Bridal Shower - Free Printables

I hosted a bridal shower for a dear friend today. Here is the invitation:


I wanted to do a "firsts" theme. I couldn't find a poem online for the invitation, so I came up with this rather cheesy one:

Before the Miss becomes a Mrs
Let's shower her with love and good wishes!
The wedding day is almost here
Bring something Caroline can use the first year:
The first time they do dishes, that very first night
Their first Christmas together, the first time they fight.

I thought it was a fun theme. Some of the gifts she got were:
*for their first shower together (from me, it was a shower caddy they registered for filled with shampoo, body washes, and poufs)
*the first time they don't have time to make a big breakfast (muffin tin and muffin mix)
*their first Valentine's day (a dozen roses and some candles and other romantic items).

We'd also videotaped her fiancee ahead of time answering several questions about their first meeting, first impressions of each other, first date, first kiss, etc. We asked Caroline the questions at the shower, let her answer, and then played the video of Dave answering the same questions. I really enjoyed hearing their answers and learning more about their courtship.

Video Love Story Questions

I also asked all the guest to fill out a card with some thoughts on the first year of marriage. I took a picture of Caroline with each guest and I'll put together a photo album with each person's picture next to their card.

Advice cards (three 4 x 6 cards per page)

I decorated in hot pink because that is the main wedding color. I also wrapped all of my picture frames in hot pink wrapping paper. I thought it was a fun - and easy way - to make the room look more festive.

We had rolls, oriental chicken salad, cranberry-blueberry oatmeal cookies, double-chocolate banana cookies, and cream puffs. I'll include the recipes at the end of this post.

The favor table: The little bags are filled with dark chocolate pomegranates.

Here are the recipes, as promised.

Oriental Chicken Salad
Serves 16
I started with this recipe.

1/2 head of Napa cabbage, chopped
1/2 head of red cabbage, chopped
3 heads of romaine, chopped
6 medium carrots, peeled and grated on largest setting
10 chicken tenders, cooked according to package directions and sliced*
1 package chow mein noodles
2 cans mandarin oranges, drained well
slivered almonds (optional)
honey mustard dressing (recipe follows)

Toss cabbages, romaine, and carrots together in a large bowl and set aside. (I actually doubled this so I could use the whole heads of both cabbages, then saved the extra salad for something else.)

Toss salad with about half of the dressing. Top salad with sliced chicken tenders, chow mein noodles, and mandarin oranges. Toss lightly.

Put out remaining dressing and a bowl of slivered almonds for people to add if desired.

*I used all white meat crispy chicken tenders from Costco

Honey Mustard Dressing
3/4 cup honey
6 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
1 cup mayonaise
4 tsp dijon mustard
1/2 tsp sesame chili oil

Mix all ingredients and blend well with an electric mixer.

Double-Chocolate Banana Cookies
Recipe found here.

Cranberry-Blueberry Oatmeal Cookies
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cup white sugar
1 1/2 cup brown sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 TBSP hot water
3 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp soda
4 cups oatmeal
1 cup dried blueberries
1 cup dried cranberries (craisins)

Cream butter, sugars, eggs, and vanilla. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend well. Bake at 375 degrees for 7 to 9 minutes.

Both of the cookie recipes are from my mother-in-law with minor adaptations. Both of them work well with white flour or whole wheat flour or a mixture of the two. Both recipes also freeze really well. To freeze: cool cookies completely, place desired amount into freezer bags and freeze. To serve: remove bag from freezer 1 hour before serving.

Brownie Love

I made 6 dozen brownies for a wedding reception today. A friend was getting married and another friend offered to coordinate refreshments. So she sent out an email with what was needed and people responded with what they could bring. Approximately 15 women brought 26 dozen brownies, 10 gallons of ice cream, paper products, and various juices/ginger ale for punch. What an easy way to do a wedding reception and I thought it was very thoughtful and kind of someone to arrange this for a busy bride.

I have a fantastic brownie recipe. It can be used as brownies or a sheet cake. I have even made it as a birthday cake. It is fast and easy to make, is even better the second day (I love to be able to make things ahead!), and it even freezes well! One pan makes 3 dozen large brownies or 5 dozen small brownies (cut 7 rows by 9 rows).

Texas Sheet Cake

Bring to boil:
2 sticks margarine or butter
1 cup water
4 Tbsp. cocoa

While the above is heating up, combine in large bowl:
2 cups flour
½ tsp. salt
2 cups sugar
1 tsp. soda


Add boiled mixture to flour mixture. Add:
½ cup sour cream
2 eggs

Mix well, pour into greased jelly roll pan (10" by 15" pan with 1” sides). Bake 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees. Frost while the cake is hot.

ICING

Bring to boil:
1 stick margarine or butter
6 Tbsp. milk
4 Tbsp. cocoa

Add 4 cups (1 pound) powdered sugar. Mix well, add 1 tsp. vanilla and chopped nuts (optional).