There’s so much pretty eye candy to share in this gorgeous “Tres Shabby Chic” Baby Shower Brunch for the sweet & talented Andrea from Dolce Drive! I love how incredibly soft and romantic this celebration feels (which is why I’m filing it under Bridal Shower inspiration too) – from the beautiful cakes embellished with fondant peonies & lace to the crystal-adorned branches and candlesticks and paper flower-topped party favors.

Andrea’s sisters and closest friends hosted the brunch and served up all her favorite foods, and several talented treat vendors that she works with created the most beautiful array of sweets – including lace-covered milk chocolate letters and Oreos! Being an event planner herself – Andrea couldn’t resist having a big hand in the design & styling of the party, so everything you see here bares her signature touch as well. Read on for lots more lovely imagery + all the pretty party details…

PARTY DETAILS, as told by Andrea…

“The shower was a Tres Shabby Chic Brunch with about 19 family and friends hosted by my best friend of 20 years, Lisa.  I enjoyed preparing for the brunch and setting up with the help of Lisa, my other best friends and my sisters.

Designing the look

I have had a serious crush on coral for some time now and I knew I wanted to use it. I also love lace and thanks to my  mom who used to sew lots of cloth for us, I have a big box full of vintage lace in different patterns and colors from peach, blue, white and ivory. I also own lots of burlap from prior events I’ve styled and knew the burlap material would also be a nice touch. I love bling but not too much bling so a little sparkle is always a must in almost everything I create which is how I came up with the Tres Shabby Chic look.

I have been wanting to incorporate a hand drawn image in my paper goods for some time now and it was perfect to do so with my own brunch. I worked with Michelle from Intrigue Design Studio and her husband and sent them my ideas, they were able to draw out exactly what I wanted and envisioned. I then designed some coordinating patterns with lace, damask and coral. I also picked out some scrapbook paper from our local Michael’s and made a few paper details using a variety of different patterns and colors. I wanted the tables for guests to be dressed nicely with real glass and dinnerware and lots of florals. I used my favorite hydrangeas, some movie star coral colored roses and baby’s breath to create little bunches of floral arrangements. Again, I didn’t keep things too uniformed in order to incorporate the shabby feel.

The tables were very chic,  dressed in beautiful linen with chargers, platters, glassware and even a sweet note I designed to welcome the guests. I often style with Chiavari chairs and I know they make a big difference in creating an elegant atmosphere.

The sweets table was quiet easy to put together. I work with so many wonderful vendors in styling events and they always blow me away with their creations. They were all so wonderful and excited to finally create something for my own personal use. =) I really appreciate how genuinely sweet and giving these women are and I am honored to consistently work with them in creating gorgeous events. I always say, I am as good as the team I work with and I have one heck of a team!!! Thank you all so much!

These ladies all spent so much time working with me to design the prettiest treats. From milk chocolate lace covered oreos to gorgeous coral colored rose sugar cookies to three delicious cakes, cake pops, brownies and sugary meringues, I was one spoiled momma. I was supposed to bake my own cupcakes because I do enjoy baking for myself and I love my guava cupcakes but I didn’t make it. Once I saw the incredible display of sweets I had for a small amount of guests I decided to turn down the guava cupcakes for some much needed shut eye. So for once I actually went to bed at a decent time which left me feeling fully rested for my special brunch.

I gave out a few different favors to thank my sweet family and friends for sharing the special day with me. I purchased little white boxes and had parchment paper white bags so guests were able to take home lots of sweets after we had enjoyed dessert. I also gave pearl earrings in paper bag envelopes tied with a thank you note. And lastly, my sweet cousin Barbie and her sweet business partner, Ana, made the most delicious and beautiful chocolate chip cake pops which I dropped in a small clear cake pop box and added a coordinating thank you tag to some and others also had soft teal blue flower I made by hand using paper and some water.

The day of the shower I arrived at Lisa’s with just a small amount of last minute details to set up. My incredible sisters and three best friends created a delicious menu of all my favorite foods and surprised me with a yummy brunch. Priscilla from Pretty and Pristine styled my hair beautifully and applied the perfect make up. If there is one thing I learned was that hiring a hair and make up artist is a must. All I had to do was slip on my party dress (she actually helped me with this too) and I was ready to greet my guests feeling like a super star. Lucky for me, my sweet and very talented sister in law, Heather of Heather Renee Photographie captured it all behind her magical lens. I have such beautiful pictures to remind me of this special day.

It was the perfect afternoon and I enjoyed it so very much. I felt so lucky to have such a loving thoughtful circle of family and friends to celebrate the upcoming arrival of my second child with.

A huge thank you to all of the women who helped, participated and attended the brunch.”