Centerpieces of classic books, teacups overflowing with flowers, and "painting the roses red" bouquets set the tone for the Shah's Alice in Wonderland inspired baby shower. An archway of lush greenery with vibrant flowers welcomed guests to go "down the rabbit hole." Lauren Marie Atkinson Designs really knocked it out of the park!
After ceremonial traditions, dances and speeches, lunch was served. Guests enjoyed fun Asian fusion stations with sushi, spring rolls, lettuce wraps, dumplings, red curry, rice, and more.
Congratulations to mom and father-to-be, Shamini and Mikul! A wonderful conclusion to their weekend in Nashville celebrating their baby girl.
Where did you get your inspiration and how did you bring it to life?
We currently live in Scottsdale, Arizona, but my husband’s family lives in Tennessee. We wanted to do something different than the other baby showers in the family and to show the out of town guests Nashville.
I have always been a fan of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland and was excited to do a themed party. I am someone who is very detailed oriented, and I knew exactly what I wanted. When I sent the description and pictures to Brittany, she brought it to life in an inspiration board that was more than I could have hoped for and within the budget.
What were some of the highlights of your day?
I loved the table decorations and the entrance way. That wowed me and was perfect for an afternoon event.
I and my guests thoroughly enjoyed the photo booth, especially since it was self-managed and can be texted/emailed immediately to you. It was in the perfect location...so no one missed out on fun pictures and backgrounds of their choosing.
Also, the food was delicious. We were concerned about not being able to use outside catering, but we found there was no reason to when you have such a delicious selection. We are vegetarian and some of our guests have strict requirements on taste and they were able to cater to all of our needs. I was completely impressed by the service of the staff in making sure all the food stations were full.
How did you choose your venue?
We looked at about 30 venues in Nashville, and we were looking for something unique that kept with the theme. We also wanted something that represented or showed off the South.
It was a difficult feat, because we were looking at venues online with no idea how it was in person. When we had it narrowed down to 5, none of which were The Bridge Building, my cousin flew down to check out venues.
After rejecting all 5 choices for different reasons, she told me she was going to this venue to see how it looked. She did not go inside, but was able to take pictures and videos and we loved it.
It catered to all our specific needs and the event planner made things 1000 times easier. I’m someone who micro manages, and it was a delight to not have to worry.
What was your experience like planning the shower?
Not being from Nashville and wanting to show family and friends who flew in from different parts of the world, I was very impressed by the people who helped me plan the actual shower.
I believe we showed off Nashville at its finest and had amazing food and drinks. We did a tasting with the chef that put us more at ease and they were able to work with us for all our needs.
Do you have any tips for others planning an event?
Trust the planner. We dissected the bill, questioned everything and in the end, everything that was suggested by the staff was an excellent choice and what we needed.
If you get to caught up in the minutia, it can ruin the reason you are having this event, to have fun! Let the experts do what they do best so that way you can enjoy your event!
EVENT DETAILS
Date: April 16, 2017
Event: Shamini + Mikul's Baby Shower
Location: The Bridge Building
Guest Count: 100
Photographer: Christopher Williams
Florist: Lauren Marie Atkinson Designs
Catering: The Bridge Building
Planning: Brittany O. | IH
