Kaitlyn’s Bridal Shower: Coquette Edition
Coquette aesthetic. What is that?
Coquette aesthetic is used on social media platforms to describe ultra-feminine styles, including flowy dresses or bows on accessories from hair pins to phone cases. For the past few years, the popularity of unapologetic displays of femininity has been expressed with these accents of ribbons, ruffles, and the like. I’d wager Bridgerton also had an influence. Whatever the cause, I am here for it.
With designers ranging from Oscar de la Renta and Monique Lhuillier to Vera Wang, the prominence of bows can be found even in wedding gown options.
In one of many celebrations while counting down the days until “I do,” Kaitlyn’s bridal shower theme perfectly showcased shades of pink and ivory with bows on everything you can imagine.
If you also love the idea of bows and ribbons for your celebration in the days leading up to the wedding, Kaitlyn’s bridal shower might inspire you with ways to incorporate bows and ribbons or give you an idea for games during your bridal shower.
THE DETAILS
Upon arriving on site, you are greeted with the first of many bows: on the welcome signs and the seating chart.
Her maids of honor and bridesmaids each had a bow accent on them: a bracelet, hair accessories, their shoes or dresses; and they all donned shades of pink, perfectly complementing the bride-to-be in white. Even the speaker had a perfectly-wrapped bow on top!
At the table, you are met with a neatly-prepared napkin in the shape of a bow and a mini bottle of sparkling rosé as a party favor. Each table is identified with numbers on a frame — with bows, of course — and a photo of the future Mr. & Mrs.
The chairs are wrapped in pink ribbons — with the exception of the bride-to-be’s chair, which was decorated in a beautiful white bow and ruffles.
DESSERTS
And the best part of every meal: dessert!
The dessert table included mini vanilla and chocolate cupcakes, customized cookies, cake pops, and a larger round cake decorated with — you guessed it — pink bows.
GAMES
Scratch off
The first game was easy and dependent on lady luck: a scratch off! Everyone received a scratch off card with a caricature of the bride-to-be and the scratch off area above a suit. The game was able to set a fun mood off the bat, with some of the unlucky cards revealing Voldemort.
Guessing game: Where Were They?
As a couple who loves to travel together, some of the games incorporated their adventures and love for exploring.
The first showed photos they visited together and and guests were to guess the correct location. Paris, Portugal, Miami — where did they go?
Ways to Say, “I love you” Around the World
Another game was a mix-and-match of “I love you” in different languages, where guests matched each phrase with the corresponding language. Ti amo. Je t’aime. Saranghae.
Games focusing on the bride included:
Bride Trivia: This or That?
Tallying up who got the most points knowing the bride’s preferences: “coffee or tea,” “jeans or sweats,” “early riser or late sleeper.”
Emoji Pictionary
Guests guessed what the corresponding emojis meant, such as 👰♀🚿 for “bridal shower.”
And, my personal favorite: the Wedding Shoe Game.
Toward the end of the celebration, husband-to-be, Mark, visited with flowers and the biggest of smiles. Seated back-to-back so they couldn’t see each other’s answers, they each held a shoe of the other person in one hand and their own shoe in the other. When prompted with questions such as “Who is messier?” or “Who is the better cook?” the couple would raise their own shoe for themselves or their fiancé(e)’s shoe.
It was such a pleasure to hear the laughter and awe throughout the room while the bride and groom shared their love of each other.
However you decide to celebrate your bridal shower, having a reliable photographer will help you be present in the moment and have quality photos to look back on.
Be the bride who thinks “These are the moments I cherish; I am so glad to have these images,” instead of wishing you did something else in hindsight.