Moving from Ohio to Alabama, there is a stark difference in the month of February. In Ohio, you’ll most likely have snow, and grey, and bare trees, and no hope of green grass for a couple more months. Today, Feb 26th, in Alabama, I am working outside in 70 degree weather. Trees are budding, the sky is blue, the sun is out, the grass is beginning to green, and I need to get on the ball for planting my garden.
This kind of weather-when spring is just around the corner (but not quite here yet)-is when I get the most excited. It makes me want to take the winter decor up to the attic, pack away my thick sweaters and socks, and put out any and everything floral. When I go to boutiques and home goods stores, I have to tell myself that, no, I do not need every springy, floral, bunny themed thing.
So, I’ll put my energy somewhere other than spending money and making my home into a flower-encrusted shrine, and design a Love in Bloom party.
The great thing about this design is that it can be done on a small scale: Wedding showers or engagement parties. Or scaled sideways: Baby showers or birthday parties. Or Scaled up to a full wedding. The Love in Bloom Pinterest section is designed with a bachelorette weekend in mind but has ideas that could be used in all of these scenarios, and I’ll make note of changes that could be made when needed.
Sarah P. Duke Gardens. Photo by Claire Sluss
Setting
Ideally, I would host this event in spring or early summer, but there is nothing stopping you from planning your party in the middle of winter. If you are hosting a shower or a few-hour party, there’s no need to travel far (I’ll talk about decorating your space next), but let’s talk bachelorette weekend (or week) destinations!
Springy Settings:
Napa Valley, California
Savannah, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
New Orleans, Lousianna
Charleston, South Carolina
Park City, Utah
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Charleston, SC. Photo by Claire Sluss
Destinations to base your whole trip around:
EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival at Disney World in Orlando, Florida: Late February - late May
Washington DC during their cherry blossom festival: Late March - early April
Holland, Michigan during their tulip festival: Late April - early May
Biltmore Blooms in Asheville, NC: Late April - early May
Flower & Food Festival at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee: Late April - early June
Destinations you can find all over:
Botanical Gardens - Some of my favorites include Huntsville Botanical Gardens in Huntsville, Alabama, Sarah P. Duke Gardens in Durham, North Carolina, and my wedding venue, Wegerzyn Gardens Metropark in Dayton, Ohio.
Pick-your-own flower farms
Hiking trails and parks
Tea rooms
Wegerzyn Gardens Metropark, Dayton, OH. Photo by Lauren Day Photography
Decorate Your Space
No matter your space (Air BnB, rented room, someone’s home, a pavilion), you can make a Love in Bloom theme work. A rose garden or flower festival backdrop would help with the ambiance but is wholly unnecessary.
When planning and gathering decorations, first pick the creative direction of your decorations. Are we going for a garden or tea party? Do we want a pastel dream with color-coordinating flowers? Or are we aiming for more natural and cottagecore? Different still, what if one flower is the star of the show? Look below for some of my events designed around 1 specific flower.
Get inspired to make your own flower-centric theme by taking a look at my Wedding Flora section.
Once you’ve picked the particulars, then you can move on to photo walls, props, centerpieces, favors, and more!
Full greenery photo wall
Full floral photo wall
Greenery with floral accents photo wall
“Floating” flower backdrop (made with fishing line)
Floral wreaths or hoops
Balloons tied with faux flower vines
Balloon flowers. I like these especially for a baby shower!
“Typical” centerpieces or mix it up with flower pots
Floral letters of The Main Two’s first initial, the last initial to be, or, if you’re a real overachiever, spelling out “Love in Bloom”, “Miss to Mrs.”, or another desired phrase.
Send guests home with…
Their DIY project (outlined in the next section)
Flower shaped sunglasses. Bonus points if everyone takes cute pics in them!
Flower seeds
A small potted plant
Make sure all of your invitations, signage, and additional papers include floral designs or clever flower puns.
Activities
In-Home
Flower bar. Stock up on Trader Joe’s flowers, buckets, and vases, and make your own centerpieces to take home.
Make practice bouquets. Have floral eggs, rubberbands, and floral tape ready. Or, if faux or dried flowers will be used, make them ahead of time! Just make sure that someone has space to store them.
Make flower crowns or headbands
Decorate Derby-style hats (and then go out to brunch!)
Paint flower pots to take home. Make sure guests won’t be flying home with these. Or, get teeny tiny ones like my friend did. I was able to take these back on a plane.
Follow a floral painting tutorial
Make floral inspired bookmarks
Floral letters made of cardboard, floral foam, and faux flowers
Baby Shower Bonus: paint onesies with your favorite flowers
Wedding Extra: have guests toss flower petals when The Main Two exit the ceremony or do a grand exit.
Photo by Lauren Day Photography
Out-And-About
Destination specific (see Setting section above)
Pick flowers at a flower farm
Take a flower arranging class. This would be especially helpful if your event will have DIY elements.
Painting and photo by Claire Sluss
Dress Code
Some people get irritated with mandated dress codes for bachelorette weekends or events, but I think it’s a lot of fun.
Coordinate with your floral theme:
Pink for cherry blossoms or roses
Purple for lavender
Purple, blue, and pink for hydrangeas
Assorted floral dresses (Floral bridesmaid dresses are on trend)
Pick a sweet color palette:
The Main Person’s favorite color
All white
Assorted pastels
Wear a “costume”:
Derby hats and floral dresses
Wear your Easter finery
2013 Coachella complete with flower crowns
Fun accessories:
Floral headbands or flower crowns (could be DIY)
Flower sunglasses
Matching T-shirts so your group doesn’t get separated:
Food & Drink
If you opted for a tea party, your food is basically planned out for you. Serve varying kinds of tea or have one kind with add-ins like milk, cream, sugar, cinnamon, or honey. Have tea sandwiches, macarons, little pastries, biscuits and jams, and trifles. Basically, think about what American Girl Felicity would have at tea and serve that.
A cherry blossom theme warrants cherry foods- plain cherries, cherry hand-pies, sundaes topped with maraschino cherries, black cherry ice cream, salad with dried cherries, or any other of the millions of cherry flavored foods.
If you chose another theme any food will do, but add in fun touches like edible flowers as garnish on charcuterie boards, in spring rolls or ice cubes, or atop desserts or punch. Add rose or lavender infused foods to your menu for a special touch. I’m not a fan of lavender, but lemon cupcakes with a touch of lavender added into the batter and icing is amazing. Decorate any un-floral foods (like cookies or cakes) with “flowers” (i.e. iced) or to resemble flowers: daisy shaped cookies or cupcakes iced to look like hydrangeas or roses.
Assuming that this still isn’t enough for your Love in Bloom party, add in flower straw toppers, floral print napkins or plates, or flower shaped plates, bowls, platters, or tiered trays.
Let’s finish off with some fun word play (a bit redundant since all word play is fun) to add to your Love in Bloom event.
Bride and Bloom
Stop & Smell the Rosé
April Showers bring May Flowers (I love this for a May baby!)
Baby in Bloom
Budding Baby
Flower Power
Tell me your favorite flower and let me know how you’d theme your Love in Bloom party!
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