On Saturday, we threw my future sister-in-law Andrea her first bridal shower.   We did a kitchen themed shower and with each invitation sent out recipe cards for guests to fill out their favorite recipe and bring it for Andrea & Jeff to enjoy later.  For the shower decor, I decided to do centerpieces that had elements of the “kitchen” included.

To create the centerpieces, I used a cake stand that we already owned (and borrowed a second one as well).  You might remember this idea from a few weeks back,  and I wanted to try that for the shower.

Step 1 – Using a wet foam block, I wrapped the foam block in cut ivy to cover up the foam, and then added a more fern type plant to add another dimension.

Step 2 – Pick a flower that matches the shower colors to use as accents around the base and add one on top to complete the look.

Step 3 – Put the top back on, and the cake stand centerpieces are complete!

For the other two tables, I used some containers that I bought at Home Goods.  This was the easiest (and cheapest) centerpiece to put together!

Step 1 – Buy artichokes at the grocery store (these were 2 for $3, and they were huge!)

Step 2 – Buy a flower that you can cut almost to the bud itself.  I chose spider mums at the flower market, which one bunch had ten stems so it was perfect for two centerpieces and I even had leftovers to decorate the house with!

Step 3 – place one artichoke into the vase and then add one cut flower bud to the side facing out.

Step 4 – keep layering the artichokes and the flower buds, alternating sides of the vase, until you reach the top

Added Bonus – I had a little curly willow at the bottom of each container, but you could definitely do this without too if the artichokes are big enough to reach across the vase for the most part.

The lisianthus (the pink flower below) at the market that morning was really beautiful, so I made another centerpiece to help prop open the recipe box to gather everyone’s cards as they arrived.  I bought a wood box from Michael’s and accented it with ribbon that I had around the house.  The main attraction on the box was this lovely fascinator from Ink & Button.  Super fun accent to use in many different ways, and then after the shower the bride-to-be can keep and wear as an accessory!

Next up today, a few fun recipes from the shower!

All pictures taken by Katie Saeger