Autumn Bridal Shower

My friends and I are hosting a bridal shower this weekend with an autumn theme. I set the table today to get a head start. I like to stretch my entertaining chores out. I wouldn't dream of doing everything in one day. I'd be too pooped to party!! :)

In this photo, notice the invitation on the stand. I always like to make my own invitations to compliment the color and theme of the party.

Here's a little tip. Display your invite on a little easel on the food or foyer table for the bride and all to see as they arrive. It gives your event an extra special touch. Since I can't show you the actual food we will be serving (promise for a later post), I'll do the next best thing...well...not really. But anyway, I've labeled what I'll be serving in each dish above. To the left, I've stacked cake plates to display a variety of cupcakes.

Oh, by the way, I'll be making Mary with One Perfect Bite's recipe for Pumpkin Cupcakes. I've been just dying for a good excuse to try these goodies out! Haven't been able to find maple extract so I might have to improvise with the icing. Wish me luck, Mary!

On the right in the tall gold holders, I'll be placing chocolate dipped pretzel rods. For these, I'll be using a cross between recipes from Cozy Kitchen by the Sea and Our Family Attic. I'll let you know how they turn out.

I arranged burlap over my brown tablecloth to give it a little texture. I just cut a rectangle out of my burlap and frayed the edges. Easy Easy!

Layering burlap on the tablecloth was so much fun, I continued cutting squares of burlap for my stacked cake stands ready to serve a variety of luscious cupcakes.

Oh, these golden jewels fell in my basket at TX Maxx begging me to take them home. So I did.

I see myself using them to hold candles most of the time. Won't they be gorgeous with candles flickering through them?!

But on this occasion, I'm going to try displaying chocolate and candy coated pretzel rods in them. I can visualize this in my mind so hope it looks as pretty as I think it will. This fallish plate and bowl couldn't bear to be separated from the golden holders above so they fell in my buggy too! Imagine that!! I'll be serving pumpkin dip in the bowl and surrounding the dip with ginger snaps and sliced apples on the plate. I've served this pumpkin dip before and it's yummy. Here's the easy, fast recipe:

Pumpkin Dip

1/2 cup canned pumpkin

3/4 cup cream cheese

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 tsp maple syrup

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Mix and serve with sliced apples, ginger snaps or graham crackers for a fall treat.

This little leaf is a perfect dish for nuts and candy. I had an idea to toss some candy corn in with my mixed nuts. WOWZIE! It was one of my better ideas! Try it, you'll like it! Well, of course, every well dressed table needs candles so I've filled clear candle holders with nuts and a votive candle in the center.

Hope you enjoyed my autumn bridal shower preview. Hopefully, I'll have time to take a few photos of the actual shower, food and all, and share them with you. Stay tuned for that.

As for now, while the candle burns, head on over to Rhoda's Fall Recipe Party and Susan's Tablescape Thursday.