Fall Themed Bridal Brunch

Fall Themed Bridal Brunch

It’s fall! The temperatures are getting cooler, the trees are changing color, and everyone is breaking out their boots and scarves! I mean…I live in Texas, so it’s still over 100 degrees, most of the plants are dead from the summer, and we’ll be wearing shorts for the next couple of months…but…you get the sentiment.

I figured the start of September would be the perfect time to share pictures from a Fall Themed Bridal Brunch my mom hosted a few years ago. I realize “wedding season” is drawing to a close, but there are still plenty of couples that plan weddings in the fall. Bridal showers don’t always have to be full of white tulle, chicken salad sandwiches, and all white flowers (though those are beautiful as well!). If you choose to host a shower that corresponds to the current season, you can not only easily find decor, but you can often use things your home is already decorated with!

Once the hostesses decided “fall” was their theme, colors and inspiration came easily. For a fun twist, they decided to have a brunch instead of a lunch, which allowed them to plan a delicious, simple menu. I’ve posted some pictures and information below to give you ideas if you have an upcoming shower to plan and want to take the same route!

Guests were welcomed with pumpkins tied with raffia bows and a beautiful fall wreath.

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Once inside, they were led into the family room to drop off their presents for the bride-to-be. Her chair for opening gifts was marked with a simple bouquet of white balloons. As you can see, my mom’s fall decor on the mantle and around the house flow into the theme seamlessly.

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Another touch my mom added, was to create some custom pennant banners in corresponding colors. If you have access to a sewing machine (and someone who knows how to sew), these are a fun way to personalize your decor. Since this bride’s wedding was also in the fall, my mom gifted them to her to use as wedding decor as well!

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Also in the living room was a table with pictures of the engaged couple and a recipe box. Recipe cards were sent out with the invitations with a request for guests to provide their favorite recipe.
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I love a good poem, so most of the “signage” around the house rhymed. The sign for the recipe cards said, “The kitchen is where Kim loves to be. Please use this box for your recipe!”

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After dropping off their gift and recipes, guests moved into the kitchen where a juice and coffee bar was set up to go along with the brunch theme.

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Small chalkboard signs like the one below were placed around the drinks and food to guide guests as well as let them know what dishes were being served.

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In the dining room, the buffet had another pennant banner as well as plates, napkins, and forks for guests to load up on the delicious brunch!
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For flowers, the hostesses used natural fall blooms like mums, zinnias, and lantana. Many of them were clipped from their own yards fresh that morning. A good way to keep cost down is to use flowers you have available already or at least ones that are in season.

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The spread for brunch included several assorted muffins, coffee cake, and quiche among other items. It was the perfect spread that included something for everyone whether they wanted a filling meal or simply a light snack.

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Another fun touch was these decorative Bride and Groom food picks that were placed throughout the food.

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Who doesn’t love a good monogram? We enlisted my husband’s help to carve the bride and groom’s initials into this craft pumpkin. It was a great centerpiece for the table, and it was a keepsake the couple can use to decorate with for years to come!

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After enjoying brunch, opening gifts, and socializing, the shower came to an end. On the way out, guests were gifted a small box of Hershey’s Hugs & Kisses. The accompanying poem read, “Love is sweet, like hugs and kisses. Thanks for celebrating the soon-to-be Mrs.!”

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I hope you agree that this is proof that you can throw a bridal shower that is unique, and it will still be successful. The most important thing is that the bride loves it, and in this case, she definitely did!

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January Favorites!

I can’t believe the first month of 2015 is over already! I had a great start to the year, so I figured I would share a few of my favorites with y’all!

Tiny Prints Stationary 

Have you ever heard of Tiny Prints? If you haven’t, I’m sorry, because they have dangerously cute merchandise. I apologize in advance because it’s so hard to visit their website without purchasing something! I recently ordered these two sets of personalized stationary, and I couldn’t love them more. Anyone want a handwritten note in the mail??

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Our Bedroom

We have lived in our apartment for around two and a half years now, but I recently completed the gallery wall in our bedroom. I absolutely love the feel of the room because it is so happy and colorful. When we were picking out our bedding, we both agreed that we wanted something that was fun and vibrant instead of the typical “adult” feel. We wound up getting this quilt from Urban Outfitters, and I’ve decorated the rest of our room around it. Our gallery wall holds all sorts of fun things I’ve picked up over time. The deer is some string art from Target. I purchased the USA banner for $.40 on clearance at Hobby Lobby and painted it orange. The white frame holds a glittered greeting card I liked. The giraffe in the center is a wood cut out I admired at Hobby Lobby, but I decided it was too pricey. I came home one day, and it was laying on the bed with a note from Louis as a surprise (best husband ever, right?). I say it’s “done,” but I’m sure I will keep adding things here and there that I stumble upon! I love gallery walls because you can really incorporate such a variety of things that you like!

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iPhone 6 & Otterbox

Louis and I upgraded to the iPhone 6 at the beginning of December, and I’ve been loving it! When they first released the iPhone 6, I was annoyed with how big it is, but I’ve quickly adjusted and it’s great! We both went with the 6 (versus the basically tablet-sized iPhone 6 plus) and purchased Otterbox Symmetry cases. I fell in love with the Floral Pond color and snatched it up during one of the rare times it wasn’t out of stock. It’s the perfect amount of protection without making my phone feel like a brick, and I love the unique watercolor look.

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Anne’s Upcoming Wedding!

Back in October, my friend Anne asked me to be a bridesmaid in her upcoming wedding, and I am SO excited! I’ve known that I get to be part of her wedding for a few months now, but the ball is really starting to get rolling on wedding planning, so I’m thrilled for all of the upcoming festivities! I get excited every time she texts me with a new update. Anne is one of the most kind, hilarious, wonderful people I know, and I can’t wait to see what a beautiful bride she will make!

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My Birthday

I turned 26 (SO OLD) on January 12, and Louis and my family made it so special! On the Friday before my birthday, Louis took a half day off at work and surprised me at home with birthday decorations and a beautiful bouquet of flowers! We spent the weekend celebrating at our favorite places to eat and shop and had a wonderful time. He makes me feel so loved all the time!

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Since my actual birthday was on a Monday, we decided not to drive home to Houston. I was pretty bummed because I love spending my birthday with my family, but they understood. On Monday morning, Louis surprised me by taking the day off and fixing me a delicious breakfast in bed. My sister called to wish me happy birthday, so I got to spend some time FaceTiming with her and my adorable nephews…technology is so great! I eventually got up and started getting ready. In the middle of doing my makeup, I heard a knock at the door…my parents drove all the way from Houston to surprise me! Seriously, how great are they?!

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I was so shocked and happy they were here! They’re the best parents, and I really cherish our time together, especially since we moved away to San Antonio. They came bearing gifts, too! They brought a care package of some of my favorite homemade foods, a delicious homemade birthday cake, a precious candle holder, and (possibly my favorite) the cutest monogrammed chambray shirt! As you can see in the pictures, I loved it so much, I put it on right away. 🙂 They also brought up my gift from my sister and her family…a selfie stick! We used it to take the group shot below, and I can’t wait to get tons of use out of it!

7We went to Chuy’s for lunch, Bakery Lorraine for my mom’s favorite pistachio macarons, and came home to play some board games together before they had to get back on the road. I love that my dad took off work, and they spent the day traveling all the way from Houston just to spend my birthday with me. They made it so special, and I felt so loved and grateful.

The next few months should be pretty busy, so I’m happy the year was off to a good start! What was your favorite part of January?

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