Bridal Shower Ideas {June 25, 2012}

My sister Kati just got engaged and the wedding planning has begun. So, that means my bridal shower planning is already well underway. I LOVE throwing showers. I think they are so fun. I LOVED throwing Brooke's shower earlier this year, and I hope it gave me enough practice to make this shower run a little smoother. Kati's style is different than Brooke's and I am excited to do something a little different. Kati is really simple and classic. She loves more bohemian and rustic things, so thats what her shower will be. Thank Heaven for Pinterest to give me lots of ideas. Here's some of the ideas I have found so far.

I found SO many amazing blogs to help me out with my rustic themed shower... here are my favorites:

Santa Barbara Chic
Simply Rosie
Hostess With The Mostess

I think there are few must haves for a rustic shower:

1. Mason Jars- they are so cute and versitile you can use them for drinking, serving, displays, and center pieces. The best part is-- they aren't too expensive and you can send them home with the guests as their part of their gift... double duty.
2. Burlap - Burlap is one of the cheapest fabrics you can buy- seriously. It comes in TONS of colors and you can use it for SO many things. The key to a good party is having items that can perform double or even triple duty.
3. Lots of white - White makes things clean and simple, nothing is more rustic than simple. For Kati's shower we will have all white linens, napkins, and flowers. Simple and no worrying about matching.
4. Twine - Twine is so cute and also really inexpensive. You can make almost anything rustic by adding a little burlap and twine. Quick and easy.
5. Wood-  I am in LOVE with the wood planter with the white flowers. I am hoping this can be one of my DIY's for the shower. I would love that to be the center pieces. All it is is four pieces of wood nailed together with glass jars down inside (in our case mason jars) with some gorgeous white flowers. Done and Done!

I think texture is going to be the key for her shower, not so much color. I am thinking alot of browns, tans, and whites. Nothing too crazy.
Since I have been known to string my self a little thin I am going to work off a to-do list. Man do I love to do lists. Nothing better than cross things off and seeing your list get smaller and smaller. So, here's my shower to do list:

1. Get a guest list
2. Find a location
3. Design and send invites
4. Get a menu (I'm thinking a lemonade drink, cupcakes/cake, fruit, veggies, and a pasta salad)
5. Order mason jars ( I think I can just pick these up at Walmart- but I need to price compare online)
6. Get tables and chairs
7. Pick up twine and burlap
8. Order flowers ( I always just order them from Costco, they seem to be have the best price)
9. Order cake and cupcakes ( My friend Shannon is my go to girl. Go here, here and here to see some of her AMAZING cakes!)
10. Find a take home gift (I'm thinking mason jars with some kind of treat inside)
11. Get linens
12. Order straws and other papergoods
13. Set up
14. Enjoy the shower ( I  have to put that one on the list, because sometimes I forget that part :) )

I'll keep you posted on my progress with the shower. I can't wait to see it all come together.