A request from an anonymous reader:
My best friend asked me to be her MOH & I have run into a problem when planning her bridal shower, I want most of the details to be a surprise, but she mentioned in passing that her grandma has always wanted to have her bridal shower at her home. I had another location in mind, but am more than willing to switch, the problem is that her yard (she wants an outdoor shower) has no trees or flowers or fences or anything & i have no idea how to decorate an empty space like this, please help!!
First off, good for you for listening and being willing to adjust your plans! That’s a good MOH right there. Now, to your decorating dilemma – I’ve done many events in big open spaces and there are plenty of ways to pretty them up. These are my cost-effective ideas to dress an empty space.
Bistro lights! They look great for daytime events too and having something overhead can make a backyard feel more intimate. If there’s absolutely nothing to hang them from – eaves, sheds, anything – I’ve gone to Home Depot and bought 8ft tall, sturdy green stakes and driven them into the ground to use as posts. Wrap cords around the stakes and split the top to stabilize the light strands. Criss cross or drape over the event space for a lovely effect.
Tall decor! Tall centerpieces create a sense of height and drama, and make a big impact interspersed with lower ones on long tables or every other table on round tables. Big bunches of baby’s breath are inexpensive and make for a lovely and fun centerpiece! Use tiered platters for desserts and finger foods, pillar candlesticks, or cylinders of floating candles to draw the eye upwards.
Jazzy tables! Bright colors, mixed prints, and abundant flowers make your tables feel full, but I recommend you use them sparingly so nothing feels too busy. Rent a printed linen, scatter clusters of flowers, and have fun place settings to let your tables be the focus of the event.
Shepherd’s hooks! Not just for aisle decor – get permission from the grandmother of the bride before stabbing anything into her backyard, of course, but shepherd’s hooks or other stand alone decor items can help dress up a bare corner or empty patch of lawn. Hang kissing balls, tissue poms, or jars of flowers to extend the decor off the tables.
