A 'Tea Party' Bridal Shower

Today I am linking my post up to Joyce's I Love Pretty Little Things,' "Friday Pretties."  Pop on over and you'll find plenty of other pretty little things to lay your eyes on...

The other weekend, I attended the most beautiful bridal shower EVER, for one of my favorite people.

My close friend, Shannon, who authors the blog Bell Jars and Butterflies, and who I have known since the first grade.  We go way back to stirrup pants and huarache sandals.  In fact, we know each other so well that my daughter is attending her mother's preschool which is located up the road from where I grew up.  Talk about friends forever and driving down memory lane--literally!

 Class and crafting ability go hand-in-hand with this family.  When I received my eloquently chic invitation in the mail, I knew the shower was going to be beautiful.  My mother, a prior interior decorator and wedding coordinator knows a thing or two about presentation.  One thing that I've heard her say that wont be forgotten, is that the invitation sets the tone for the event.  Shannon's invite did just so.

For the shower, Shannon chose a "Marie Antoinette tea-party" theme. 

Here are a couple of the photos that she says inspired her~

 Upon arrival, one couldn't help but look over the decorated dining room filled with the most decadent treats and tea party foods.

Let's begin with the treats, shall we?

Petite Fours

Choxie {for Target} Truffles

A delightful variety of mouthwatering goodness

Macarons

Lemon Bars

Vanilla Cake with Strawberry Cream Filling

Along with scones, tea sandwiches, deviled eggs, fruit and veggies.

I shouldn't forget tea, mimosas, wine and juice.

There were gorgeous flowers indoors and outdoors.

And the makings to help create a home.

Outside the tables were delicately dressed. 

Each table setting was a unique set of china.  Even the goblets were unique in their style.  Shannon began gathering the table settings and vases from Goodwill with her theme in mind.  I'd say it pays to be creative!  Now she has many unique place settings of china to use to her heart's desire.

 It was beautiful to see the flowers on the dishes, flowers on the table runners, and the fresh cut flowers meld together and look so lovely.  It was all so perfect under the June summer sun.

Shannon's sister used the same fabrics from the table runners to create this celebrate banner.  Isn't it so cute?  And it can be used again and again.

Meet Shannon, the soon-to-be-bride. 

She's beautiful and smart.  So smart that she'll receive her Naturopathic Doctorate next year!

After the baby of course.  That little bundle of love is due in the fall.

I mentioned she's crafty, right?  Check out these oh-so-creative bridal shower games that she came up with:

He Said, She Said.

(please take notice of the silhouettes.  They are indeed direct replicas of this fine couple.  Even his ponytail is an authentic outline!)

Who Knows the Couple Best? a Crossword Puzzle

and

Why Do We Do That? a matching game about the many wedding customs which are based upon superstitions and folk tales.  Who knew tieing cans to the wedding car was meant to frighten away evil spirits, or that the reason there is a a ring bearer is to ensure that the ring doesn't get dropped, or the wedding is doomed!  See, I'd never heard of these things.  You?

Prizes?  They were the best. 

An entire book on how to make Macarons

An assortment of cupcake liners in the cutest designs

And a Let Them Eat Cake candle and Let Them Eat Cake lip balm.

Finally, there were the favors.

The cutest decorated tins filled with various flavors of tea, attached with a sweet, heart strainer.

Yes, Love is seriously Brewing.

I've said it before, but I'll say it again~

I'd let Shannon plan and decorate my anything.

Wasn't it lovely?!