My due date was at the beginning of the summer, so when my mom and sister asked when I wanted my baby shower to be, I looked at the calendar...And May 2nd weekend was the Kentucky Derby! Perfect timing since I have ALWAYS wanted to have a Kentucky Derby party!
So my wheels began turning and Pinterest helped it along. I love to throw a party, especially with a theme, so I told my family I would take care of the decorations. I know...decorating for my own party...but, hey, I can't resist! We would have the shower at my house and derby attire was a must. Including the famous derby hats and fascinators!
We would definitely need a "Watering hole" for the drink station. And what derby party wouldn't be complete without Mint Juleps?!
I used my friend's cricet machine to make the bunting that I strung in the hall on the mirror. Mint Juleps on the right, lemonade on the left, and wine and beer in the middle.
The criqet also came in handy to make these cute race horses with some cute paper I picked up at Hobby Lobby.
I set out a variety of glasses, from my antique car glasses, to blue mason jars, and wine glasses.
Look at the horse themed wine my mom found and the Kentucky bourbon beer too.
Filling up on her mint julep! Giddy up!
For the main spread, I set up a table to display the derby themed food.
The bunting was made with the criqet also. I chose pink and ticking stripe pink for the base of the bunting and then a light mint green for the letters which spell "Down the Home Stretch"!
I used card stock in pastel pink, purple, and blues to create the giant horse ribbons which I attached with safety pins to the antique lace tablecloth.
I spray painted some cheap plastic horseshoes gold which I found in the children's toy section.
We tried to come up with cute "derby-esque" food descriptions. "Louisville Lemon Bars" are shown here.
Of course we had to have fried chicken! "Churchill Downs Chicken" shown here with dipping sauces.
Another southern favorite are the "Pimlico Pimento Cheese Sandwiches".
Now into the living room where the presents would be opened and games would be played.
Check out the adorable gray rocking horse my sister in law gave me. She found at a thrift store and painted it to coordinate with baby girl's nursery.
Atop the coffee table in the living room was some party mix as well as a horse trophy found at a Goodwill. I wrapped the base of the trophy in some pink ribbon to blend in with the rest of the decor.
Every horse race needs a betting area. I had a friend of a friend create these "betting cards" where everyone "bet" on the due date, the weight, and height. The winner would be sent a giftcard after baby girl was born. In front of the bassinet betting station was a mini library of books for the baby. Each guest was asked to bring a book in lieu of a card for the baby on the invitation.
(pssst...notice the glass horse book ends!)
We set up the party favors in the front foyer. The favors were sugar cookies cut in the shape of what else? A rocking horse! I framed the invitation and added a brass horse picked up at a local Goodwill.
Guests also got to sink their teeth into these delicious cupcakes made by a local baker. We set up the dessert station on the barcart I scored from Target. For more about the barcart check out this post.
Cupcakes with derby hats atop them.
A group shot of everyone at the derby shower.
Including this little munchkin...
He turned ONE the same weekend as my shower. For more on his baby shower that I threw last year, check out this post.
My mom even found a real horse saddle from a friend that we had on display on the front porch.
I think Tessa wanted to ride off into the sunset on it.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thanks for your comments! I'd love to hear your thoughts!