A Very Bridal Weekend

I got to share some of my favorite American traditions with my new British friends this weekend when I hosted a bridal shower for three friends--Anna, Rohanna and Cristina--who are engaged to be married. Bridal showers aren't really a tradition in England, so it was really fun to throw the party and show them all the silly things we do to celebrate our brides-to-be. Plus, after throwing almost a dozen bridal/baby showers in the past few years, I consider myself a bit of an expert!

The weather was absolutely perfect, and Rohanna has a great garden out back, so we enjoyed soaking up the sun while we celebrate these three lovely ladies! The day was full of laughs and friendship and everything cheesy that comes with a shower. As cliche as that is, though, these are things that make shower memories so special.

The menu was really quite fun for me to put together because I added a little British twist and made the main course be tiny tea sandwiches, crusts cut off and everything! I made ham and cheese, cucumber and egg salad sandwiches, and I must say, they turned out pretty cute and quite tasty. I also made a fresh fruit salad (a staple at every American party, get together and BBQ) and an easy italian dressing pasta salad. We also had the most gorgeous chocolate cake that Charlie made, fresh Pavolova from Anna and some super delish muffins from Allison. A few of the girls also brought lovely salads and other appetizers/snacks, so we were well stuffed by the end of the afternoon. And of course, we needed some spirits, so I made a citrus champagne punch, and we also had some of the new berry-flavored Pimms (a very traditional British spirit) that the others girls brought, plus some various other tasty drinks. So in essence, we just spoiled ourselves on Saturday with gorgeous food and drinks!

The Brits like one side with butter and one with mayo.

Gotta cut the crusts off for proper tea sandwiches

The cucumber sandwiches were a bit tricky for me since I
hate cucumbers, but I did one side with butter and one with
cream cheese. The trick is to slice the cucumber really, really thin. 

To decorate the party (held at Rohanna's house) I ordered some fun matching supplies from Partycity and had them delivered to my house. My mom graciously packed them all up (along with a few other treats like M&Ms and Hershey's Kisses) and brought them out on her visit in April. Having themed supplies really made the party feel like a regular, American bridal shower, too!

Rohanna's amazing house in Wimbledon. 

Some of the decorations

Party favors--M&Ms and Hershey's Kisses

Charlie and her gorgeous cake! We couldn't believe it
survived her trip on the Tube!!!

Charlie's cake, Allison's muffins and Anna's Pavlova 

Charlie, Rohanna and Jess

Leah, Anna and I

With three brides, we had to be a bit creative with the gifting, so everyone brought one night gift, and then I tagged each gift with a number 1, 2 or 3 when the guest arrived. After everyone was there, I had each bride draw a number, and those were the presents she got to open and take home. My mom was really sweet to send over some gorgeous table runners she had quilted, which I tucked in as presents for all three brides. I really treasure the handmade quilted pieces my mom has given me, and I've always thought a handmade quilted piece is such a special thing to have as you make your house into a home. The girls really loved their table runners, and I'm so glad they'll always have a little piece of home from me.

Rohanna

Anna

Cristina

The girls were also really excited about the tradition where you take the wrapping paper/ribbons and make a paper plate bouquet for the rehearsal, and so three of the guests took on that challenge and made fabulous bouquets for the girls! It was too sweet!

Charlie made this one for Anna

Sarah made this one for Cristina

And Racheal made this one for Rohanna

I also planned a few games as well because even though they are cheesy, every good shower needs at least a couple dorky games. The first game was the pin game, where every guest attaches a clothes pin to her outfit and we all aren't allowed to say "wedding," "bride" or any of the grooms' names. If you catch someone saying one of those things, you get all their pins. By the end of the party, Ruth was our big winner with seven or eight of the pins! We also played a purse raid game where you earned points for having the random items I called out in your purse. Our final game was the best--Design Her Dress. I found the idea online and just loved it because it worked perfectly for multiple brides. On Friday, I snapped a quick pic of the girls at work, cut their heads out and pasted them onto a piece of paper to copy off. At the party, all the guests had to design each girl's wedding dress, then our brides deliberated and chose a first place winner, a runner up and a worst-place winner. It was great fun, and we all laughed so hard we were crying by the end. If I have another chance to throw a bridal shower, I'm definitely going to include that game again!

Utter concentration!

Interesting upper body shape there... 

Charlie's turned out really pretty! I love the Shakespeare quote Rohanna got!

Sarah won first prize for these designs! 

What's going on there, Leah? Let's see that a little closer...

What's up with the hands...?  :)

Jess' creations

Move over, Vera! Allison has some new ideas!

The brides deliberated and chose winners

Once the games were finished, we spent some time just soaking up the sunshine, having lots of laughs and finishing off the Pimms. There may have been an impromptu dance party in the kitchen, too...

Anna really likes to pick people up...

The lovely brides!  Love these girls! 

My love, Anna

Anna and Ro having a moment 

Jess, Cristina and Leah

Rachael and I 

Lovely Leah and I 

After the shower officially ended (well, hours after the official end, really), a few of us stragglers decided to hit the pub for a few more. On the way down, we found a buggie (AKA shopping cart) and decided it would be really fun to put Rohanna in it and push her around...Why? I don't know know. But we were right; it was really fun!

Rohanna has the perfect queenly wave!

Such good memories!

The whole day was a really great, special time. It's so nice to spend time together outside of school, which always allows us to get to know each other even more. Seeing everyone so happy and carefree really made my day. And the girls were all so appreciative of the party and so excited to try out the old American traditions! It was really special to share these things with them, and I know Saturday will be one of my fondest memories of my year in England.

I remember right before I moved to London, I truly did not know what I was going to do here without good girl friends like the ones I had back home. Good times like Saturday keep reminding me how I shouldn't have worried so much. God has a way of sending us just what we need.

Timer-set group shot!