How to Host a Shower at a Restaurant
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When I first moved to Kansas City, I only knew a handful of people. One of them being Ali, who I met through another great friend, Cristina. She welcomed me with open arms & immediately made me feel at home. So much has changed in the nearly 6 years since I moved here {2 homes, 3 kids…}, but my friendship with Ali has been a constant. She has been so kind & caring to our family, that I was elated when she announced she was having one of her own! Our girlfriends & I decided a brunch baby shower would be a great way to celebrate her & baby boy-to-be.
We celebrated at a local restaurant, so decor had to be quick & easy to set up, yet elegant. I wanted it to be as colorful & cheerful as Ali. Not one to stick to traditional boy/girl colors & noting that this was a celebration of Ali & baby to be, I wanted to integrate pinks into yellows & blues. A quick look at the before:
See the difference 15 minutes makes?
I love shower decorations that are personalized for the guest of honor. I contacted her photographer & included one of her maternity photos in the “Hello Baby” banner I had customized. It also made a quick & easy backdrop to set up {not shown}.
The table runner was also personalized. I don’t typically use a lot of “paper” products, however, this table runner is an exception! It’s made of vinyl, doesn’t crease & wipes clean/dry. I like using table runners to layer. It adds a lot of color & interest to a table.
Emmy-Ray nailed the flowers! I pictured soft yellows & pinks with pops of hot pink & a hint of wispiness, & she didn’t disappoint! The julep cups & mercury glass blended Ali’s traditional taste with the modern restaurant. They were filled with garden roses, peonies & tulips. Follow Emmy-Ray on her blog Handmaker of Things here!
I filled silver baby booties with blooms that also made great keepsakes!
I wrapped flag stickers around grey striped paper straws & added place cards to complete the look.
I was able to completely transform the space & photograph it in just 20 minutes.
We had a great time celebrating Ali & can’t wait to meet baby!
For more easy entertaining ideas, you’ll love inspiration from this 40th Birthday!
Jenna says
Love this! Where on earth did you find the silver baby booties??
Julie says
Pottery Barn Kids, enjoy!
Lauren says
Hi Julie! I am just testing my luck here since I see this post was from years ago.. I am very curious though, did you pay for everyone’s meals? I am contemplating having a “baby sprinkle” for a friend that I recently met (Army life) and I thought inviting all her friends out to one final “girl’s day out/ brunch” would be best.. but I am not sure what the etiquette would be. Do I pay for everyone’s meal? Will they be expecting me to? I have never met any of her other friends since we all just moved here, and there will be 10+ women. TIA for any insight!
Julie says
Yes, but you can limit the menu or order a spread ahead to limit the expense.
Janna Robinett says
Hi Julie I just found your lovely blog after looking for some inspiration for a baby shower (both of my daughter’s are pregnant). Yikes! We are planning to have a shower in a restaurant and I love so many of the touches you shared in Hosting A Baby Shower in a restaurant. I really liked the table runner and matching place cards. Do you recall where you found the runner?
Julie says
Thanks! Minted. Enjoy!
Jen says
Pretty color palette! It would be nice to see how the whole room looked finished.
Julie says
Thanks Jen! It was just the 6 of us, so the table was the room 🙂 Hope you have a great week!
Charlotte says
What restaurant was this at? You did such a great job making the plain table look so festive.
Julie says
Thanks, Charlotte! Story in Prairie Village, Kansas