You remember our new friend Lynsey in North Carolina, don’t you?  I mentioned her a few posts back.  She’s a big fan of Kate Aspen favors, and she’s a newlywed herself.  What’s more, she’s already busy with parties for her soon-to-be sister-in-law, Taylor, and she’s graciously agreed to let us peek in on some of the fun!

A little background about Miss Taylor, the bride-to-be.  Taylor and Zach (Lynsey’s brother) met through mutual friends at a dinner in 2007.  They hit it off pretty quickly, once they realized they’d both attended the same college in Salisbury, NC, and had actually met before through another mutual friend (friends can be so handy!).  Talk about kismet!  Two years and one proposal later, Lynsey’s enjoying the parties leading up to the December wedding.

This was an “Around the House” shower, with each guest assigned a particular room .  Here’s a pic of the invitation, just the cutest idea!  This is an actual photograph of Taylor and Zach holding hands, and you can see her engagement ring – love it!

The hostesses focused on Taylor’s wedding colors of wine and ivory, and the centerpiece of all the fun was the fabulous food!

Bruschetta, meatballs, cheese and crackers, quiches, 7 layer Mexican dip, fruit, sandwich tray, pinwheels, Buffalo chicken dip, oh-so-yum and then there’s the dessert table – super-wow!

Games? They played three – how fun!

• The Safety Pin Game – this one always gets the conversation started.  The “special words” were “Bride”, “Groom” and “Wedding”.
• Bridal Bingo – this games a lot of fun, and you can find do-it-yourself instructions here
• Did You Know? – a brain teaser game where each guest gets a pad and a pencil, and the hostess asks questions about the bride.  The one with the most correct answer wins – and this game can get pretty funny!

Prizes for the games?  Cute little scented pillar candles – something everybody loves!

One more clever idea for you -  each guest was given a card on which to write a personal message to the bride and groom.  Each author designated whether the message was to be opened and read at the wedding, on the honeymoon or on the 1^st anniversary.  The messages were then sorted and nicely sealed away until their designated “reveal”.  How personal and special is that?

According to Lynsey – Taylor received some wonderful gifts for her new life with Zach, but the memories of the friends and the fun were the very best part.

Each special guest was thanked with not one but TWO Kate Aspen favors!    Lynsey chose the  Love Beyond Measure  spoons in the exclusive Kate Aspen personality box that matched Taylor’s lovely wine wedding color.  Another clever hostess put her own spin on presentation (and we love it) for the Fall in Love coasters.  Lucky guests!

Congratulations again Taylor! We look forward to the details from your Bachelorette party in Charlotte!

“She’s getting married!  We have to  give her The Best Shower Ever!”

Here are five different wedding showers for your Shower Think Tank!

Sip and Paint – Seems there’s one on every corner these days, usually in a tony little shopping strip, where you can paint on canvas or pottery or even on glassware – and the owner sets the mood for fun!  Check out the crafts section of the Yellow Pages to find one.  They are happy to accommodate bridal showers – you sip, paint, open gifts and have a ball! Tip:  Paint your own invitations – pick up blank craft invitations at Michaels and Hobby Lobby.

Favor Suggestion

Monogrammed Koozie!

Honey-Do - Oh, go ahead – include the guys. A “Honey-Do” shower is a cute take on a Hardware Shower.  Be sure your couple is registered at hardware stores, like Home Depot.  Look for clever “tool” invitations to set the mood.  A backyard barbecue is always good for a “Honey-Do”.

Favor Suggestion

Hot off The Grill!

Recipe – I love this shower!  Buy some really cute recipe cards and include them with the invitation.  Or put two in the envelope and make one the invitation!  Instruct your guests to write out a recipe on the card, then make their gift something that goes along with the recipe – like a favorite salad, coupled with a salad bowl and tongs! Tip:  A good game for this shower – The Spice Guessing Game.  Fill small bowls with different spices.  Give everyone paper and pencil, pass around the spices, and let everyone guess what they are.

Favor Suggestion

Recipe for Love!

Sushi - Depending on where you live, you can do this one in-house from a take-out menu, or go to the Sushi Bar – they’d love to accommodate your group!  Use asian-themed invitations and do it up right!

Favor Suggestion

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Double Happiness Bottle Stopper!

Zoo – You’re never to old to enjoy the zoo (or a local museum works just as well).  Call your local zoo to get ideas – they are always hosting parties.  Use a zoo-themed invitation then go enjoy the lions and the tigers!

Favor Suggestion

Imperial Elephant Tea Light Holder!

Happy Planning!

Have you ever considered doing a genuine English high tea for a bridal shower?  No, not just finger sandwiches and cookies – a bona-fide high tea is a big deal, and your guests will be so delighted!

While afternoon tea is dotted with tea biscuits, lemon curd and clotted cream, along with a few assorted tiny sweets and savories, a true high tea is more like an American dinner, but with hot tea and lovely china cups and saucers.  Start with a savory bacon, onion and herb bread pudding, followed by a light salad with real English Salad Cream, and move on to Potted Shrimps (actually quite delicious) and Old English Chicken and Ham Pie.  Add a few little savories on the side – like Cheese Scones and a rustic English bread, served with a strawberry jam and maybe some home made lavender honey!  You can find the recipes here - and most you can make in advance.

A Spot of Tea Etiquette

When serving lemon with tea, lemon slices are preferable, not wedges. Either provide a small fork or lemon fork for your guests, or have the tea server can neatly place a slice in the tea  cup after the tea has been poured. Be sure never to add lemon with milk since the lemon’s citric acid will cause the proteins in the milk to curdle.

Milk is served with tea, not cream. Cream is too heavy and masks the taste of the tea. Although some pour their milk in the cup first, it is probably better to pour the milk in the tea after it is in the cup in order to get the correct amount.

Tea cups with a handle are held by placing one’s fingers to the front and back of the handle with one’s pinkie up again allows balance. Pinkie up does mean straight up in the air, but slightly tilted. It is not an affectation, but a graceful way to avoid spills. Never loop your fingers through the handle, nor grasp the vessel bowl with the palm of your hand.Do not stir your tea, with your tea spoon, in sweeping circular motions. Place your tea spoon at the six o’clock position and softly fold the liquid towards the twelve o’clock position two or three times. Never leave your tea spoon in your tea cup. When not in use, place your tea spoon on the right side of the tea saucer. Never wave or hold your tea cup in the air. When not in use, place the tea cup back in the tea saucer…

Compliments of WhatsCookingAmerica.net

Lots to think about, so here’s my idea.  Research High Tea traditions and etiquette, then make yourself up a “High Tea Guide” – a little booklet with all the interesting things you discover.  Then make it part of your invitation – and “request” that your guests wear gloves and hats – what fun!  Then bring out the good china, pull out the white tablecloths and have a ball!

And don’t forget the favors!

More tea anyone? LOL!

Fabulous Favors by Kate Aspen