On A:

• Green Halter Dress – J Crew
• Orange Halter Top – BR Outlet, borrowed from S.
• Brown Sandals – Steve Madden
• Earrings – F21

To read more about how we did it, click through the jump!

We had such a fun time planning and hosting a backyard baby shower for E. and her husband N. that we wanted to share this event with you and to also show you some neat decorating how-to’s and recipes.

When hosting a baby shower, there are many things to consider: guest list, invitations, decorations, and menu. For such elegant parents-to-be, we knew that a sophisticated, co-ed shower would be the way to go. For us, this meant foregoing traditional baby shower games, pastel colors, and any gender specific references, in favor of simplicity, bright colors, and a relaxed backyard atmosphere.

The first thing we chose were our invitations. Unhappy with the selection of baby shower specific invitations, we went to one of E’s favorite stores instead, Anthropologie, and picked up these blank note cards, featuring an aesthetic we associate with E:

From these invitations, we pulled out our color scheme for the party, one of E’s favorite combinations: turquoise and mustard yellow. We then chose paper products in these colors and then used a variety of bright colors in the rest of our decorations:

Instead of balloons and streamers, we used an abundance of fresh flowers and these playful paper flowers (see how to make these yourself):

We placed vases of fresh flowers and hung our tissue paper flowers both indoors and outdoors:

For our menu, we planned appetizers, a main course, desserts, and drinks.

Appetizers:

• a selection of cheeses and crackers
• A’s homemade guacamole, salsa, and tortilla chips
• hummus and pita chips
• salted chocolate covered almonds (a favorite to all of us!)

• summer corn salad and fresh mozzarella dish
• tofu, vegetable, shrimp, and chicken skewers

• beer and wine
• Champagne Punch (non-alcoholic, aka “preggers”, and spiked)

But be careful to doubly mark the “preggers” version! We used some of our sticky notes and spare ribbon:

• strawberry and brownie skewers (we put these out with the appetizers)
• ice cream cupcakes

These were prepared especially for N., who is a big fan of ice cream cake. We chose a more backyard friendly version by making them in muffin pans, following this easy recipe. We think N. looks pleased:

Overall, we had a blast planning, hosting, and attending and we think our guests enjoyed themselves as well. We love both E. and N. and are so happy to have gotten to throw this special party for them.

Good luck, E. and N., as you get ready for the arrival of your little one! A & S.

13 Responses to “How To Throw A Backyard Baby Shower”

1. Katie K
   May 26th, 2009 @ 2:22 pm

   Having just attended a baby shower with traditional baby shower games and “it’s a boy!” blue everywhere, I love seeing this party! I’m sure it was a great time AND of course, you three look fashionable as always!

2. Kaylyn
   May 26th, 2009 @ 2:59 pm

   Wow! You all are some super creative ladies. I love the idea of ice cream cupcakes. We also just had a baby shower recently and chose to not have the traditional baby games and invite men. We had a good time. I’m liking the way baby showers are becoming more modern :)

3. piglet
   May 26th, 2009 @ 3:50 pm

   Everything looks just gorgeous, well done!
   I love how it looks really classy yet laid back and comfortable.
   Also love how A matched her apron to her dress!

4. Kendra
   May 26th, 2009 @ 4:06 pm

   Amazing job, ladies! The is the most sophisticated, adult-friendly shower I have ever seem. I hope my friends are an in-tune and creative as you!

5. Danielle
   May 26th, 2009 @ 5:13 pm

   This is so sweet! Looks so great!!! I’ll have to remember these tips :)

6. Kari
   May 26th, 2009 @ 7:40 pm

   Absolutely beautiful – all three of you AND the decorations AND E’s cheerful, colorful house. Thanks for sharing!

7. AcademicUnchic
   May 26th, 2009 @ 9:10 pm

   Lovely as always. I have the exact same J Crew halter dress as A – love the idea of wearing it with a little something underneath — is that a coral halter top underneath? Or is it a tank top? You don’t happen to have a photo showing the back do you?

8. Sal
   May 27th, 2009 @ 5:13 am

   What an incredibly gorgeous event you put together, ladies!

9. Mo
   May 27th, 2009 @ 5:14 am

   What a lovely shower! Congrats E and N on the little one and to A & S for pulling off such a great party!

10. I.
    May 27th, 2009 @ 9:04 am

    Ladies- congrats (to E for providing the reason of having the baby-party; to A, A2 & S for the amaising job)! This was elegant, fun, simple and sofisticated…

11. milly
    May 27th, 2009 @ 12:50 pm

    very creative!!!…everything looks great

12. admin
    May 27th, 2009 @ 3:22 pm

    Thanks for all of your sweet comments – we can’t emphasize enough how much we both enjoyed throwing this shower and celebrating with E.

    AcademicUnchic — the orange shirt is a halter that ties at the back of the neck. It provide more coverage in the front but also allowed me to wear a strapless bra because it was higher in the back too. I have worn this dress with other halter tops as well and always like the result and feel more comfortable in the dress.

    Piglet — I didn’t so much match my apron to my dress, it’s just that most things I own are green! You might also notice that my dress matches my walls, my dishes, my furniture, and my house in general!

    A.

13. Kimberly
    May 28th, 2009 @ 4:58 am

    Now this looks like a baby shower I wouldn’t mind attending!! I really dislike that standard showers with pink and blue garb and silly games. The tissue paper flowers are gorgeous (totally making some of those soon for a BBQ of ours). Also, you three look fantastic – love all the bright colors!

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