Mindy's Surprise Bridal Shower

Partygoers 25-50

Invitation My sister, the avid scrap-booker that she is, created beautiful layered paper invitations that were the colors we had planned for the wedding- pink and brown.

Décor They had arranged to have a room in an Italian restaurant in Brooklyn reserved from 12-4. One large table was set for all the guests- about thirty ladies. There were pink and brown ballons set up everywhere, with a wishing well in the corner- of course.

Food The food was fantastic. My mom had been to this Italian restaurant before for a party and knew that their food was reallly great. We had a salad to start, followed by penne with vodka sauce. Then there was eggplant parmagian, veal picata, or a chicken dish- maybe marsala or francese. The cake was from a local Italian bakery and was excellent.

Drinks Since it was in the afternoon for both family and friends, we had coffee, tea, soda, and wine in karafes on the tables. Most people just drank the coffee, tea, and soda.

Other elements The "cloths pin" game was a hit. My mom had decorated tons of clothspins with ribbons, lace, and other wedding-related charms. Then as everyone arrived at the party, she clipped a cloths pin to the shirt of each guest and let them know that if someone said the word "wedding," they could take their pins. It gets kind of crazy. The person at the end with the most clothes pins won a prize.

More information My mother-in-law sent out customized blank recipe cards to all the guests in advance of the party and asked them to write down a favorite recipe. At the shower she gave me a recipe box with all of the cards inside. It was one of my favorite gifts.