What Will It Bee?

08 Dec, 2012

**Flashback**
(Jen: I couldn’t resist. My friend is having a baby right now. How cute is this baby shower? LOVE IT!! Thanks, Ally B!)

Hey there! It’s Alicia with Ally B Designs your party guru! With each post I will bring you a new party theme, tips, tricks, DIY projects and FREE printables to match.

This week ‘s theme is the newest popular baby shower craze… the baby reveal party. It’s super fun plus it provides a great interactive activity for your guests!

LOVE THE IDEA? This “What will it bee?” shower theme is adorable and we have everything you need to have to put together this party on your own.

INVITATIONS AND PAPER GOODS: Let’s get started! The invitation is the first thing that your guests see and sets the tone for the shower. This invitation screams: “let’s have fun” and celebrates the mother to be!

Choosing the modern chevron pattern and incorporating blacks, greys and yellows allows you to play with a fun, fresh, modern theme incorporating bumblebees and personalized touches through every detail. What do you think of the colored envelope? I love using a burst of color in unexpected places, not only does it catch your eye in the mailbox but it just sends a ray of sunshine and makes me excited to open the treasure that was delivered to me.

TIP ALERT!!! If you are hosting the shower wouldn’t the matching thank you cards be the perfect gift for the guest of honor? You are providing one more thing for the expecting mom to check off her list. Click this beethankyou for a free printable download for a fold-over thank you card.

DÉCOR AND DISPLAY: When planning for this shower I wanted it to stay true to the fun, modern invite with the choice of décor. Putting together unexpected items that that make your guests’ eyes dance around the room looking for the personalized touches is easily accomplished with inexpensive pieces and DIY projects. Taking an existing wreath that you have and adorning it with bright flowers and a welcome banner sets the tone as soon as your guests arrive.

Now that your guests are here, lets show them how creative you are. Styling the table with an inexpensive plastic tablecloth or one that you already have and layering runners to add depth and texture bring a dimension that will be a sure hit.

I choose to mix two of the most popular patterns on Pinterest right now by incorporating burlap and chevron. I am in LOVE with this sequined chevron table cloth and runner! It adds just the right amount of bling without being over the top.

On the dessert table I layered the runner over a scrap of burlap that I had left over from other projects to bring in more of a relaxed rustic vibe. Using watering cans that can be painted to match (who doesn’t love spray paint!) carries on the rustic theme and brings the outdoors in with fake grass and flowers for centerpieces that add a pop of color. To bring it all home hang tissue paper balls above the tables in yellow, black and white at varying heights and add a little bee cutout to give them that little something extra.

Click for the BeeSheetPrintables

DRINKS AND DESSERTS: Arranging the table for the desserts is so much fun! I love bringing food to life by implementing it into the decorations. These adorable bee cake pops would be the perfect touch to top off the watering can centerpieces or stand alone in a ceramic flower pot on the buffet table. Adding a fun bee hive cake with coordinating cupcakes is the perfect focal point to the table. You can really have fun adding in candies and baked goods in coordinating colors to make the table look lush and inviting.

I set up a separate drink station with mason jar glasses adorned with a jute bow, serving homemade lemonade with fresh lemon slices and a sprig of mint. Taking something as simple as lemonade and dressing it up a bit shows the guests how much they mean to you! Adding the darling striped straws finishes them off with the perfect touch.

(I ordered these straws online from the Party Fairy @ www.artfire.com but I think we might start carrying them. What do you think?)

I am including an extra printable for straw banner that can also be used as a cupcake flag as well (not all of us are frosting goddesses). Just wrap it around the straws or sticks and VOILA! Cuteness can be achieved in any size.

Click to download BeeFlags

FAVORS: Don’t over look the small details. A few well-placed touches such as these honey jars or bee salt and pepper shakers at each place setting can go a long way toward making your party look extra-special.

ACTIVITY: “What’s your Guess” would allow party attendants to write down what they think the baby will “bee” and group together the pink and the blue guesses until the final result is revealed.

There you have it, “What will it bee?” baby shower in one short post. The trick to mixing and matching textures is to make sure you incorporate it more than once in your design. If you are not confident in your mixing abilities give us a call we are always here to help! Invitations, thank you cards and all other paper goods are made to order at Ally B Designs. If you have something in mind I will create it for you! Ally B Designs is passionate about creating invitations and events as unique as its’ clients.

Credits:

www.bumpsmitten.com – bee pops, door wreath, honey jars and tissue paper balls.

www.oksugar.com – behive cake and cupcakes

www.allybdesigns.theaspenshops.com – “Mommy and Me…Sweet as Can Bee” Ceramic Honeybee Salt and Pepper Shakers

Table linens are available to rent at Ally B Designs.

Step by step instruction for tissue paper balls.