As the saying goes, “April showers bring May flowers,” referring to the rainy spring season we’re about to enter, and the pretty blooms that will result. April can also be the peak time for bridalshower season, since many of the brides planning for summer nuptials are having their showers right about now. To prepare for the fun, I’ll be showing a few dress options for shower guests and brides, as well as my take on great things to register for and to give as gifts.
Pink Dress for the Shower
Floral Eyelet Sleeveless Dress from Loft / Opal Frame Drops from Bauble Bar / Corso Como Alfazema Sandal from Nordstrom / Brompton Mini Hobo from J.Crew / Crystal Flower Hinge Bracelet from Loft
I recently saw a comment on a fashion forum that was encouraging brides to wear white to all of the wedding events like showers, rehearsal dinners, and engagement parties. I love the idea of having the bride-to-be stand apart at those events–and all white certainly accomplishes that. However, I also feel that if the bride wears white to all the events, it can slightly detract from the big reveal of THE white dress on one’s wedding day. (Not to mention leaving the bride with a lot of white dresses in her closet!)
Instead, I like the idea of the bride selecting a few little white dresses to wear for one or two events, but then picking up some other colors –perhaps your wedding’s signature colors, pale pastels, and colored lace–to wear to other events to still look suitably bridal.
With those thoughts in mind, I’ve selected this pale pink eyelet dress from Loft. I love the little lacey eyelet touches, and pink color. I picked up some sparkly accessories to make it special and paired it with blush and tan heels–a ladylike combination. Even though itís not white, I can see the bride being a standout wearing this at a bridal tea in her honor.
Yellow Dress for the Shower
Susie Chin for Maggie Boutique in Daffodil from Nordstrom / Mercedes Salazar Thread Wrapped Bracelet / Kyndra Sandal by Lucky / Havana Clutch from J. Crew / Sky Pave Disk Studs from Babule Bar
This yellow dress is styled for either a bride, or a shower guest to wear. I envision this for an informal spring daytime shower or brunch. The sandals and accessories are casual, but the yellow color is cheerful. The little lace overlay makes it party-ready, and just the right amount of dressy.
Pink and White Striped Dress
Striped Pleated Skirt Dress from Loft / Blue Collegiate Cuff from Bauble Bar / Splendid ‘Edgewood’ Sandal from Nordstrom / Starboard Tack Clutch from Tipsy Skipper / Fan Fringe Necklace from J. Crew
Readers know that I love stripes, and this pink and white number stood out to me as a great little daytime dress to wear to a shower. I’ve styled it for a guest or a bride with hot pink and navy touches, which look springy and fun. This could also be a wonderful little ensemble for a bride to wear to her bachelorette and to wear again on her honeymoon! The best part, Tipsy Skipper is offering a free shipping code to Bayside Bride readers! Enter: DRESSWED at checkout.
Registry Tips
1. Marquis By Waterford Vintage All-Purpose Stemless Wine Glass 2. Sheets from West Elm 3. Chilewich Latte Round Basketweave Placemat at Sur La Table 4. Snapware Cupcake Carrier 5. Lucerne Casseroles from Crate & Barrel 7. Dashes Tea Towels from Leif 8. Rowenta Steam Iron
Showers not only honor the couple, but also help the new bride and groom make their home. As a shower attendee, I recommend closely following the couple’s registry- after all, the couple has usually spent lots of time selecting what they most need and want. The rare exception is for family to give an heirloom or for a close friend to give gift with meaning that you know will be treasured.
When you’re an engaged couple deciding on your registry, there may some things that seem unneeded, or too boring to even ask for, but I ask you to reconsider! For instance, registering for a spoon rest or a trivet can sound about as exciting as cold oatmeal– especially when there are pretty crystal goblets to think about—but trust me, you’ll be glad you have them someday! To help brides-to-be, I thought I’d share my little list of practical things I personally wish I had registered for, or that I did receive –and I’m forever grateful I did!
- Stemless wine glasses. I did not register for these. Instead, I picked willowy, thin-stemmed delicate wine glasses. I love them, and they look so pretty on a formal table, but we had to rearrange our cabinets and find other shelving to accommodate the tall, oversized glasses, and hand-washing them is a pain in the neck. I wish I had put stemless, dishwasher-safe glasses on my registry. I finally purchased some, so that having friends over for glass of wine doesn’t turn into a tedious dishwashing chore.
- Nice guest sheets and bedding. (Even if you don’t have a guest room or bed yet!) I did register for and receive these, and I’m glad I did! While you may be living in an apartment when you get married–only dreaming of the day you’ll have a guest room or spare bed–I feel you cannot underestimate how handy extra sheets can be. Even if you don’t have a guest bed, you may have an overnight visitor or two, and you’ll need these to make up the couch. We had family staying with us one holiday, so I dashed out to get an extra inflatable mattress, and I was very happy I already had the extra sheets on hand. (Extra washcloths and hand towels are nice, too!)
- Non-iron woven placemats. We registered for cloth placemats, and while they are lovely and formal, they require several passes with an iron them to make them presentable, and can easily stain. Instead, I wish we had these for daily use. They are attractive and can be easily wiped down. Best of all-they never wrinkle!
- Food carrying caddies. I did receive a cupcake carrier and I love it! You may not yet realize how many times in married life you’ll need to bring a dish to someone’s house, but it seems to happen immediately as soon as you meet married friends or move to the suburbs. If you or your spouse have a go-to dish that you usually like make for these events like cupcakes, deviled eggs, or some kind of temperature-sensitive thing, it is so nice to have a proper carrier for it, to ensure your dish makes it intact, is the right temperature, and doesn’t end up all over the car. Sometimes foil and plastic wrap just won’t cut it!
- Covered casserole dishes and serveware. Until I got married, and we hosted our first real dinners, I never really realized how nice it is to have something you can bake in and then plop on the table and have it look nice, and be able to cover it to keep it warm. We have these from Crate & Barrel and we use them for everything from simple leftover reheating to Thanksgiving dinner. They really help make dishes look pretty and stay toasty!
- Pretty, matching glasses. I made the mistake of thinking my husband and I already had plenty of glasses, so we didn’t register for them. What we actually have is a series of mismatched pint glasses emblazoned with beer names and team logos, and colored cups of assorted sizes that look terrible when set out on a table together. On our first Thanksgiving with company, I had to dash out to the store to try to find pretty glasses, and my mom had to bring me some, too! Learn from me: if you still have college relics, get some new, pretty glasses!
- Cute dishtowels. In addition to dishwashing, we use these cloths for wiping counters, handling hot pans, impromptu aprons, and as a cushion under hot dishes–I cannot possibly have enough! We try to use fewer paper products, so our dishtowels are in heavy rotation. I got 3 for wedding gifts and I wish it had been 30!
- A good iron. Yawn, so boring, but now kind of essential for looking presentable for work or other grown up activities. I had made it as a wash ‘n’ wear kind of lady for years before I had wrinkly tablecloths, placemats, and shirts that need to look crisp in my life. I got one from my mom for my wedding, and learned that having a really good iron makes it less of a chore, and will help you and your spouse keep those workday essentials neat.
I hope these ideas have given you everything you need to make it through spring shower season.
Wishing a happy spring to all!
XO Sukey from Dress For The Wedding
