own pottery store and did a plate for everyone to sign. I really wanted Keelie to have something that she could use over the years to remind her of her special day. 

It was a blessed day spent with Keelie and our family and of course...delicious food.