Today Dishing: Wedding Shower

We  are well into shower season for spring and summer weddings. Last weekend marked the beginning of our season of celebrations for my daughter's June wedding.

Last Saturday my daughter's aunts hosted a bridal shower in her honor at Ottimo restaurant in Orland Park.

This invitation is actually a picture of my daughter at age 5 wearing her sister's communion veil.

Ottimo's dining room was transformed into a lush spring garden room.

Table runners made by my sisters established the base for the tablescapes. Over-sized hot pink and lime green placemats added a pop of color on top of the black and white patterned runners.

Because my daughter has a fetish for  coffee mugs, it seemed fitting to give initialed mugs as the guest favors. And what better than filling the mugs with flower arrangements to create the floral centerpieces.

These sugar cookies, made by my sister, display an edible picture of the soon -to-be bride and groom taken on their engagement day. The "picture cookies" top off each individual place setting.

Additional pictures of the couple were enlarged and adorned the sweets table which consisted of: Olive Oil Cake with basil sauce, Plain Cheesecake, Heathbar Cheesecake, Tart au Chocolat, an assortment of mini pastries, vanilla, almond and anise biscotti's, mixed berries, chocolate covered strawberries, homemade chocolate chip cookies and assorted bakery butter cookies.

The menu, served as separate courses,consisting of Ottimo Pizza, Meatballs, Caesar Salad, Rigatoni Pomodoro and Chicken Valdastono delighted the guests.

This shower was given with love which was evident in every detail from the hand sewn table runners to the homemade desserts to the aunts and cousin gathered together to make the floral arrangements. The guests too showered this bride not only with generous gifts but with the generosity of their time and love.

Me thinks a blessed and lucky girl, my daughter, is she.