Joint Baby + Bridal Shower

I've hosted quite a few showers with my friends by now. We pretty much have it down to a science.

They started out more simple, and still are, but have developed into encompassing more details. Small touches. Embellishments.Very put together.

And ya know what? I like it.

My husband recently asked me if I thought anyone really cared about or noticed the paper pinwheels, tagged toothpicks or paper embellishments I spend so much time to design, print, cut and make.

To be honest, I didn't know the answer to his question. I wasn't sure if anyone appreciated them as much as I do.

For a second, I felt deflated. Maybe my work has gone unnoticed all these times and it wasn't really worth it? I can't knock the hubby for thinking like this. He's a realist and well, a guy. He just doesn't get the power of details.

Regardless if any guests truly notice the details or pay attention to the time and effort I pour into these showers, it doesn't matter. It's something I'm passionate about and I frankly enjoy doing.

I get giddy about a simple theme for a party turning into a put together masterpiece where every place you look incorporates a detail that could very well get overlooked. But, when you look at the party as a whole, it stands out.

I'd say that was my goal for the joint baby and bridal shower I recently hosted. Say wah? Yep, two of my out-of-town besties have big things happening in their lives. One is headed down the aisle and the other is headed for chaos. Hah.

I have never hosted a combined baby and bridal shower, and to be honest, it was somewhat challenging. I had to find a happy medium to incorporate both baby and bridal, offering both guests a shower that was relevant to each of their exciting new chapters.

With the invitation being the first thing guests would see explaining the not-so-ordinary shower, it had to be spot on with the description without sounding generic. I was pretty proud of the rhyming I came up with to do just that.

Invites were gray and yellow with a Morrocan pattern. No real theme, just classy. 

Now for the fun stuff.

I'll start off with the sweets, because you all know that's what I think is most important.

Baby buggies and wedding cake sugar cookies adorned with the bride's soon-to-be last name initial.

 Ordered from Connie's Cookies

The bride took home a basket full of household goodies and the bride left with some baby girl gear. 

Everything matched the theme colors of course. 

We offered both a bridal and a baby-friendly drink. Lemonade and White Sangria.

The White Sangria was YUMMY.

Fresca + bottle of white wine + fruit for garish.

That's it. Easy peasy.

Kansas City was oh-so-lucky to have its millionth snowfall starting the night before the shower, and affected several people from not even being able to make it. 

Nevertheless, the 10:00 start time got bumped to Noon and we enjoyed Yogurt Parfaits, Breakfast Casserole Bites, and Assorted Mini Muffins.  

We were supposed to have French Toast bites as well, but that dish was a doozy and had to be thrown away. Everything can't go as planned, now can it?

Small touches and embellishments included decorative paper pinwheels (tutorial here), bride + baby toothpicks for the yogurt parfaits, food display tags, advice cards for the mom to be and bride to be (not pictured), and a few other things.

To spice up the mason jars below (right), I simply rolled up a piece of paper, stuck it inside the jar, and used as utensil holders. I also did this for Carson's 1st birthday party with football paper.

What a great shower!

If you're ever thinking of hosting a joint baby + bridal shower, it's doable. And fun! Congrats to my besties!