I don't often get the chance to do "special event" decorating but it can be a lot of fun.  Just before my niece's wedding I co-hosted her Bridesmaids’ Luncheon. If you haven't been to one - a Bridesmaids’ luncheon is an event intended to be a thank you from the bride to her bridesmaids and is a lovely opportunity to bring the women in the bridal party and in the family together to celebrate the upcoming nuptials. Our luncheon was held the day before the wedding, a sunny and hot Friday in June. My niece requested that her luncheon be held in my lakefront backyard. A great idea, except that we live in Florida, and June in Florida means 90 plus degree heat and near 100% humidity. I wanted to give the bride what she requested so the solution was a rented tent for shade, industrial strength fans, and a menu of light and refreshing foods.

The bridal couple's colors were pink and green with accents of gold so we used those colors as our inspiration. We hung an assortment of colorful paper lanterns from the underside of the tent to lend a festive air. On the tables we had fuchsia table cloths and bright green napkins.  Pictures of the bride in pretty gold frames, provided by my co-hostess, were scattered around the top of the table. The finishing touch was bright bouquets in a variety of pinks and greens.  My daughter and I made arrangements of  pretty pink roses, green tinted hydrangeas, berries and a few smaller blooms in simple square vases.

Keeping cool in the Florida heat was a challenge, but with the fans on high and the tent giving us shade, the ladies stayed comfortably cool. Just in case anyone was feeling a little overheated, our party favors were paper fans personalized with the name of the bride and groom and happy wishes for my niece and her future husband. 

Our menu was all cool, summery foods. A chilled avocado cucumber soup was a perfect, light starter. Respecting the bride’s vegetarian tastes, we followed up with a summer pasta salad with quinoa, asparagus, and strawberries on a bed of spinach. A lemon burst cake from a local bakery was a pleasantly light final note.

Keeping the heat at bay with plenty of iced tea, fans, and a shady tent, the ladies were able to enjoy the setting, the food and the company.  The event offered a little bit of relaxation and 'girl-time' before the big day and was one more happy bridal memory for all who attended.

(The Co-Hosts)