Lumberjack Baby Shower
For an Alaskan baby who is going to grow up surrounded by mountains and adventure, I could think of no better Baby Shower theme than Lumberjack! (Plus, there is something so ridiculously cute about the idea of a baby decked out in red and black buffalo check plaid!) My Mom and sister, Laura, helped put on the most adorable shower, and I felt truly honored. Here are some pictures of the little touches that helped make the day a Lumberjack wonderland.
First, it helps to know really talented people. Kathy, from Three Little Birds Home Bakery, made this AMAZING cake that truly was the centerpiece of the whole shower. It was so convincing and realistic! (And not to mention DELICIOUS!) The "log" was made up of chocolate and red velvet cake, buttercream frosting, chocolate ganache tree trunk, and fondant/modeling chocolate axe. When you cut into it, it was the perfect red and black plaid!
Guests were also treated to a Trail Mix Bar. Some of the mix-ins included chocolate covered espresso beans, pub mix, yogurt and chocolate covered pretzels, dried cherries and blueberries, pistachios. Arranging the table with old apple boxes, cast iron skillets, and pinecones brought the whole table together.
Buffalo Plaid Jacket: Columbia
Alaska Plaid Onesie: The Plaid Apple Shop on Etsy
Stripe onesie and vest: Carter's
Our baby wasn't the only one getting pampering and attention at the shower. My Mom and sister held a Mother Blessing for me and asked each guest to bring a bead for me, which symbolized motherhood to them and their support/love/energy. My Aunt is currently stringing the beads together as a bracelet I can wear during labor. I love the idea of calling on the positive energy and support from the amazing women in my life.
Guests also took birch candle holders home for a phone tree once my labor starts. They are asked to light the candle and send prayers and intentions my way. I absolutely love this.
As for the Lumberjack menu, we had:
- BBQ Chicken Sliders
- Yam Fries & Jalapeno Aioli from Jack Sprat
- Three Bean Salad
- Spinach Salad with Blueberries, Goat Cheese, Slivered Almonds, and Three-Seed Dressing
- Fruit and Cheese Tray
- Chocolate-dipped pretzel rods (made to look like trees!)
- Vanilla Cupcakes
- And of course, the Lumberjack cake!
These next two pictures weren't part of our decorations plan, but it was amazing to see all of the thoughtful (and many Lumberjack themed!) gifts for the baby.
My talented friend, Christina, is quite the seamstress and whipped up amazing burp cloths for the baby. They are made out of the softest flannel with the cutest patterns including lumberjack beavers, a variety of cute thermoses, buffalo check, and a tree pattern. I'm sure we will get a ton of use out of them!
And of course what does every Alaskan baby need? XTRATUFS!!! My friend, Carly, got our Baby Boy his first pair of Xtratufs and Carhartts. He's going to be one styling little dude!
Other elements I would suggest if you're throwing a Lumberjack themed party:
- Red & Black Buffalo check napkins. We found ours on Amazon.
- Bamboo Plates. These were awesome because they had a woodgrain to them! Also an Amazon find.
- Mason Jars. Easy and rustic for drinking glasses and trail mix containers.
- Wooden rounds for serving trays.
- And of course, amazing people to attend!
Lindsey & Nick's Crow Creek Wedding
Lindsey and Nick’s wedding was such a wonderful way to end my summer wedding season. Even though it was raining, the mountain fog made for beautiful photos and this couple wasn’t going to let anything ruin their party! I have to say, there were so many things I loved about this wedding. Besides the fact that Lindsey and Nick are an amazing couple, they also had the most gorgeous display of cupcakes, an adorable gaggle of flower girls who stole the show, and a stunning Bollywood dance performed by the bride’s cousin. It’s little touches like this— and a couple who knows how to throw a good party—that make weddings like this my favorite.
The bride's sister made all of these little clay pots for the wedding favors, and they were filled with Lindsey's all-time favorite candy: jelly beans.
I was told this was a tradition for the Middendorf family, adorably called a "Totem-dorf."
All of the photos from the day of Nick with his nephew and nieces are enough to make your heart melt!
The cutest group of Flower Girls I've ever seen!
I love capturing toasts, as well as the reactions to them.
Can we agree that every wedding should have a Bollywood dance performance?
Venue: Crow Creek Mine in Girdwood, AK
Bride’s Dress: WToo from Fabulous Frocks Anchorage
Groom’s Suit: Indochino
Cupcakes: Betty Dye, family friend
Caterer: Master’s Catering
Florist: Debbie Jaso, family friend
Makeup/Hair: Amber Molen