Kiwi Green and Damask Bridal Shower

My friend's 1 year anniversary is coming up...on Saturday to be exact. =) I had the priviledge of hosting the bridal shower (even though I wasn't the maid of honor). Her sister, who was the maid of honor, lived in Hawaii at the time and was not able to come out early for bridal shower festivities. I knew she wouldn't be able to plan the shower for a couple of months, so I was able to scope things out in advance.

 So, kiwi green is really hard to find...I just went with the lime green for the table cloths.

 There was over 100 ladies invited, so I had to be prepared for those who didn't 

RSVP and just show up. I had 15 round tables set up with 8 chairs around them.

 The clear favor boxes I got on clearance at Walmart. My mom and sister's helped me 

fill them with whoppers, which I also got on clearance after Halloween. The tags say, 

"whoppers of thanks!". You could also say, "thanks a whopper". =)

 I saved an invitation for Nikki (the Bride-to-be) and I got a small damask 

notebook from Michael's so whomever writes down her gifts can do so in 

style! And she can keep it and it matches all her wedding stuff. =)

 Because the stage was so bare and huge I wanted something else up decorative up there while she was opening her gifts. I figured my dress is just hanging in a bag...so, might as well use it. =) I bought the dress form from an antique shop for $50!!! Which is a total steal!!! =)

 I made up a simple game sheet. Games like 'who knows the bride?', wedding day scramble, and bingo (on the back)...were on the sheet. Whoever got the most questions correct on each section got a damask or lime/kiwi green themed prize.

 The giant silver "snowflakes" I got on Christmas clearance at Target, and the 16 inch green paper lanterns I got on clearance at Pier 1. I was able to sting fishing line across the whole gym (with my husband's help) and hang all my snowflakes and lanterns!! They looked so cool!!

 The cupcake stands were my most favorite of the whole shower! I got all of them for less then $3 each after Halloween (originally $6)! Underneath those pretty "D's" are skulls and haunted houses! haahaa!! I knew I wanted cupcake stands for the middle of the tables, but to buy the metal ones was WAY over my price range. When I saw the Halloween ones my brain wheels started turning. I knew I could create something that would cover up the Halloween stuff and still be classy for her shower. No one ever knew they were meant for Halloween! =)

 My other deal was the table runners...it's actually wrapping paper! I got it in the dollar section at Target! I was so excited!! I cleaned out the entire bin!!! =) I probably looked like a mad woman!

 

 I got a little carried away with the food. I actually had THREE food tables...how much did I think these ladies would eat! sheesh!! I should have listened to my wise mother who said I would only need two tables. I guess you have to learn the hard way sometimes. The food was pretty amazing though. I had a cheese ball, spinach and artichoke dip, salsa, meat and cheese tray, veggie tray, hummus, fruit kabobs...all of which I asked for help with. There was no way I would have been able to do the food by myself. I thank the ladies who graciously helped in that area!! Their help was much appreciated!!

 I must add...I got the green/white bowls on summer clearance from Michael's and the black bowls on Halloween clearance from Walmart. I don't know if you can see them clearly or not, but I have lime green gems scattered on the food tables. I also got them on summer clearance at Michael's.

 I must admit that I did not make the cupcakes. I ran out of time and it was something that I didn't want to think about. I had a lady at my church who makes cakes, make all the cupcakes for me. She did an excellent job!

 There she is!! The blushing and beautiful bride! =)

 The woman with the red blazer is my mom. She helped me a lot as well! I love her to pieces! The lady in the striped shirt is the one who made all the cupcakes! And they were delish!! All the ladies loved them!

 LOVE those lanterns!!

 The bride with her family-to-be. =)

 That's a lot of gifts!!

There you have it...a kiwi (lime) green and damask themed bridal shower on a budget.

It can be done! You have to ALWAYS be on the lookout for the clearance items.

 I wanted to include these cool little sayings. I found the actual sayings on the internet and recreated them to match all of Nikki's wedding stuff. Branson and I also had the privilege of making up Nikki and her hubby's wedding video to play at the reception, so I was able to use these in the video.

This is what I used for the front of her invitation. I printed it on half a sheet of card stock, basically, two invitations could fit on one sheet of card stock. The front was the invitation and the back was directions, where she was registered, and a picture of the bride and groom-to-be. I thought it turned out really good.

I LOVED how Nikki's shower turned out. I had the lights turned down low and with the candles on the tables made it feel cozy even in that big of a space....you forgot about the height of the ceiling because of the lanterns and snowflakes hanging overhead. I think Nikki loved everything and was surprised (at least a little bit). =) 

I can't wait to share some highlights from her wedding!