Bridal Shower Inspiration Week: Chicago Bridal Shower by Sarah Drake Design + Pistil & Vine

If you are anything like us, you've been soaking up and filing away all the steal-worthy ideas from this week's Bridal Shower Inspiration Week thanks to the lovelies at Macy's. From fashion finds to registry must haves, it's been like a fabulous course in Swoon-Worthy Shopping 101. And today's lesson is creating a bridal shower that is stop-in-your-tracks glamourous, and it goes without saying it's a lesson worth learning...

First let's take a look at a bridal shower that achieved this very type of glamour. A fête that makes you feel fancy just by looking at all the lovely images by Julia Franzosa Photography. With invitations that set the tone of chic Chicago elegance by Sarah Drake Design and jaw-droppingly gorgeous florals by Pistil & Vine - it's a lesson in lovely that you'll want to study up in the full gallery of images!

Click here for the FULL bridal shower!

Now we couldn't show you all that pretty inspiration and not give you a few ideas on how to bring in all that glamour to life at the next shower you host. Take notes lovelies, because these are must haves for your next fabulous fête!

1. Vera Wang Golden Grosgrain 5-Piece Place Setting 2.Leeber Candle Holder Sparkle Tealight 3. Lighting by Design Candle Holders 4. Excell Napkin Rings 5. The Cellar Cake Stand with Mini Dome 6. 7. kate spade new york Vase, Hydrangea Collection 8. Vera Wang Ice Bucket

From Megan of Pistil & Vine... French Regency meets Urban Elegance at this downtown Chicago boutique hotel, a venue known for its rich, modern decor, exceptional service and amazing Gold Coast location. We created focused variations of height and texture with three high arrangements of soft celadon hydrangeas, blush sweet pea, French tulips, peonies, delicate dusty miller, ranunculus and our favorite English-grown garden rose, appropriately named Juliet. The negative space between these towering displays featured mirrored panel boxes, extending over four feet in length upon the table top, mimicking the elevated floral arrangements subtle watercolor-esque tones and floral selection.

This pastel palette was inspired by the Parisian open-air flower markets and was highlighted by soft pink champagne linens gracefully muted by a crisp hand-tailored hemstitch runner anchoring the center of the overall composition. Silver mercury accented candlesticks boasted flickering candlelight within various height hurricanes, radiating from each display. These details accent the already-beautiful Hemingway Salon, an intimate setting that boasts fabric-covered charcoal grey walls, antiqued mirrors and two opulent chandeliers. The decadent sweet table was detailed with a three-foot tower of pastel macarons, alluding to a window display at the famous Ladurée in Versailles. The little delights were subtly infused with rose essence, fresh apple and pistachio, and were created by esteemed pastry chef Andrew Johnson. House-made butterscotch pots de crème and pickup sweets completed this afternoon of perfection.



Photography: Julia Franzosa Photography / Venue: The Waldorf Astoria Chicago in Chicago, Illinois (Formerly The Elysian Hotel) / Floral + Event Design: Pistil & Vine / Invitations + Menus: Sarah Drake Design / Catering + Sweets Table: The Waldorf Astoria Chicago / Linens: BBJ Linen / Calligraphy: Stacey Shapiro