*For the safety of all of our guests we asked everyone to either present their covid vaccination cards or a negative covid result that took place within 24-48 hours of the event.
After Jimmie proposed to me I knew exactly who I wanted to host my bridal shower. My mom and my cousin Kim have created beautiful events in my family for as long as I can remember. Planning is our love language and I knew it would be amazing. They began to plan my bridal shower in February 2021. They decided to hire an event planner and they went with Tomeka Paul of Ooh La La Exquisite Events. I joined them for their first meeting and I told them that I wanted a Kentucky Derby themed bridal shower. I love seeing women dressed up and showcasing their interpretation of southern elegance and charm. I was not involved in any other part of the planning and I didn't need to be because they nailed it!
The shower took place at Ronin Art House Harrisburg which is owned by a husband and wife couple and I just so happened to have attended college with the wife. It was the perfect canvas for Tomeka and her team's vision. The room looked amazing! There were flowers that were turned into headpieces on manikin heads, a flower and balloon display wall for photos, and a large photo of Jimmie and I that served as the backdrop for the cake. I love a mimosa so they had a mimosa bar for my guest to enjoy. If you know me then you know I love pictures. They had pictures of Jimmie and I on the tables and a tribute table to honor our grandmothers who were there with us in spirit.
Food is an important part to any event. I feel like it helps to tell a story, create conversations, and leaves a lasting memory. Chef Rey has been a part of our family's culinary journey for quite some time. When my mom told me that he was catering the food I knew our guests were in for a treat. He created a spread of food that included shrimp and grits, crab cakes with slaw, barbecue chicken with potatoes, pasta, and prawns. Then the dessert!! Yes there were other desserts besides the shower cake. Chef Rey is known for his cheesecake which was definitely in attendance and enjoyed but there were also brownies, lemon bars, mini pecan pie and sweet potato pie, and chocolate covered Oreos with my shower logo imprinted on them. My guest did not leave hungry.
My favorite DJ is DJ Supastar and she gave the shower a special vibe. We played games and the hosts were my sister-in-love Nicole and my cousin Susie. My mom and cousin had a special surprise for me. Since the shower was Kentucky Derby themed they had a hat fashion show that gave me my entire existence!!!
The shower was fabulous but there are two things I will cherish the most. The first is that we started and ended in prayer. My sweet cousin Sherrell opened the shower with a prayer and my Aunt Sandra closed the shower with all of the ladies in a circle holding hands. The second was the love in the room. Not just the love towards me, but the love the women showed one another. I am blessed with a beautiful tribe and the display of that beauty was in full effect.
I know I've flooded you with a lot of photos but here are a few more that are too good that I had to share!
I hope you all enjoyed seeing my bridal shower. I can't wait to share the rest of my wedding journey with you!
With Love and Curves,
Ashley