• Bachelorette & Bridal Showers

The key to hosting a fantastic bridal shower is planning a day that revolves around laughter, love, and fun—a day where the bride feels that she is supported and cherished by all her friends and family. 

Illinois wedding planner, Sara Elizabeth Weddings did all this while planning a relaxing tropical bridal shower for bride-to-be, Erin. LET'S PARTY LIKE A PINEAPPLE was the theme of the day and carried throughout- from the bridal shower invites to the the custom cocktail napkins. The day was overflowing with tropical vibes. 

Read on to take in all the tropical bridal shower ideas. There are so many fun details you need to see like - the bridal shower drink station, the yummy bridal shower menu ideas, the custom cocktail napkins and our favorite the bridal shower signature cocktail. Yum!  There is even a complete budget breakdown  to give you an idea of how much a bridal shower like this might cost.

The Tropical Bridal
Shower Invitation

The invitation Erin and her guests received were created to set the tone for this special day. The design was incorporated throughout with custom signage from stationery note pads to cocktail recipe cards for the guests to take home. 

Tropical florals were carried from the invitation suite to every aspect of the design. The moment guests arrived there was no question they had entered a Midwest tropic soiree, from the welcome sign to Erin’s throne, they knew they were in for a treat.

Lounge Area

From Sara Elizabeth Weddings - I had gotten to know Erin, the bride over the past several months while planning her wedding, and while there were many design elements I wanted to incorporate into the shower it was important that I made it all about her.

I am lucky when a bride trusts my style, love for design and is all in for a surprise bridal shower. Erin was just that bride. To help celebrate her upcoming wedding she gave me free rein to plan her bridal shower.

From Erin the bride- Sara surprised me with the theme and colors for the bridal shower. It matched my personality perfectly! It was a tropical oasis in Illinois.

Sara set up a lounge station for guests to relax and sip cocktails. A special seat was reserved for Erin that was adorned with tropical florals. There were also custom napkins with Erin's bridal shower theme- Party like a pineapple.

The Bride's Favorite Cocktail

Every bride-to-be has a signature drink that they love. Take that drink and make it the signature cocktail for the day. Erin's Key Lime Refresher was the signature cocktail on hand at this tropical bridal shower. Below is the recipe and I plan to make it. 

Erin's Key Lime Refresher

1 cup simple syrup  
1/2 cup smoked basil leaves 
1 part Amber Rum 
2 parts squeezed key lime juice 
Top off with sparkling water

If you are wondering about smoked basil leaves as I was, apparently flaming fresh herbs infuse smoky flavors and aromas into cocktails.

Illinois Wedding Planner
Sara Elizabeth Weddings

offers design services, budget and checklist management, vendor research and management, timeline development and day-of coverage for all size weddings; elopements to full planning. Sara also started  Petitefete.co for micro weddings. Which, we all know are huge right now. 

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Bridal Shower
Activities

From Sara Elizabeth Weddings- My main goal was for Erin and her squad to have a great time and enjoy each other’s company, all while being surrounded by the beauty of a relaxing tropical atmosphere.

They had the option of relaxing in the tropic lounge, making loose-leaf tea sachets, snapping photos at the photo-wall or sipping cocktails by the bar.

Bridal Shower
 Table Decor

From Sara Elizabeth Weddings-The inspiration for the tablescape came from Erin's love of family style served meals and the table was designed with this as its main focus. Platters of wildly creative finger foods lined the tables to be indulged in

I wanted the table setting to match the enthusiasm of the meal with bright colors and unique place settings prepared for the bride's guests. Erin's favorite cocktails include refreshing basil and lime and to compeiment the meal a tropic cocktail was designed just for her, Erin's Key Lime Refresher, which paired nicely with her key lime pie dessert. If you missed Erin's cocktail recipe scroll up to see it.

Bridal Shower
Wedding Favors

As Sara mentioned above, guests had the option to make loose-leaf tea sachets at the tea station. She filled the large silver containers with different loose teas and labeled them. Erin's guests could  design their tea concoction and place them in the cute little bags seen above. Sara kept with the theme, and the sachets had a gold pineapple printed on them. 

Bridal Shower
Menu Ideas

I think the hardest part about, planning a party is what to serve. You want to match the theme of the event and appeal to various tastes and palettes. I think that Erin's bridal shower menu looked delicious. I also love that there were three food options as opposed to just one main course and side dishes. 

Caribbean Shrimp Tacos with Pineapple Salsa
Roasted Teriyaki Chicken Flatbread
Pulled Pork Sliders with Hawaiian Slaw

Instax Station

Sara set up the cutest Instax station. There were a ton of fun props and the most gorgeous hot pink leaves we've ever seen.  

Erin and her friends could take Instax photos as well. Such a great memory for Erin to have of her special day!  If you love Instax stations like we do, here are step by step directions on how to set up an Instax  Station.

How to make an Instax station

Budget Breakdown

Please note that prices vary from time to time, and the prices below are simply to give you a general idea on how much a bridal shower like this will cost you. 

Planner: $1,500.00
Photographer: $1,000.00
Stationery: $250.00
Florals: $750.00
Tea: $200.00
Food: $1,500.00
Rentals: $500.00

• Event Planning & Design: Sara Elizabeth Weddings
• Event Planning & Design: Promessi Weddings & Events
• Favors & Gifts: Quincy Tea Co.
• Flowers: Lavish Floral Design
• Paper Goods & Calligraphy: Lo in London
• Photographers: Courtney Dueppengiesser Photography
• Photographers: Aaron and Jillian Photography
• Rentals: Celebrations Party and Event Rentals