April {Bridal} Showers!

While there are many options for bridal shower motifs, there's still something very sweet about the traditional rain-themed shower (especially in spring). Looking for a fun and interesting twist on this tried and true theme? I love the adorable "bathroom shower" take found on these imprintable cards by marzipan inc.! Available with or without fill-in text and greeting, these invites would certainly make inviting easy on any hostess! Matching envelope and glitter embellishments included. Make no mistake...guests will surely get the message they'll be showering the lucky couple with helpful gifts and lots of love!

~Erin, Bride Design and Sweet Talk Boutique

clever alternative to baby announcements & favors

if handing out cigars or beef sticks after the birth of your baby isn't exactly your thing, try something clever like magnets featuring an image of your baby and all of his/her birth information. (also available for many other occasions such as save-the-date, graduation, birthday announcements, and wedding favors.)



another clever option are custom m&m's. now you can put your own words and photos on those little round chocolates! there are a multitude of colors to choose from, and while they're quite pricey, they certainly are cute! available in bulk or in several favor-sized options!



*magnet image courtesy of fin+roe
*m&m image snagged from m&m website

invitation alternatives :: fill-ins & imprintables

let's face it. while having custom made invitations and announcements made for special occasions like weddings or the birth of a baby is great, sometimes that sort of thing isn't in the budget for certain events like a cocktail party, family barbeque, or bridal shower. this is where two great alternatives come into play.

the first are fill-in invitations. this is the type of invitation (or announcement) that has the pre-printed "who:, what:, where:, when:, why:" information ready for you to plug in your information, stamp, and send on it's way. super simple solution and typically super affordable.

for those of you who are more confident with typing up the wording for your invitation in word processing software, an imprintable gives you more flexible options in that you can write whatever you want, wherever you want! some companies even offer the option to do the custom printing for you. (for a fee of course) so while it's not a custom design, it is customized to your special event.



1. fondu fill-in invitation. in-vita paper studio :: available soon.
2. new puppy fill-in announcements. marzipan inc. (available at shades of violet) :: $6.00/box of 10 (sale price)
3. sophisticated sun party custom printed invitations. rock scissor paper :: $24/box of 10
4. shower invites. available as fill-in or imprintable marzipan inc. (available at shades of violet):: $7.50/box of 10 (sale price)

A Bridal Shower Tea

One of my favorite ways to throw a bridal shower is to host a tea in the bride's honor. The varieties of stationery, favors and decor available for this type of event are endless! Whether you approach the theme from a classic and nostalgic point of view, or choose to host a tea that is a more modern affair, any interpretation makes for a fun party that guests and the guest-of-honor will truly enjoy.

Start out by giving guests a taste of what they can expect at the shower with a cookie invite, like the one shown above, from Sweet Talk Boutique! Sweet Talk's signature shortbread/sugar cookie recipe tastes great with a cup of tea. Don't worry, a paper invite is included as well, so your guests can enjoy the cookie and still remember the details of the day. Hosts can further make the tea theme fun for guests by encouraging them to bring a vintage tea cup as part of their gift and contribute to a collection for the bride. Vintage tea cups also serve as a great party favor, as do packets of tea, or bundles of delicious loose tea tied-up and tagged with the bride's monogram or name and the date of the event.

Looking for a shower gift that any tea-sipping bride will love? How about a subscription to Springcart's Tea of the Month Club? I love a gift that keeps giving long after the shower is over. Of course, every bride knows that the most important task after a shower (besides enjoying all those great gifts with your groom-to-be or new husband!), is writing thank you notes. The letterpress thank you notes from Paper Stories Letterpress, shown below, are ideal for just this purpose! Treating yourself to a nice warm cup while you write, will also make that most crucial task a little more enjoyable.

A bridal tea need not be limited to a bridal shower. It's also nice choice for an intimate pre-wedding wedding party with the bride's friends, or an après dress-fitting get together with the bride and her attendants. You and your guests could cozy up for high-tea in a victorian mansion as fall winds blow outside, or perhaps you'll choose to sip some mint tea in your sunny backyard garden. One thing I know for sure, is that a tea-themed shower is guaranteed to be warm and welcoming. Just like that first, delightful, sip from your favorite cup of tea.

Photos courtesy of Sweet Talk Boutique and Paper Stories Letterpress

~ Erin, Bride Design and Sweet Talk Boutique