If you’ve followed my blog for even a little while, you have met my daughter, Elizabeth. I, of course, think she’s wonderful. One of the things that makes me very proud is that she’s a good & generous friend. One of her childhood friends is getting married this summer so when Elizabeth asked me to help host a bridal shower I said “yes” right away. When the idea of a box lunch bridal shower started to form, we got very excited and have loved every minute of the planning and preparation.
{The happy bride-to-be!}
We started out with a large guest list and no venue. We quickly decided to just host it here, On Sutton Place. When we were brain-storming ideas on how we could accommodate around 50 people, we came up with the idea of a box lunch. Pinterest helped, but we quickly found out that we had to find our own resources and come up with our own plan.
Going with a box lunch took care of a few problems. First, we wouldn’t have to seat every guest. The boxes would contain the entire meal and could be easily balanced on a lap. Second, they would have to be assembled the day before. This meant all the work was finished by the day of the shower. To me this was a major plus since we had a start time of 11 a.m.
The first order of business was finding the actual box for the lunches. Once that was done the rest really just fell into place. We provided some seating on our deck and were blessed with a beautiful day.
I gathered most of my creamware pitchers and they became the centerpieces after being filled with daisies and baby’s breath. We purchased some fabric and made square toppers for all the tables.
We tied ribbon on almost everything! The wedding colors of green and gray were our inspiration. Most of the ribbon was found at Hobby Lobby and some was purchased at papermart.com.
We didn’t include dessert in the boxes. We decided to put together a dessert table for the guests to help themselves. We thought about baking our own cupcakes but decided to buy them at a sweet little bakery in our town. Elizabeth and I agreed it was one of the smartest decisions we made! Not only did it save us tons of time, they were truly delicious.
The entire day was as close to perfect as we could get. Everything turned out just like we had planned (which you have to admit hardly ever happens.) The bride-to-be felt special and received some incredible gifts to begin her life as a “Mrs.”
These girls, who have been friends since they were 9, shared a day that I think both will always remember. A good day at that.
This is the first post of a three part series.
Here’s the second post: DIY Box Lunch for a Picnic or Party
Here’s the final post: Bridal Shower Checklist
Jody says
Friday, February 22, 2019 at 10:04 pmWow. I am 64 years old and finally getting married to a wonderful man. I do not want to tell my siblings. I told one sister who will fly in on Friday and leave Sunday. She and I have always been the two most alike. So we are planning a picnic in our backyard. I bought a 10×20
Screened gazebo. Bought 2 picnic tables on let go for $125. I will paint them before the wedding. I thought boxed lunches first but only 12 guests seems kind of dumb. I am baking Subway breads and will make sandwiches. Potato salad, dips and a fruit salad on a long bamboo skewer. Saw your fruit dip which I will also make. Baked beans in crock pot. And I am making our cake. Blue velvet with white chocolate buttercream frosting and flower decorations I can sit one day and make and save. He wants to cater I want to do it myself. They think they are coming to a picnic. I am also making root beer moon shine. I will be feeling wonderful. God has blessed us so much.
Jody says
Friday, February 22, 2019 at 10:27 pmWell I just looked at your boxes and have changed my mind. I am going to do the boxes like I first thought of. I can wrap the bread in cellophane and make them up on Friday night like you said. I am in love with this idea. I told myself even 12 would hold up a line. Ha ha.
Audrie says
Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at 3:22 pmUsing your idea for a bridal shower what size boxes did you use? Than pyou
Marcia @Gathering at the Table says
Wednesday, June 5, 2013 at 9:09 pmThis is such a fantastic idea, Ann. Everything looks so fresh and pulled together. LOVE the clean simple look and the fresh color combination. ADORE the pitchers with daisies.
Off to catch up on some of your recent posts.
Best wishes to the bride.
The Tablescaper says
Saturday, June 1, 2013 at 10:53 pmVery fun!
I host a weekly link party called “Seasonal Sundays”. This week, in honor of my fourth blog-a-versary, I’m having a giveaway of a $100.00 gift certificate to HomeGoods/TJ Maxx. I’d love to have you join the fun!
– The Tablescaper
sharon says
Friday, May 31, 2013 at 5:40 pmThe shower looks like it was quite lovely. And how special that your daughter and the bride to be have been friends since childhood. That’s what I hope for with my daughter.
What a great idea for not just a shower, but any occasion. I’m really looking forward to seeing the how-to post.
Cristina says
Friday, May 31, 2013 at 9:22 amWhat a great idea! You did such wonderful job, everything looks beautiful!
Megan @ Our Pinteresting Family says
Friday, May 31, 2013 at 8:49 amThis shower is gorgeous! I love the box lunch idea. How creative and pretty! Found your idea through Blogtalk today. Pinned for inspiration. :)
Carole says
Thursday, May 30, 2013 at 7:50 pmAnn,
How lovely. You both did a great job. Love the idea of boxed lunches. However, I’m happy to say, I no longer have to think about bridal or baby showers. My daughter has been married for 13 years, and my grandsons are 7 and almost 11! It goes so fast.
Best to you.
Pamela Gordon says
Thursday, May 30, 2013 at 10:18 amAnn, this is just beautiful! What a wonderful job you and your daughter did for her friend. I love the box lunch idea and can’t wait to see what it consisted of. I like the colours of grey and green and the tables look so pretty. Sweet ideas!!
Glenda Childers says
Thursday, May 30, 2013 at 4:51 amWhat a beautiful gift/memory you provided for the bride and her friends. Well done.
Fondly,
Glenda
Pondside says
Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 11:47 pmThat must have been a wonderful afternoon. You have some great ideas – love the idea of the box lunch, and it would work for several sorts of events.
Bev says
Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 11:33 pmLove the idea and will pin it…… another fabulous idea !!!!
Deborah says
Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 10:34 pmoh Ann, what a wonderful idea and everything looks just perfect from the decorations to the bride to be and her best freind, your daughter. Love the lunch box idea. You have done it again! Can’t wait to see and hear more about it!
Melissa@TheHappierHomemaker says
Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 10:03 pmIt looks fabulous Ann! I can’t wait to see more about it!
Jenna says
Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 9:49 pmWhat a great idea! I love all the ways you tied the brides colors into the decor. My daughter happens to be my best friend too, and I have hosted countless showers for her friends with much pleasure…aren’t we the lucky ones!
Jenna
Jane @ Cottage at the Crossroads says
Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 9:44 pmAnn, I am pinning this fabulous idea! Everything looked wonderful, and your advance preparations made sure that both you and your daughter could really enjoy your guests. And the box lunches were the BEST and CUTEST idea I’ve seen! What a lucky bride-to-be with a forever friend like your daughter!
Cynthia says
Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 9:44 pmWhat an amazing and brilliant idea! Everything is adorable, the boxes and bows. The flowers and the deck looking wonderful. Perfect
Cynthia
Dori Troutman says
Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 9:43 pmOh Ann, this is the most beautiful shower and I love the box lunch idea. I can’t wait to see what you had in them! :-) And your daughter is just gorgeous. How fun that you got to be involved in the shower – I love putting on parties like this! It is just beautiful. I also think having it in a home makes it so much more personal (not to mention cheaper!) than renting a venue. ~ Dori ~
Grace @ sense and simplicity says
Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 9:31 pmSuch a great idea. It all looks so pretty and so organized.
shirley@housepitality designs says
Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 8:55 pmAnn…that is a fantastic idea for a shower, or any kind of similar event!!!…I am sharing this idea with many of my friends who entertain often…it looked like a wonderful event and the bride to be looked so happy…you and your daughter are very special!!!…
Sandy A says
Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 8:38 pmWhat a darling idea! You created a lovely shower-everything was just perfect…
Heather says
Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 8:13 pmYou outdid yourself Anne – what a gorgeously decorated shower! I’m sure everyone had so much fun! Your daughter is gorgeous – you must be so proud of her! Pinned!
Kelly says
Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 7:31 pmWhat a unique idea! I’ve never heard of that for a bridal shower before. I love the colorscheme you selected and how festive everything looked. Your white tables and chairs on the back deck looked just like a wedding party belonged there! That would be a challenge for most of us to serve so many people at once. You pulled it off quite well.
Eileen says
Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 6:40 pmI love the surprise of what’s in a lunch box. It’s like getting your own little present. Looks like a very nice day to me Ann. Congratulations to all!
Charlotte says
Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 5:34 pmOh Ann, what a great idea! I enjoyed reading this and love the idea of a box lunch! So glad you had wonderful weather, your deck looked beautiful! What a sweet daughter you have, she obviously takes after her mom:)
Xo,
Charlotte T
Jeanette Duke says
Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 6:28 pmWhat lovely ladies!! They both look so sweet. I remember going through all this with my daughter, Meredith who will be 41 tomorrow. I had a ball planning and hosting lots of showers. Some in and outside. It looked just beautiful, Ann, I know the girls had a great time. Look forward to seeing how you did the lunches. Isn’t it grand to have such nice girls?
Mimi says
Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 5:24 pmThat looks like a beautiful success! Loved it all. Lucky gal!
Jill Flory says
Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 5:09 pmAnn it is all so totally lovely! The box lunches is a wonderful idea and the addition of the dessert table makes it just perfect!
Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says
Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 4:26 pmWhat a cute idea! And an adorable shower! Can’t wait to see the details of those box lunches!
keri @ shaken together says
Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 4:18 pmAnn – love the colors, the ribbons and the beautiful simplicity! And I cannot WAIT to see those cute lunches!
Mary Alice Patterson says
Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 3:43 pmThis is such a great idea so you can enjoy the day yourselves. You and your daughter did such a lovely job to make the shower for her friend so special. I’m sure it will be a memorable time for years to come!
Mary Alice
Keeping It Cozy says
Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 2:57 pmWhat a great idea… I love it! I can’t wait to read about all the details. :-) Looks like such a beautiful and fun day.
Jane says
Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 1:53 pmThis was just wonderful, Ann! So many great ideas and as always, your beautiful touch!
How sweet that the bride and your daughter have been friends for so long! Now…I have to ask…where did Elizabeth find those cute shoes?!
XO,
Jane
Ann Drake says
Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 6:30 pmOh my gosh Jane I have no idea. She has a zillion pairs! I’ll ask her and let you know!
Michele says
Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 1:47 pmA very special post, well done, Ann!!
Your daughter is beautiful, and her friend is, too – and had a very lovely shower.
Sandy says
Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 1:02 pmAnn, A+ all the way round. Eager to know where you purchased those boxes.
Courtney@Golden Boys and Me says
Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 12:51 pmWhat a beautiful shower you hosted! I am very intrigued by the box lunch…can’t wait to see what is in those boxes!!
Amanda @ Dreamsicle Sisters says
Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 11:51 amFabulous idea! I love the look.
grammygoodwill says
Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 11:22 amThis is a great idea. I can’t wait for the details on the lunches.
Dawn says
Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 9:30 amPinning Now:) What a wonderful idea, and it is all so pretty. I bet the bride to be was delighted with how talented you and your daughter are. It looks like a great outdoor lunch space.
Angela says
Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 9:28 amWhat a wonderful idea! I’m so glad it all fell into place for you and the weather cooperated!! Can’t wait til tomorrow to see how you put those box lunches together!!~~Angela
Debra Burgin says
Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 9:25 amHow pretty! So happy you all had a beautiful day. Looking forward to seeing the details!
Penny & The Comforts of Home/From Harvest To Table says
Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 8:51 amWhat a wonderful way to host a bridal shower! Everything looked beautiful.
Diane | An Extraordinary Day says
Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 8:47 amWow! What a fabulous day!! I love every detail. And the love just oozes everywhere. I can only imagine how delighted the future Mrs. was. And you daughter…what a wonderful friend. Thanks for sharing this special day and how you thought, “outside the box.” Haha! Box lunches are fun…and I love how it made the ‘day of’ so much more fun for you too.
Wishing you An Extraordinary Day!
Stacey says
Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 8:44 amNeat! I am planning on having a girlfriend’s lunch this summer. Maybe we need a box lunch!
Cheryl @ The Creative Me and My McG says
Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 8:36 amLove this idea…bookmarking it for future reference – thanks!
debbiedoos says
Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 8:30 amLove love love this idea Ann. So happy you had a gorgeous day. I think that is so sweet your daughter has had a childhood friend that long, they must be like sisters. You both threw an amazing shower.