Come share all of the excitement and anticipation as designer and blogger, Maddie Flanigan, celebrates her wedding with Lenox. This is the second in a series of blog posts profiling Maddie and her journey from registry to bridal shower to walking down the aisle for her wedding.
Planning a bridal shower is one of the most exciting pre-wedding events, offering a chance to celebrate the bride-to-be with family, friends, and fun memories. From selecting the bridal shower theme to sending out invitations, it’s all about creating a special day that reflects the bride’s personality. Whether you’re planning an intimate gathering or a larger event with a full bridal party, thoughtful details like personalized bridal shower games, chic bridal shower decor, and meaningful bridal shower gifts can make the event truly unforgettable. In this article, we’ll show you how to effortlessly host a bridal shower with style and ease—drawing inspiration from designer and blogger Maddie Flanigan, who celebrated her own elegant wedding shower in partnership with Lenox.
Setting the Scene for Maddie’s Dream Bridal Shower
The wedding bells are getting a little louder now for Maddie and her fiancé, Ryan. Engaged in June 2019, Maddie has been busy finalizing every last detail of her wedding. “We stocked our registry, sent wedding invitations and made our final decisions on decorations,” said Maddie. “All of our planning is coming together. There was just one part of the wedding left—the bridal shower!”
Maddie’s maid-of-honor and bridesmaids hosted an incredible shower for her last month at Expect Lace: a local lingerie boutique. “It was a great opportunity for my future family and other close girlfriends to come together, celebrate and eat delicious food. And it was all served on platters, glassware, elegant flatware & serveware from Lenox!”
For drinks, Maddie and her wedding party sipped Prosecco from our Kate Spade New York Park Circle collection. This crystal glassware is positively perfect for occasions like this with its rose tea shade and timeless ribbed design. (We like to think of it as jewelry for your bar!)
To cut her cake, Maddie used our signature Kate Spade New York With Love Dessert Set. Taking elements from the classic Kate Spade Loves Me Knot jewelry collection, it features a beautiful gold tone finish with white handles, plus a little “YOU & ME” engraved message hiding at the bottom! It’s an elegant set that the couple can use on their wedding day and for many celebrations to come.
And the finishing touch to this ultra feminine bridal shower? A beautiful floral backdrop for photobooth pictures! (Bring on the props…) After the cake was served and the gifts were unwrapped, Maddie told us just how lucky she was to have this caring group of girls in her life. “I’m so grateful to my friends and family for hosting a fun and adorable shower,” she said. “Now I just need to find a place to store all these gifts!”
How to Host a Bridal Shower Experience Inspired by Maddie’s Celebration
Maddie’s bridal shower was a perfect blend of elegance, fun, and heartfelt moments, showing how thoughtful planning and attention to detail can create a truly magical event. Whether you’re hosting a bridal shower at a charming boutique like Maddie’s or you do a bridesmaid brunch at home, you can draw inspiration from her celebration to plan a memorable bridal shower fit for a queen. Let’s break down the steps to create a one-of-a-kind event that any bride would love.
1. Pick a Theme That Reflects the Bride’s Personality
As Maddie’s bridal shower demonstrated, a cohesive bridal shower theme can elevate the entire event. Maddie’s venue at a local lingerie boutique tied perfectly to her passion for handmade designs and her upcoming wedding day. Choose a theme that resonates with the bride’s personality and adds a personal touch.
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Themes like vintage tea parties, glam Hollywood soirées, or garden brunches work beautifully.
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Align the bridal shower invitation design with the theme to set the tone early for shower guests.
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Maddie’s floral backdrop offered a charming touch—consider similar decoration that ties into the chosen theme.
2. Choose the Perfect Venue
Maddie’s choice of a local boutique was both unique and intimate, creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere for her bridal shower guests. When selecting a venue, consider spaces that complement the bride’s style and accommodate the guest list size.
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For smaller gatherings, host the event at home or in a cozy boutique.
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Larger parties might work better in a garden, restaurant, or rented hall.
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Ensure the venue has room for bridal shower games, a gift table, and plenty of photo-worthy moments.
3. Plan Activities That Keep the Energy Flowing
At Maddie’s shower, thoughtful details like Lenox serveware and a Prosecco station created an engaging atmosphere. Similarly, include activities that make the event lively and enjoyable for everyone:
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Incorporate classic bridal shower games like bridal bingo, trivia, or crafting activities.
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Schedule time for key moments like speeches, cake-cutting, and gift-opening.
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Create photo opportunities with backdrops or props for a fun, interactive experience.
4. Celebrate with Gifts and Favors
Maddie’s bridal shower wouldn’t have been complete without meaningful bridal shower gifts and thoughtful moments. Encourage guests to bring items from the couple’s wedding registry or personalized presents that celebrate the bride and groom’s love story.
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Dedicate a space for bridal shower gift display and opening.
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Offer creative bridal shower favors like candles, mini bottles of champagne, or custom keepsakes as thank-you gifts.
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Tie the gifts and favors into the bridal shower theme for a cohesive touch.
Wrapping Up the Perfect Bridal Shower
Planning a bridal shower that’s as special as the bride herself is all about thoughtfulness, creativity, and a sprinkle of love. Maddie’s elegant celebration is a shining example of how the right theme, bridal shower venue, activities, and gifts can create an unforgettable event. Whether you’re hosting a cozy gathering or an extravagant affair, remember to tailor every detail to the bride’s personality and her unique journey to the wedding day.
With the right mix of fun and sentimentality, your bridal shower planning will result in cherished memories for the bride, her bridal party, and all the shower guests.
