Elegant Backyard Bridal Shower

Sweet potato cookies and chocolate cranberry cookies under glass; macaroon favors in boxes; lemon curd and sponge cake in glasses; marshmallow squares on dish; brownies on cake stand; caramel and white chocolate apples. Desserts by Esther Kang, Batch from Scratch. Minted sweet pea and blond gazpacho soups in shot glasses; lamb chops; cucumber cups with lobster. All from Good Gracious Catering.

A bride preparing to marry on the Hawaiian isle of Kauai needed to do some serious relaxing even before she reached her tropical paradise—and she wanted to set the tone and style of the wedding to get her bridal party into the mood, too. She consulted with Carolyn Chen, event specialist at The Special Day, Event Planning and Design in Los Angeles, about creating a luncheon shower in the backyard of her home, where everyone could wind down and de-stress. “The bride, Emily, is not a girly-girly type of person, so we steered away from pinks and anything frou-frou,” says Carolyn. “Instead, we chose white with crisp accents of spring green and lemon yellow for a clean, refreshing look. We did a chic white invitation, and we went for a light menu accompanied by sparkling white tea, local California chardonnay and champagnes.” Carolyn wanted the bridal party and the bride to feel as if they were at a luxurious spa, and as a special treat everyone received manicures and pedicures. Talk about relaxation!

A glass of lemon drops was flanked by displays of cookies and desserts. A chilled dessert of lemon curd and sponge cake refreshed the palate. 

Mille Fiori created arrangements of white hydrangeas, phalaenopsis orchids and lisianthus in color-coordinated vases. The bride and the planner also gave white orchid hair pins to eachs hower guest. This was a precurser to the orchid leis that wedding guests would receive when they arrived in Kauai to celebrate the couple's nuptials. 

Bubble bowls, holding white pebbles, cymbidium orchids and ferns were scattered on the steps and around the wooden deck. Shapely jars or cucumber water and another of strawberry lemonade made an attractive display.

Lanterns holding votives are suspended over the white rental tables and chairs. 

The green table runner makes a fresh contrast on pristine white linen. Mini round ceramic vases hold single orchids and clusters of tulips; tiny black river rocks add contrast to the white blooms and the green table runner.

An outdoor area on the upper level of the house overlooks the yard and the pool; it was open to guests for the party.

Photos by Caroline Tran