As the sun heats up and summer kicks into high gear (Crop Over is already just around the corner), you can certainly expect to see lots of bright colours everywhere. Now, would be the perfect time to throw a retro, Tropical bridal shower with cheerful, punchy colours and fruit-filled refreshments.
Favors via Martha Stewart Weddings | Blood Orange, Key Lime and Kumquat Sorbet by Cannelle et Vanille | Invitation via Val Marie {Ryan Ray Photo} | ‘Citrus’ Cake by Nadia & Co. via Swooned | Cocktails via Project Wedding | Paper Pineapple by Marsha Golemac | Diane von Furstenberg Shift Dress via Nordstrom
Some Tips
When tackling a bright palette it’s always nice to pair it with a lovely neutral like white to keep things well balanced- so keep that in mind as you start planning your decor.
For loads of Tropical Cocktail ideas see here, here and here! I am so in love with the idea of using a Fresh Flower Drink Stirrer for this theme, grab the tutorial here. Another cute idea is this umbrella-shaped DIY Doily Cocktail Stirrer. Or you could simply garnish your drinks with some delicious fruit skewers!
An abundance of blooms is always nice for a tropical party. To make things bright and interesting (and budget savvy if you want to minimize or eliminate the need for floral centerpieces) – why not incorporate flowers into your backdrop- take a look at this DIY Fresh Flower Wall as well as this gorgeous DIY Flower Garden Wall Hanging for inspiration. If prefer to use paper flowers for your decor- there’s a great roundup of several tutorials on Curbly and The House That Lars Built.
On to the food! Caribbean Pot has lots of great recipes for West Indian dishes while Epicurious and Saveur include a host of dishes from our Latin American neighbours. If your party is Hawaii themed, you can find some great recipes here. A pretty fruit bar and some ice-cold treats are just perfect for dessert!
For music there’s nothing like the sweet sound of Steel Pan for a nice, relaxed mood. You could also do vintage calypso with some of early hits of the greats like Lord Kitchener, The Mighty Sparrow, Grynner, The Mighty Gabby etc. Or, if you’re feeling for some reggae, in my books, Bob Marley is the absolute king! For a Hawaiian bridal shower, luau party music will be your go-to.
If you have any other tips or ideas for this theme, feel free to add them in the comments below!
