backyard garden party

Happy Friday, people! One week ago, I was watching the weather forecast like a hawk and pulling together last minute details for a bridal shower that would take place in my backyard the next day. I have seen so many beautiful photos of events like this that take place outside in some beautiful, peaceful setting, but I don’t ever get to go to those parties. Because they happen in Mississippi or California or someplace with predictable weather. Not in Nebraska, folks. We have our bridal showers in living rooms and church fellowship halls because hey, there could be a tornado or rain or cold or wind or heat or whatever on any given day of the week. And those showers are great, too, but I’ve always wanted to venture outdoors and take a gamble on the weather in the hopes that everything turns out perfectly. And it actually did, for this bridal shower for my dear friend Emily.

Actually, we woke up to damp grass, clouds and chilly lower-50s weather. But the Weather Channel promised me the sun would come out 1 hour before guests would start arriving, giving me hope that things would dry out and warm up. And it faithfully turned into a spectacularly sunny, pleasant afternoon.

(Plates and most of the vintage chairs are from Nostalgia Rentals and they were awesome! Thanks Jessica!)

My mom and sister helped make these wine glass planters the night before. Did you see this idea on Design Sponge last week? Fortunately, the people we bought our house from loved landscaping and left us a fantastic yard. All the other greenery was trimmed from the yard on Saturday morning.

The guest of honor…

We wanted to do a photo booth of sorts around the swing, but with it being windy, my original idea for this fell through. We still had fun taking some photos afterward. The real fun began when I started flipping through the images after the shower and realized it was much funnier to see the progression of images as a group would get ready to take their photo. Nothing like being forced in front of the camera and letting things get a little awkward.

I think the three of us could sing backup. Also, is it just me or did we catch the baby bump kicking? 🙂

This is the bride with her mom and three sisters. They are way too cute.

It was so fun. I’m not even kidding – a fun bridal shower! Thanks, Allison, Bethany, Kinsey, Beth, Katy, Mom, Molly and everyone who came for everything you did to make the afternoon special for Emily!