Coastal Grandmother Bridal Shower
Embracing Elegance: A Coastal Grandmother Bridal Shower by the Ocean
In early June under a sky painted with pastel hues, we celebrated a unique and enchanting bridal shower, capturing the essence of the “coastal grandmother” aesthetic. This delightful event was hosted at The Beach Chalet, where the gentle waves and serene surroundings provided the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable day of love, laughter, and timeless charm. As the Mother of the Groom, it was my honour and delight to host this lovely afternoon for my future daughter-in-law.
Setting the Scene
My wonderful friend helped me set up the day before. We had many laughs trying to squeeze the roses into balloons and then fill them with water to be frozen overnight. We both got soaking wet when the water spurted everywhere. Bunting was hung on the fencing and through the trees over the table set up in the garden. Early June was perfect timing for all the blooms in the garden. The sea breeze flowed freely, bringing with it a sense of tranquility and the refreshing scent of saltwater.
Decorations were meticulously chosen to embody the coastal grandmother style, blending elements of classic English Garden Party charm. Soft linens in shades of ivory, beige, and muted blues draped over tables, while bamboo chairs and vintage lanterns added a touch of rustic elegance. Fresh carnations and baby’s breath were arranged in rose pink glasses, creating stunning centerpieces that exuded natural beauty. Natural bug repellant was made by filling mason jars with lemon and lime slices, adding drops of lemon, citronella and eucalyptus oil and topping off with a floating candle.
Charcuter"tea"
Filling collected vintage fine bone china cups and saucers with beautifully crafted charcuterie, complete with an assortment of cheeses, fruits, olives, meats and artisanal bread, was the centerpiece of the dining experience.
Guests sipped on refreshing beverages, including sparkling rosé, lemon water and flavoured Sanpellegrino.
The pièce de résistance was to be a pavlova covered in fresh fruit and whip cream however I had a bit of an oven malfunction. A guest had changed the setting on my oven from Fahrenheit to Celsius without my knowledge. So when I set the oven to 180 degrees to bake the merengue, it was actually the equivalent of 356. That pavlova was fried. Luckily I did have some store purchased merengues in the pantry so was able to save dessert after all.
activities and games
To keep the atmosphere lively and engaging, a variety of activities and games were organized. A “Message in a Bottle” advice station allowed guests to share their wisdom and well wishes on paper and pop them in a beautiful green bottle (the bride’s favourite colour). A coastal-themed Instagram Corner, under a vintage window frame wreathed with flowers, provided memorable snapshots.
Fishing net held photos of the Groom as a baby which everyone oohed and ahhhed over. After all, he was pretty cute.
We also played Croquet which got pretty competitive when the dog kept running off with the balls and one had to play the ball where it was dropped.
And of course, there was the gift opening!
A Heartfelt Celebration
This coastal grandmother bridal shower was a beautiful blend of timeless elegance and coastal charm, creating an atmosphere of warmth and intimacy. It was a celebration that perfectly reflected the Beach Chalet’s location on the Salish Sea. As we bid farewell to the day, we carried with us cherished memories and a sense of anticipation for the upcoming wedding, knowing that the love and joy experienced here would continue to ripple through the lives of everyone present.
Want to host your own coastal grandmother bridal shower or garden party?
If I’ve inspired you to host your own Coastal Grandmother Bridal Shower or Garden Party, I’ve put a gude together of what I used to decorate and host.
