Mermaid-themed 'Cocktail Hour' Bridal Shower in Connecticut

Anytime I'm able to share any of Heidi's work, I know it's going to be good. One of my all-time favorite posts here on CB is Heidi's New England Equestrian Bridal Shoot - see for yourself. She seriously has the magic touch when it comes to photography and such a keen eye for the perfect details. And she lives in New England {hello. I-am-officially-obsessed.}. And the shoot I'm sharing today is over-the-top bananas in my book. Coastal Connecticut Mermaid-themed 'Cocktail Hour' Bridal Shower? Does that not sound like the most fun and beautiful bridal shower ever?! What's even more fun is that the bride-to-be's cousin, Sarah, is an event stylist and got her hands dirty planning this amazing shindig. {Her blog is addictive, btw}. Hope you enjoy:

From Sarah Crawford, cousin to the bride-to-be/event stylist from Lil hoot:

"My cousin, Ashly, is my favorite person on the planet. When she got engaged to her awesome fiancee Scott, I was beyond happy and since I am a party planner, I had already started planning the wedding and shower in my head months prior {obvs}. I knew I wanted to enlist the help of industry faves, White Loft Studio, Chocolate Creative Design and Petal Floral Design {who are also Ashly's wedding vendors}.

"I wanted the shower to personify Ashly - laid back, beautiful, and above all, fun! My mom was happy to co-host with me and offer her coastal connecticut home as the venue. She has a mermaid statue perched on her sea wall which was one of the inspirations for the event. Ashly has always loved the beach {so much so she resides on Nantucket!} so I wanted to incorporate seaside and beachy elements without being trite. She also isn't your typical bride and was not comfortable with the traditional shower concept so we set out to create a 'cocktail hour shower' announcing 'one less lovely fish in the sea.'

The invites, created by my lovely and talented friend Lucinda Wesson, of Chocolate Creative Design, set the tone for the celebratory occasion perfectly. Lucinda illustrated a darling mermaid holding a cocktail which was then printed with gold foil on the invites, complimenting the pink, coral and aqua color scheme. The RSVP was to go to the 'mermaid of honor.' Envelopes were lined with an aqua and gold glittered scallop pattern.

The bridesmaids had fun posing with the bride while she held a pink mermaids sign!

The mermaid statue perched on Sarah's mom's sea wall at her home along the coast in Connecticut. Isn't it amazing!?

The gurgling cod was used for the floral centerpiece, which was composed of coral charm peonies and other gorgeous blooms, {also a gift to the bride to be}.

There were multiple surprises in store for Ashly. Her best friend from DC flew in for the event - Heidi, of course, captured the reaction of the elated bride perfectly. Which brings me to my next surprise- Heidi, of White Loft Studio, herself! Ashly is thrilled to have her shoot her October wedding on Nantucket so her presence at the shower made her so happy, and even happier when we saw the pictures! Heidi also delivered the gorgeous florals from Ashly's wedding florist, Petal Floral Design.

Gold, pink and aqua confetti was sprinkled throughout the party space as well as a 'one less fish in the sea' mermaid fabric banner, made by Lucinda. The scallop pattern, bubbles and mermaids were to be found everywhere from the pattern of my mom's stone patio to the cocktail napkins. Lucinda created a custom stamp for the napkins with the mermaid from the invite and the don ho lyrics 'tiny bubbles in the wine, make me happy, make me feel fine.' The sweets were originally to be set up on the sea wall but the weather didn't cooperate. Instead we set up the dessert table inside with subtle seaside elements.

A gold 'holla' sign was the focal point of the bar. This was a perfect "prop" for our fun bride-to-be! 

Vintage jadeite shell and cake stands were used to display pink champagne and mint macarons, seashell and starfish cookies, and a delicate scalloped cake with a peony fondant topper also graced the table.

Cast iron mermaid bottle openers served as favors with a pablo picasso quote - 'love is the greatest refreshment of all.' These were hung from the chandelier above the bar.

  

Guests were served pink champagne in aqua and blush champagne flutes with gold and pink pom pom swizzle sticks.

Guests were also sent home with small bundles of glitter and other goodies to throw in the sea at a full moon {shower was 2 days before full moon} as part of a 'mermaid love spell.'

Looking forward to collaborating with all of these amazing vendors in October for the main event, and feeling so lucky that we get to have so much fun along the way. holla!"

From the gorgeously-scalloped cake to the almost-too-perfect mermaid perched on the sea wall and the adorable mermaid bottle-opener favors, I think a mermaid spell was cast on me! Doesn't this look so exquisitely fun? 

Thank you so much to Heidi, of White Loft Studio, for sharing the gorgeous {as always!} images, and to Sarah Crawford, of Lil Hoot, for sharing all the lovely details with us! And early congrats to Ashly - I kinda can't wait to see your sure-to-be fabulous wedding in Nantucket! :) xx.

Credits:
event styling - Lil hoot
photography - white loft studio
invitation/paper goods/styling - chocolate creative design
flowers- petal floral design
macarons -c. crowell confections
cookies - sugar on top
holla sign - oh dier
linens- La Tavola
fondant peony - sugar and stripes co.

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