That's Amore Backyard Bridal Shower

Some clients hand you a theme along with a list of dozens of things they want to include and how they want everything to look (which is fine!). BUT then there are the clients who hand you a theme, smile, and say, "Go for it." If I'm being honest, that second kind is my very favorite way to design an event!

That's exactly what happened with this bridal shower. It was for one of my favorite clients, someone who truly loves opening up her home to the people she cares about. She gave me two words, That's Amore, and let me run with it. And can we talk about this backyard?! The weather turned out to be perfect, the sun was shining, and the whole space felt like the most perfect spot I could have dreamt up for an Italian-inspired celebration. She spent weeks gardening and perfecting her flower beds and the effort really showed. It was just beautiful!

I handled the design and setup, so I was long gone by the time the bride and guests arrived. But I'll tell you, walking away from those tables, I knew it was going to be a beautiful day. Warning this post has a LOT of photos, but I loved it so much, it was so hard to choose!

When I think That's Amore, I think of a long Italian lunch, a red gingham tablecloth, and a table overflowing with good food. So that's where I started! Classic red and white gingham, bentwood chairs, rattan chargers, and crystal glassware set the scene. And then the real fun began: the centerpieces.

I wanted these to feel fresh, fun, and full of real food. Every centerpiece had terracotta pots of fresh basil and roses, piles of vine tomatoes, garlic bulbs, breadsticks standing tall in glass, and apothecary jars filled to the brim with pasta. And I mean filled. I just kept adding more and more pasta until I finally got the look I was going for. (There's no such thing as too much pasta, right?!)

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My favorite part? Nothing went to waste! Guests took home the basil and tomatoes to make their own pasta sauce, along with the pasta itself. It's the kind of party favor that doesn't end up in a junk drawer, and I love that the celebration carried on into everyone's kitchens.

The food-as-decor idea carried all the way down to each place setting. Those yellow place cards? They're actual pieces of uncooked lasagna noodles! I used my Cricut to cut out each guest's name in vinyl and adhered it right onto the noodle. Those ruffled edges were made for this!

Under each place card sat a white napkin with the couple's new monogram, which I also made on my Cricut. After the shower, the host gave the whole set to the bride to take home and use for her own meals as newlyweds. This is one of my very favorite things to do for a bridal shower! It's such a simple way to give the bride something she'll actually use, and every time she sets her table, she'll think of this day!

Every good Italian lunch needs a spritz! The signature cocktail was a Hugo Spritz, which is the perfect light, airy, refreshing drink for an afternoon in the garden. Over at the bar, I kept the food-as-decor theme going with stacked cans of San Marzano tomatoes, jars of pasta, red and white striped straws, and bowls of bright lemons.

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I'll be honest: this little green corner below gave me the hardest time! I wanted something different (not another "That's Amore" sign!). I went back and forth on what should go on the boxwood wall. In the end, I designed, printed, and framed custom signage, with sweet hand-drawn Italian food illustrations surrounding a photo of the happy couple. Then I added oversized yellow bowtie noodles (found on Amazon!) with long ribbon tails for a pop of color. It ended up being one of my favorite spots of the whole shower.

Tips for Your Own Shower

• Let the food be the decor. Real produce, herbs, and pasta look abundant and beautiful, and guests can take them home afterward. No waste, and a favor everyone will actually use!

• Go bigger than you think. If your centerpiece looks a little sparse, add more. Then add a little more. That overflowing look is what makes it feel generous. I showed up with boxes and boxes of 'stuff' for the tables (and we only had 3 large rounds!). Too little on the table makes it look unintentional, this was A LOT but it was actually just the right amount!

• Give the bride a keepsake she'll use. Monogrammed napkins are such a thoughtful gift from the host, and they go straight into her new home.

• Personalize the small things. A name on a lasagna noodle costs next to nothing, but it's the detail everyone talks about!

  
  

After more than ten years of coordinating weddings and events, I can tell you the most memorable parties are the ones with a clear theme and a lot of heart in the details.

If you're dreaming up a shower, a birthday, or a celebration of your own and want a little help bringing your theme to life, I'd love to hear about it! Reach out and let's chat. And if you want more ideas like these sent right to your inbox, join my newsletter!

I'd love to know: what theme would you choose for a bridal shower? I love hearing about new themes and trying them out for myself or for my clients! Tell me in the comments!

xo, Nicci