Carmen Marc Valvo Illusion-Top Beaded Dance Dress
$725.00 by Carmen Marc Valvo at Neiman Marcus

Photo Credits: Cherry Cupcake Photos, Cherry Apron, Center Cherry Image, Cherry Beverages, Martha Stewart Red/White Table Scape

When planning a Bridal Shower, I recommend choosing a color palette or subtle theme to carry throughout your invitations, to your party decor and refreshments (this is the key to throwing ANY memorable party)! This will keep you focused and have your guests leaving your event having a memorable time. For this color palette and inspiration board, Red Cherries are the main focus.

Invitations: Choosing elements with a vintage style incorporating a cherry design will give your guests a sneak peak to your shower! I was so inspired myself when creating this inspiration board, i decided to create a Bridal Shower Invitation set just for you Brides to bring this inspiration to life :) If you decide to go with a different invitation design, you can always do something simple with red and white colors as well. Download our DIY Printable Invitation and  Download our Free Cherry Thank You Cards Here!

Party Decor: When going with cherry decor, you have many versitile options for decor... Red and White, Red/White/Green, Red with Black and white polka dots, Red/White/Tan, Red/White/Green/Yellow, or All Red. Choosing bold Centerpieces that match your theme as the focal point for your special event will be what your guests should be "Oooing" and "AHhing" at most. Stick with either all round plates in one color, all round with a few mixed colors, or go all square in one color such as white. Using a mixed variety of napkins is always a fun idea (but make sure you stick with your colors and the theme). If you decide to go with a bold printed linen, I recommend going with more subtle decor for tabletop and choosing solid color for the napkins so you don't overdue it. Placecards with each guests name and a one line story of how the bride knows them or how they are related is a nice touch (i.e. "Liz Shopshire - Cousin of The Bride"). Download our Printable Place Cards Here

Games: One of my favorite games for Bridal Showers is doing a simple Fill In The Blank BINGO (I should probably mention that I am not a fan of cheesy shower games, such as dumping your purse contents out on the table!)... Each guests gets a bingo card and a pen, guests then fill in the blank bingo tiles with gifts they think the Bride will open, as the Bride opens her gifts the guests cross off the matching gift that is opened, the first one to get BINGO wins! Download our BINGO Template Here

Gifts: Whoever is hosting the party should have a table designated for gifts, here is our DIY Printable Gift Table Template we made to place on your gift table (this way your guests know where to place the gifts and you don't have to stand there to instruct your guests). A fun idea is for the host and the Bridal party to wrap their gifts for the bride in cherry wrapping paper - what better way to be more personalized for a cherry shower!

Favors: Sending your guests off with a sweet Thank You, is always a proper gesture. I just love the idea of Cherry Jam, topped with a pretty red bow and "Thank You" Tag. Be sure to download Download Our Custom Cherry Favor Tags, print, cut, and share at your shower! Also, we have created Free Printable Beverage Tags (made to fit around the stem of wine or champagne glasses, and can also be used for drinks with straws (print, cut, hole-punch, and write guest's names on beverage name tags so you don't mix up whose drink is whose)! Download our Beverage Name Tag Template Here

Food: Check out these fantastic recipe's below that sure will make your Bridal Shower flow just right... For example,  you don't have to be completely literall in using just cherries, but you can also include cherry tomatoes in your appetizers and fresh salads. For Summertime Showers, you will want to keep your guests refreshed with cool drinks (always have lots of ice ready), and keep the foods fresh, light, but not too light (you don't want your guests to leave your party feeling like they need to stop and jack in the box!). Remember, have fun with it and enjoy the Cherry On Top~ Download our Cake/Sweets Table Template Here

Avacado Pesto-Stuffed Tomatoes
Recipe Credit: Better Homes and Gardens 2010
Prep Time: 40 minutes
Serves: 30

Ingredients:
30 cherry tomatoes (about 1-1/4 pints)
1/2 medium avocado, pitted, peeled, and cut up
2  oz. cream cheese, softened
2  Tbsp. homemade or purchased basil pesto
1  tsp. lemon juice
Snipped fresh basil (optional)

Directions:
1. Cut a thin slice from the top of each tomato. (If desired, cut a thin slice from bottoms of tomatoes so they stand upright.) With a small spoon or small lemon baller carefully hollow out the tomatoes. Line a baking sheet with paper towels. Invert tomatoes on the towels. Let stand 30 minutes to drain.
2. Meanwhile, for filling, in a food processor bowl combine avocado, cream cheese, pesto, and lemon juice. Cover; process until smooth. Spoon filling into a pastry bag fitted with a large plain round or open star tip.
3. Place tomatoes, open sides up, on a serving platter. Pipe filling into the tomato cups. Serve immediately or cover loosely and refrigerate up to 4 hours before serving. Sprinkle with snipped basil before serving.

Cherry Baby Cakes Recipe
Recipe Credit: Better Homes and Gardens
Serves: About 30
Prep Time: 40 minutes
Bake Time: 12 minutes
Oven Temp: 350 degrees

Ingredients:
1-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup sugar
2  teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup milk
1/4 cup butter, softened
1  egg
1  teaspoon vanilla
2/3 cup cherry marmalade or cherry preserves, large pieces snipped if necessary
30  maraschino cherries with stems, drained
1  recipe Powdered Sugar Icing*

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degree F. Line thirty 1 3/4-inch muffin cups with miniature paper bake cups;* set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add milk, butter, egg, and vanilla. Beat on low speed until combined. Beat on medium speed for 1 minute. Spoon 1 scant teaspoon of batter into each muffin cup. Add 1/2 teaspoon of cherry marmalade and top with 1/2 teaspoon additional batter.
3. Bake cupcakes about 12 min or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool in pans on a wire rack for 5 min. Remove from pans; cool completely on wire rack.
4. Pat cherries dry with clean paper toweling. Frost each cupcake with about 1/2 teaspoon icing. Dip half of each cherry into remaining icing; place on top of baby cakes.

*Test Kitchen Tip:If you dont have 1 3/4-inch muffin cups, line sixteen 2 1/2-inch muffin cups with paper bake cups. Prepare batter as directed. Spoon 1 tablespoon batter into each prepared muffin cup. Add 1 teaspoon of marmalade and another tablespoon of batter. (You will only use about 1/3 cup marmalade.) Bake about 15 minutes or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Frost with Powdered Sugar Icing. Add a cherry as directed above. (You will only need 16 cherries.)

*Powdered Sugar Icing: In a small bowl combine 2 1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and 2 tablespoons milk. Stir in additional milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, until icing reaches drizzling consistency.

Beach Paradise Cherry Cocktail
Recipe Credit: Semi-Homemade Cooking with Sandra Lee
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Yields: 1 drink

Ingredients:
•    1 part dark rum
•    1 part guava juice
•    1/2 lime, juiced
•    1/2 orange, juiced
•    1 teaspoon sugar
•    Dash grenadine
•    Slice mango
•    Maraschino cherry

Directions:
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, add ingredients and shake well. Pour into a highball glass and garnish with a maraschino cherry.

For all of you who watch the Oscar's last night and were drooling over some of the Red Carpet's hottest gowns, and for those of you who missed out; here are some of the night's memorable fashions that have Look-A-Like's in the Bridal world... Some of the top Bridal Fashion Designers have also made gowns specifically for the red carpet (does the name Oscar De la Renta ring a bell?) and guess what, they also make some show stopping pieces that would really be a hit for your Big Day!!

Photo Inspiration:
photo credit: Laura Moss

Sweet Recipe Inspirations:

Strawberry Cream-Filled Sandwich Cookies
Source: Curtosy of Country Living
Photo By: Alexandra Grablewski
Yields: 18 Cookies
Total Time: 1hr 20min (20min prep time)

Ingredients:
•    1 cup(s) thawed frozen strawberries
•    2 cup(s) confectioners' sugar, divided
•    1 teaspoon(s) lemon juice
•    2 ounce(s) cream cheese, softened
•    1 tablespoon(s) unsalted butter, softened
•    36  shortbread rounds

Directions:
1.) Puree strawberries in blender. In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, whisk pureed strawberries, 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar, and lemon juice until thickened and reduced by half, about 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
2.) In medium bowl, combine cream cheese & butter. Stir in remaining confectioners sugar. Stir in strawberry mixture, cover with plastic wrap, and chill for 1 hr.
3.) Place 1 scant tablespoon strawberry cream each on 18 shortbread rounds. Top each with another round. Chill until ready to serve.

Pretty In Pink Strawberry Cupcakes
Recipe By: Quick and Simple
Photo By: Erik Rank
Yields: 22 to 24 cupcakes
Total Time: 2hr (prep time: 15min, cook time: 25min)
Oven Temp: 350

Ingredients:
•    1 package(s) (18 1/4-oz.) cake mix, plain white or yellow
•    1 package(s) (3-oz.) strawberry gelatin
•    1 cup(s) (finely chopped fresh) strawberries, with juice (from 1 1/2 cups whole berries)
•    3/4 cup(s) milk
•    3/4 cup(s) vegetable oil
•    4 large eggs

Frosting Recipe:
•    1 package(s) (8-oz.) cream cheese, reduced-fat, at room temperature
•    4 tablespoon(s) (1/2 stick) butter, unsalted, at room temperature
•    3 cup(s) (up to 3 1/2 cups) confectioners’ sugar, sifted
•    1/2 cup(s) (fresh ) strawberries, mashed and drained (3/4 cup hulled berries)
•    sprinkles, pink and white, for garnish (optional)
•    24 slice(s) strawberry, for garnish (optional)

Directions:
1. Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line 24 cupcake cups with paper liners.
2. Combine the cake mix, gelatin, strawberries and juice, milk, oil and eggs in a large mixing bowl. Blend with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds. Stop the machine and scrape down the sides of the bowl. Increase mixer speed to medium and beat 2 minutes more, scraping down sides again if needed. Spoon about 1/3 cup batter into each lined cupcake cup, filling it 3/4 full. (You will get between 22 and 24 cupcakes; remove empty liners, if any.) Place pans side by side in the oven.
3. Bake until cupcakes are lightly golden and spring back when pressed gently with a finger, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from oven, place pans on wire racks to cool for 5 minutes, then remove cupcakes to wire racks to cool for another 15 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, prepare frosting: Blend cream cheese and butter in large mixing bowl with electric mixer on low speed until combined, 30 seconds. Stop mixer and add 3 cups confectioners’ sugar and the mashed strawberries. Mix on low speed until incorporated, 1 minute. Increase speed to medium and blend until frosting is fluffy, 30 to 45 seconds longer, adding up to 1/2 cup more sugar if needed to get a spreadable consistency.
5. Place a heaping tablespoon of frosting on each cupcake and swirl to spread it out with back of spoon. Refrigerate, uncovered, until frosting sets, 20 minutes. Decorate with sprinkles and strawberry slices, if desired.

Style Inspiration:

So® floral hair clip/pin $10.00$6.00 at Kohl's
Add instant glamour to your ensemble with this hair clip/pin.

Eliza J Beaded Sheath Dress
$118.00 by Eliza J at Nordstrom

image credit: tastefully entertaining

I just adore this Deep Colored Inspiration Board... It brings such a warm and romantic feel to any wedding design! Incorporating deep bold colors with chic lighting adds quite an affect; especially when it comes to making an impact on Wedding Photos. Incorporating a subtle pattern in the same color scheme helps make the wedding flow from invitations, to programs, in the wedding party's attire (for grooms and groomsmen in ties and such), to the day of ceremony and reception decor. All I can say is "Wow, I am INSPIRED"!!!