My girlfriends hosted the sweetest bunny-themed baby shower for me which surpassed any expectation I could have had! Stunning decor, personalized touches, classy guest gifts and activities. The most perfect day!
All photos taken by Rachabella Photography unless otherwise noted.
Showered With Love
Starting a family has always a part of the plan for my husband and I, but we took our time getting here. We’ve witnessed so many of our friends and family enter the chapter of parenthood, all of which having a different journey. We knew ours would be no different, and we’ve felt very prepared by so many loving family and friends (as much as one can be!) to start this new phase in our lives.
We are so fortunate to have a group of friends that truly feels like family. The shower that our friends threw for us was something out of a dream: every single detail was so incredibly personal! These ladies pulled out all the stops, and there are few words that can capture how truly grateful I am for the love, energy, and care that went into this special day.
The Theme
If you know me, you undoubtedly know that I absolutely love bunnies. My family never owned pets when I was growing up, but we did have multiple litters of baby bunnies that we helped care for! My parents have a beautiful garden, which of course was a magnet for animals of all types. Sadly there were several instances where a mama bunny wouldn’t return to her nest, and the baby buns were left to fend for themselves. With the guidance from our local wildlife center, we cared for the little bunnies until they were big enough to release. And so, an obsession with bunnies was born.
My girlfriends knew that a bunny-themed shower was the way to go, but I never would have dreamed of the lengths they would go to make this shower as whimsical as it was! The invitations set the tone for the “whimsical bunny garden party”, expertly designed by my talented BFF, Sara Schultz. A brand expert and strategist herself, she knew exactly how to take elements of the party plan and translate them into an adorable invitation.
The Details
The decor was delicate and neutral, with storybook and garden party details. We don’t know the gender of our babe, so the color scheme was light and airy, with natural elements and pastels sprinkled throughout.
Guests were greeted with a “Bunny Spritz”: a champagne cocktail garnished with an Aperol bunny-shaped ice cube. A collection of Jellycat Bunnies sat on the foyer table, most of which were gifts I had given to the hostess’ children over the years. This detail was one of the first to bring me to tears, although there were so many more to come!
The set up was simply spectacular: stunning balloon arrangements graced both indoor vignettes as well as out. A beautiful backdrop outside outfitted with a “A Little Bun Is On The Way” was surrounded by neutral balloons studded with greenery. My girlfriend Julia is the owner of The Bougie and Company, an expert balloon design and event rental company. Not only did she outfit the space with stunning balloons, but she also brought the “Baby” marquee lights that were the sweetest touch outside!
The Menu
The nibbles, sips, and sweets could not have been more perfect. They menu was intentionally planned around flavors and dishes that my girlfriends knew I would love. The stunning spread featured a delicious orzo salad, a “Bunny Snacks” crudités platter, a spread of tea sandwiches and roll-ups, a “Char-Bunny Board” from Boarderie, the sweetest Lemon Possets, and the most stunning cake made by my BFF Kaylee’s mom, Wendy. Wendy was the subject of one of my Kitchen Memoir stories, and is a baker extraordinaire! She made the most tender buttermilk cake with a hibiscus rose syrup and a strawberry vanilla Swiss meringue buttercream frosting. It was absolutely heavenly! She also made the most delicious lemon lavender shortbread for guests to take home with them.
The Activities
When the girls asked what I envisioned for my shower, I shared that I wanted a beautiful afternoon where guests could come relax, enjoy delicious food and drinks, socialize, and feel no pressure. That translated into “no games”. It’s not that I’m against games at shower – not in the least! Rather, I wanted this day to feel low maintenance for all. My hope was that friends from all areas of my life could mingle and simply enjoy a lovely day. And that’s exactly what happened!
Tables were set up indoors with various activities:
- Moonlight Mantras: Guests were prompted to jot down a note for me to read on the many sleepless nights that I’m likely to encounter in the next several months (and beyond!). It was such a thoughtful touch that I know I’ll appreciate when said sleepless nights begin. I haven’t let myself read any just yet, to keep them a surprise when I need them most.
- Bracelet Bar: Who doesn’t love a little arm candy?! Everyone got to “build their own stack”, selecting from beautiful gold bracelets (so my style).
- “Picture This”: Several Polaroid cameras were set out for guests to point and shoot. This was such a meaningful way to capture the day, despite the incredible Rachabella Photography capturing professional photos the whole time! There’s something about the candor and spontaneity that Polaroids capture (especially when the littles get their hands on the cameras). I can’t wait to store all the snaps captured in a memory book or box to reflect on.
- ACTUAL BUNNIES! And this is where I lose it. My girls hired Rakow Ranch, a mobile petting zoo, to bring the sweetest little bunnies for everyone to enjoy! Words completely escaped me, and some serious tears were shed.
All The Details To Host Your Own Bunny-Themed Baby Shower
The shower took place at my girlfriend, Caitlin’s beautiful home. If the photos don’t already showcase her style, it’s absolutely impeccable. Her modern yet classic taste is that which I’ve always admired! She shares home, fashion, and lifestyle content over on Instagram – you should definitely give her a follow if you’re a fan of any of the aforementioned types of content.
You can find links to all the beautiful decor that was procured for this gorgeous shower right here (be sure to give Caitlin a follow on LTK too, if you don’t already!).
An Overflowing Heart!
I am so overwhelmed by all of the incredible planning that went into this expertly curated day. It wasn’t just that each and every detail was so meticulously thought out and personalized, it was the genuine and sincere love that came with it.
Caitlin, Kaylee, Sara, Julia, Ally, and Jaclyn – thank you from the bottom of my heart for your friendship, support, and love over ALL the years, and for making this moment so memorable and special for Nate and I! We love you!
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