Wednesday, October 21, 2009

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.

57 comments:

Mary Bergfeld said...

I really love the way you've set this table. While rustic it's so much more sophisticated than usual bridal shower fare. I do hope you enjoy the cupcakes.

stefanie said...

it looks gorgeous!!!!

Glenda/MidSouth said...

What a pretty table! Have never tried the candy corn and nuts, but have mixed raisins and dry roasted peanuts -yum! Have a nice shower.

Anonymous said...

Hi Marsha

I love the table, it has given me a few ideas for this weekend when I am entertaining. I had to look up what "Burlap" was, Hessian I believe?

Also what is "candy corn"?

I love the gold glasses and they will look lovely with a night light or votive candle in them for your shower and at Christmas!!

Have a great time and I look forward to seeing the food and hearing what all your guests thought of all your hard work!!

Jackie.

From the Old InkWell said...

Jackie, just love your perspective from across the "big pond"!

Candy corn is the candy that is in the photo mixed with the nuts. It's sweet, so good and is around at Halloween. Do you not have candy corn in UK?

Queen B. said...

** s t u n n i n g ** !!
I made those pretzels today !
I'll post them tomorrow :)

susan said...

Love the burlap! I made Mary's cupcakes and posted about them today--you are going to LOVE them!! Everything looks beautiful!!

Ginger~~Enchanting Cottage said...

Thank-you so much for stopping by and saying hello. You have such a beautiful blog. Your table is looks so inviting.
Blessings,
Ginger

Beverly said...

What a great idea for the invitation! Everything looks so pretty.

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

This is just stunning. So gorgeous and so elegant. Beautifully done. Hugs, Marty

Rettabug said...

Wonderful combination of bling & texture! I ♥ that gold leaf pumpkin!!
I hope the shower goes off without a hitch. I know every guest will feel special after seeing how you carefully prepared for their arrival.

Christi @ A Southern Life said...

Beautiful and the recipes sound wonderful. I have to have peanuts and candy corn. Never tried it with the mixed nuts. I think your version sounds better!

Christi

Sue said...

Very lovely...i like the use of non traditional colored pumpkins...it is very pleasant to the eye and I love the touches of gold....it should be a wonderful party...

Signing Out said...

Marsha, this is gorgeous! I love everything about it. You are so creative! The pumpkin dip sounds yummy, too.

Jane

The Country Nest said...

I love the burlap and the candy corn mixed with the nuts. I love the gold pumpkin most of all.
Nice job!
Donna

Unknown said...

I love your tablescape! The pumpkins are beautiful, I love the gold. I love invitations, I think it sets the tone for the event. I wish more people used them.

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

Marsha- What a blessed bride! The attention to detail and the beautiful use of texture makes this a very special table.
Here's hoping that the day is a gorgeous as your table!
Yvonne

Unknown said...

Oh WOW....You have some talent there girlfriend! Your ideas are so cleaver, but yet easy and affordable. :) thanks for sharing....love your blog.

Happy fall ya'll from Houston.

Natasha in Oz said...

This looks truly stunning. I hope that you have a lovely time-the bride-to-be is so lucky!
Best wishes, NM.

Michelle @ Sweet Something Design said...

Marsha, just beautiful! I love the color pallet and the thought of a wedding in Autumn is wonderful! Hope to see some pictures soon!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

That looks so pretty! I can see what you are imagining in the different dishes and I'm sure it is going to look fantastic.

Unknown said...

Very lovely! What a wonderful memory this will be for the bride!

~Liz

Barb said...

Marsha, this is gorgeous......!!!! I mean....truly stunning.

Barb ♥

Nancy said...

Lovely! I made the pumpkin cupcakes from Mary's recipe. I am curious about the maple extract. Even in Vermont, I had only the choice of imitation, or maybe it's because I'm in Vermont with so few choices. Anyway, I need a better solution for that so will check back. (or maybe ask Mary)

Have a wonderful party. The setting is gorgeous.

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

I was an autumn bride -- I would have loved this!

Beansieleigh said...

Everything looks beautiful Marsha! Your pumpkin dip sounds delicious too! I look forward to trying that soon.. Maybe even for my helpers on Moving Day, which will be here VERY soon! ~tina

Sue said...

It looks great and I'm sure it is going to be the perfect party. I know I would love to be a guest.

Sue

Denise said...

I just love the tablescapes at this time of year :-) Yours is beautiful.

Kat said...

I love the way you set everything up and the way you did your photography of it all really charming. A lovely tablescape. Have a wonderful Wed!

Phyllis @Around the House said...

I can't wait to try the dip, it looks wonderful and the decorations are great...

Diann @ The Thrifty Groove said...

Everything looks like it is going to be beautiful and very Autumish! Love the burlap!

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hi Marsha...

Girl, your bridal shower table is fabulous!!! Ohhh...your bride is going to feel so special...you have really "out done" yourself with all the decorating and the menu sounds divine!!! By the way, that pumpkin dip sounds delicious, I'm going to give it a try! Thank you for including the recipe!!!

The table centerpiece of the pumpkins...I love, love, LOVE!!! But I must admit...I think your gorgeous gold candleholders steal the show!!! I'm going to have to go check out TJ Maxx...they're lovely!!! Well my friend, sending you my best wished for a fun and successful bridal party! You've done a wonderful job with all the decor!!!

Warmest wishes,
Chari @Happy To Design

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Marsha, great job with this table. Love all the texture for fall and the arrangment of the dishes, too. I think it's great that you're using Mary's recipe, too. Looks like it will be a super party.

XO,

Sheila :-)

SharDon Exclusives said...

Can I come too? It looks so gorgeous that one has to stop and pick out one or two things just to enjoy...stop and smell the roses. Every single item is so well placed and I know the shower will be a huge success. I love entertaining and enjoy seeing other people work miracles with their table scapes.
Thank you for sharing & ENJOY!!!

Unknown said...

The table is lovely! Everything from the candy corn to the beautiful candle holders is perfection. Love the burlap!

Tina

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

This looks fabulous. The cupcakes sound very good!

Allison Shops said...

Everything looks lovely. Have a wonderful shower.

Unknown said...

Wonderful table, I love the way you have choosen to think out of the box. Very unique and beautiful.
Sandy

honeysuckle said...

This is a very beautiful table for your shower. Love the burlap for fall. It is so popular right now (and inexpensive). Come visit. I have a giveaway! Hope the shower goes well!

Norma Lee @ Norma Lee Good said...

Love the presentation! Goregous. The burlap looks so great with the pumpkins and all the goodies!

Brenda Pruitt said...

These photos are truly phenomenal! That first one needs, most assuredly, to be displayed in a magazine. This is a very professional looking bridal shower you've got here. The bride should be VERY thankful that you're the decorator you are. Lovely table. Love the burlap texture too!
Brenda

Anonymous said...

PS Marsha

I have found a local warehouse that if I order on line I can go and collect the items and they have "candy corn"!!!

http://www.americansweets.co.uk/index.asp

Jackie.

Anonymous said...

I have never had the skill of putting such a beautiful table together. The bridal shower will be very lovely!

Zuzu

sweetjeanette said...

Beautiful tablescapes! I love dips (love to entertain!) so I'll definitely have to file this one away for future use! Thank you!
(visiting from Rhoda's recipe party)

sweetjeanette.blogspot.com

Lori (All That Splatters) said...

I love the burlap on the table. And I'm really loving the items that made their way into your TJ Maxx basket!!

Some nice foodie ideas, too. I'll be stealing them for sure!

Marigene said...

Beautiful, the honoree will ♥ it...love the burlap with the more formal pieces.

Melissa Miller said...

Marsha your tablescape is so gorgeous and perfect for Fall! Love the pumpkins and the white is elegant. ~Lovely.

Many Blessings, ~Melissa :)

Kristen said...

AMAZING!!! This is absolutley beautiful & I think it would make a great layout for any occasion ~baby showers, graduation party, holiday potluck.... Again, it's amazing!

B said...

This is just perfection! Love everything. Gotta try that dip.

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Marsha, what a gorgeous table!! Wow, I almost didn't get down to the recipe looking at the beautiful tablescape. Love that metallic pumpkin too.

Kammy said...

Very nice and love that you gave us words for the food , LOL !
Kammy

Joyce said...

So pretty and I can't wait to see the cupcakes.
Joyce

sherri@lavenderfields said...

What a classy looking buffet. So elegant! I am for sure going to try that pumpkin dip. Hope the shower goes well.

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Oh how pretty this looks! I think the chocolate dipped pretzels will look great in those fabulous containers. The addition of the burlap just adds such an unexpected texture. I love it. (And by the way, I also love those lamps on your buffet). laurie

Tardevil said...

Love all of your ideas. Can't wait to see the "after" photos and try the recipe.

Simple Home said...

This is all so beautiful. The colors are perfect for a fall shower. I'm sure the bride-to-be is going to love it. I really enjoy your blog...and you have a nice name ;-)
Blessings,
Marcia

Cynthia said...

Wow - what a gorgeous table setting. Lots of ideas. I love them.