Garden in the Sky Sip & See
A new trend in the baby shower world is arising - the Sip and See. Unlike a standard baby shower, a Sip and See is an opportunity for family and friends to all come together to meet and celebrate the baby for the first time. We were thrilled to come on board and plan a beautiful Sip and See event to celebrate Cassie and Jerrod and the long awaited arrival of baby Lillian!
We start our design process by finding out what is important to the client, and by seeing their home. This gives us an intimate look at their personal style. At Cassie and Jerrod’s home, we were impacted by the number of beautiful plants and the earthy colors. In Lillian’s nursery, there was a colorful rug on the floor that embodied all the colors that gave life to this event. Any good event will have a fantastic theme, and this event was no different; Lillian’s Garden in the Clouds was the theme upon which we built the entire party. It turned out truly magical with tiny details making just as much impact as the larger event designs. The color board we built on was soft creams and neutrals layered with softer, antique shades of rose, sage, and slate blue - all inspired by a gorgeous rug in Lillian’s nursery. Imagining a wild garden found in the midst of a mountain of clouds, we weaved the element of florals set against soft creams throughout the event. The invitations, the linens, signage, and decor all carried this element which created a very cohesive, lovely nod to the overarching theme.
Originally intended to be held at Cassie and Jerrod’s home, when we changed the location, we wanted to bring the atmosphere of their home into the space as much as possible. The venue for the Sip and See was almost pure white, which provided a blank canvas on which we could build - and build we did! The centerpiece of the room was a lounge space we custom created for this event, intentionally created to mimic the comfortable living space area of a home; it was a cozy, purposeful space for Lillian to meet and greet all of her admirers and for guests to pause and sit for conversation throughout the afternoon. Surrounding the lounge space, we arranged tables covered in linens with soft, beautiful floral patterns mirrored by the gorgeous floral arrangements that topped them. The entire front wall of the venue was wall to ceiling mirrors which brought in natural light and kept the space from feeling overcrowded and stuffy.
A special, anchoring feature of Lillian’s Sip and See was what we dubbed “Lillian’s Corner” - a bright, airy part of the room that showcased pieces from Lillian’s closet and several special toys and pictures. A unique spot for guests to stop and take a picture against the backdrop of an enchanting nursery. It gave guests a glimpse into what Lillian’s room back at home looked like. The space also provided a natural gift drop zone for guests who brought gifts, and artfully displayed the gifts already received.
Another standout feature of the day was the food and drink. Signature cocktails of Oaks Lily and Old Fashioneds were a pleasant accompaniment to gourmet finger foods provided by Garnish Catering. Cassie and Jerrod wanted to keep the food casual but without sacrificing any deliciousness, so we worked to create a menu that everyone would love. We ended up with magnificent charcuterie boards, signature sliders, hand-rolled pretzels, and a build-your-own tater tot creation station, which all exemplified the whimsical nature of the Sip and See theme.
The final touch on the event was a special area for each guest to write a letter to Lillian and her parents. Complete with candles and hand-decorated cookies, this little nook gave each attendee the opportunity to write a sweet note to the special little one being celebrated. In lieu of a traditional guest book, we designed a keepsake concept of beautiful, floral inspired notecards that could be kept and cherished for years to come. Beginning the upcoming event season with a celebration of a new little life was such a wonderful way to embark into spring!
Event Planning: House of Joy Photography: Chelsey Barhorst Photography