Always the bride and never the bridesmaid, am I right ladies? Or is it the other way around? For me, I’ve never been in anyone’s wedding but mine and my mother’s…so at 40 something, here I am a bridesmaid for the first (and probably only) time! For the bride’s shower, I was tasked with favors and the mimosa bar. Here’s how I put together the mimosa bar for the shower’s Sunday brunch.
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I was only asked to take care of sparkling wine and juice, which is really all you need for a proper mimosa. For 25(ish) guests, I bought 2 cases of Freixenet Cava, specifically in Brut (dry), which was the same sparkling wine I served at my wedding reception. My plans were to take home any undrunk wine, and since I like that wine so much, I was okay over-buying. I also picked up 4 large jugs of lemonade for the ladies who would not be drinking wine. I also bought fruit (berries, orange) and herbs (mint, basil) for serve yourself garnishes.
And because I am me (and I love having people over), I bought a few items to make the mimosa bar more bar-like. For the cranberry and orange juices, I purchased a 4-pack of half carafes (Anchor Hocking 0.5 Liter Glass Wine Carafe, Set of 4). These will absolutely be used at my house. I also bought the cutest laser engraved wooden “orange”, “cranberry”, and “lemonade” tags from MidnightConfetti on Etsy. I also had about 3 dozen champagne flutes from my wedding that needed a new home, so I bought a set of Wine Glass Writer pens (Wine Glass Writers, Silver/Gold/Emerald) for guests to claim with their name and take home. Any unclaimed glasses were donated to the caterers.
And because I’m still me, and I can’t leave well enough alone, I also bought a neutral felt board with letters (Rustic Wood Frame Gray Felt Letter Board 10×10″, White & Gold Letters, with Stand) so I could write a cute and instructional message for the guests.
The lemonade dispenser was an old clearance find at a home store, and I love it so much. I’ve used it throughout the years for small and large parties. I found a similar one, with a much nicer stand, on Amazon (Elegant Hammered Glass Beverage Dispenser with Scroll Iron Stand, 2.25 Gallon).
Here’s a tip: slice and freeze a dozen small lemons in a gallon freezer bag with ice, and the lemonade stays cold during the party!
Setting up for the party was great, because I didn’t have to do anything! The caterers, the ladies from Poppin Parties decorated the venue and set up the mimosa bar with a great flow: glasses here, wine and juices there, and garnishes down the way. The did a lovely job!
[Found on Etsy from BashandVibe: laser engraved wooden Mimosa Bar sign]
I thank the bride with big inappropriate hugs for asking this old lady to be a bridesmaid in her wedding. As if she needs me to make her look more beautiful than she already is. Love you, Jaime!
For more party planning:
Wedding/Shower Favors: Lavender Soaps
Mimosa Bar: Easy Like Sunday Brunch
A Chic Wedding that Didn’t Cost a Gazillion
A Chic Wedding that Didn’t Cost a Gazillion (Part 2)
Wedding Things and Stuff for Other People
Flower Crowns: Not Just for Hippies and Hipsters (DIY)
Champagne Jell-O Shots: Sidecar Cocktail
Champagne Jell-O Shots: Pomegranate Moscato Spumante
Party like It’s 1919: Gatsby Style
The Kentucky Derby for us Plebeians
Afternoon Tea Society, Houston Edition