Reception Ideas by Beth Helmstetter
June 13th, 2008 • Related • Filed Under
Today’s post isn’t so much a real wedding…it’s actually not even relevant to the blog at all. It’s a baby shower! BUT, it’s such a funky, completely unique shower, that it could provide hours of inspiration for anyone looking to throw an eclectic, fun wedding reception filled with oh-so-unique handmade touches and details. Beth Helmstetter sent me these images from the shower that she planned for her best friend…
VENUE & CATERING: The Herb Garden at the Blue Bird Bistro / PLANNING & DESIGN, FORALS and ACCENTS: Beth Helmstetter Events / LINENS: Wildflower Linens, RENTALS: All Seasons Rentals / CUPCAKES: McLain’s Bakery / INVITATIONS: Michael Gerkin / PHOTOGRAPHY: Jenae Ferguson-Weinbrenner of Imij Foto / CUSTOM SKATEBOARD: Andrew Milko, The Mercy Seat
From Beth…
While every event I plan is so meaningful, this shower really touched my
heart as it was in celebration of one of my best friend’s Jen and her pending
arrival of baby Collier. The locale was Kansas City and for those of you who
haven’t been there, this city is a surprising blend of arts, culture and just
all around, good people. Being originally from KC, I immediately thought of a
hidden herb garden in the downtown area cared for by the Blue Bird Bistro .
Blue Bird is an organic cafe using only the freshest locally grown products and
service to die for. While I’m not sure they knew what they were getting
themselves into initially, they catered to every whim of a high-maintenance LA
event planner as well as every craving of a soon-to-be mommy.
heart as it was in celebration of one of my best friend’s Jen and her pending
arrival of baby Collier. The locale was Kansas City and for those of you who
haven’t been there, this city is a surprising blend of arts, culture and just
all around, good people. Being originally from KC, I immediately thought of a
hidden herb garden in the downtown area cared for by the Blue Bird Bistro .
Blue Bird is an organic cafe using only the freshest locally grown products and
service to die for. While I’m not sure they knew what they were getting
themselves into initially, they catered to every whim of a high-maintenance LA
event planner as well as every craving of a soon-to-be mommy.
Now, Jen is a bit of a fashionista with impeccable taste, so while I plan
weddings for some of the most discriminating brides in Southern California
everyday, I was very nervous about meeting her standards. I wanted it to be
unexpected, yet comfortable, all the while reflecting Jen’s style. In the end, I
went with a handmade, vintage feel for the overall event. With decor including
handmade pillows and napkin treatments, hanging mason jars, vintage china and an
eclectic mix of flowers and vases adorning the table.
weddings for some of the most discriminating brides in Southern California
everyday, I was very nervous about meeting her standards. I wanted it to be
unexpected, yet comfortable, all the while reflecting Jen’s style. In the end, I
went with a handmade, vintage feel for the overall event. With decor including
handmade pillows and napkin treatments, hanging mason jars, vintage china and an
eclectic mix of flowers and vases adorning the table.
The afternoon started with a cocktail hour of passed mimosas, wine and
tropical iced tea. Passed appetizers included only Jen’s favorites such as mini
burgers, macaroni and cheese and pad thai in peanut sauce. The ladies chit
chatted, laughed and took full advantage of the makeshift photobooth set up in
the corner of the garden. Props such as pom-poms, cowboy hats, feather boas and
tiaras were a huge hit and helped create some great memories.
tropical iced tea. Passed appetizers included only Jen’s favorites such as mini
burgers, macaroni and cheese and pad thai in peanut sauce. The ladies chit
chatted, laughed and took full advantage of the makeshift photobooth set up in
the corner of the garden. Props such as pom-poms, cowboy hats, feather boas and
tiaras were a huge hit and helped create some great memories.
For lunch, we served a mix of locally grown greens, salmon and fresh made
bread on top of turquoise pressed glass plates, which was paired with organic
wine from the Robller vineyard in Southern Missouri. After lunch, the ladies
showered Jen with gifts that reflected her style including rock-and-roll onesies
and a custom-designed skateboard by local tattoo artist, Andrew Milko, a guy
with amazing talent! Lunch ended with cupcakes from McLain’s Bakery, a staple in
the Kansas City community for over 50 years, and homemade pecan tarts.b
bread on top of turquoise pressed glass plates, which was paired with organic
wine from the Robller vineyard in Southern Missouri. After lunch, the ladies
showered Jen with gifts that reflected her style including rock-and-roll onesies
and a custom-designed skateboard by local tattoo artist, Andrew Milko, a guy
with amazing talent! Lunch ended with cupcakes from McLain’s Bakery, a staple in
the Kansas City community for over 50 years, and homemade pecan tarts.b
Comment by Alissa on 13 June 2008:
Ok so I was loving this post for the fun colors and glass bottles…and then start reading the article and its at my FAVORITE restaurant. Blue Bird is amazing. Thanks Beth for a little KC love -everything looks gorgeous!
Comment by Mrs. T. on 13 June 2008:
This is currently my favorite party color scheme. Beautiful!
Comment by Joy on 13 June 2008:
I love the colors. Where can I find those navy bottles? I love them. Please let me know. Thanks!!!
Comment by carrie m on 14 June 2008:
the bootie cupcakes are to die for!
Comment by kristin @ the fairmount bride on 15 June 2008:
those colors are so pretty together, it makes such a visually stunning table.
Comment by bria@blisseventgroup.com on 15 June 2008:
Do you remember when baby showers screamed “Baby!!” adhering very strictly to pastels with plastic pacifiers scattered on every surface? Those days are over! This shower looks fabulous!!
Comment by Jessica on 15 June 2008:
I LOVE this color scheme. I’d be interested to see it followed through for a weddin’!
Comment by Madelyn @ Southern Wedding Style on 15 June 2008:
The tables are absolutely gorgeous and so modernly beautiful! Love it!
Comment by Events by Evonne on 16 June 2008:
Super cute… love all the colors! Great job, Beth! Hope to see you again soon!
Comment by i love discount jewelry on 17 June 2008:
These invitation colours and styles are really beautiful. They really are like nothing I’ve seen before. What a statement it makes as a guest’s first interaction and impression of your wedding.
Comment by Liz on 22 November 2008:
Oh my goodness! Blue Bird Bistro, I love this place! It’s so surprising to be planning my wedding in Orange County, Calif., and suddenly be swept into the past by a blog on Style Me Pretty. Another treasure in Kansas City is Fevere Bakery! I spent many a night baking bread there with close friends and popping over to the Blue Bird for some ginger soda. Ah, the sweet, sweet memories of Kansas City! I plan on writing about Kansas City’s amazing small businesses in Entrepreneur Magazine one of these days.