{family shower}
Bridesmaid and future sister-in-law, Gabriella, hosted this party for Madison,
with lots of help from me and my sisters.
The sad thing is it appears I have lost all my pictures,
with the exception of a collage I posted on Instagram.
Aunt Linda shared several pictures as well.
First of all, we were blessed with perfect weather,
so we were able to have the garden party I had imagined.
Every other Saturday in May it rained.
{guests}
Madison and her mother
Jenny, Suzanne, Esther and Grandma Joy
Jensen cousins~Sirie, Kirsta and her daughter, McKenzie
Aunt Bonnie, Aunt Shirley, and Aunt Linda
Snyder cousins~Elaine, Linda, Laurie, Margie, and Diane
We set up a buffet in the kitchen
and two long banquet tables in the backyard.
I borrowed table linens from my mom,
pink and white damask.
We used my Royal Doulton Sherbrooke wedding china
on one table and Mom's Spode Billingsley Rose china,
on another, along with her sterling tableware and my Gorham crystal.
Miraculously, my abundant peony plants bloomed
the morning of the shower and I cut generous bouquets.
For other arrangements I used pink roses and blue hydrangea.
Arrangements adorned the porch, the patio, and the tables.
So sad I don't have good pictures of the beautiful flowers.
{menu}
Brie cheese with cherry jam and table water crackers
Cobb salad
Chilled strawberry soup, served in teacups
Chilled raspberry soup for Madison & Terry
Esther's homemade rolls
Lemon, strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate cakes
from Cakes de Fleur
We served white grape juice and ginger ale punch
from Grandma Snyder's hobnail punch bowl
and dessert on Grandma Jensen's Minton dessert plates.
It was so much fun to set a pretty table with
my mom's and my grandmothers' beautiful things.
{invitations and favors}
Gabriella planned the favors 100% on her own-
individually sized Martinelli's sparkling apple juice
with a tag she designed that read
"Cheers to the future bride!"
She embossed gold wedding bells on the tag.
Craig and I made the invitations,
with pink paper and liners from Write Image
and gold embossing, with stamp and embossing tools
from Paper Source.
The party planning was so fun.
It was a delightful afternoon celebrating Madison
and watching her open many lovely gifts.
Besides the Ebert shower and the Jensen shower,
Teri Croft hosted a Parley's 4th Ward shower,
with help from Mary Lee, Annette, Sarah, and Claudia,
with Chinese chicken salad, rolls, fruit, and a variety of desserts,
including sugar cookie favors.
Gabriella and I were also invited to Madison's home ward shower,
in Holladay, hosted by Christena Durham,
with grilled panini sandwiches, fruit, and a lovely array of desserts.
Her Chi Omega sisters threw her a shower as well
and are planning a bachelorette party too.
It's such a special thing to experience such love, support,
and generosity from dear friends and family!
