If mama's craving BBQ, then what's better than a Backyard Baby-Q couple's shower?! Although this shower is hosted outdoors with a laid back vibe, no detail was left unturned. We decked out our table in blue and yellow gingham patterns with beautiful sunflower accents sprinkled here and there for a look that evokes a quintessential summer picnic. Be sure to download all the coordinating (free!) printables here to get started with the planning!
I love hosting a party outdoors because it provides a beautiful natural backdrop and allows for minimal decorating, save for a few key items placed here and there.
We set up a table and chairs just outside our backyard to take advantage of the beautiful view provided by our neighborhood pond.
We hung a simple dipped hanging created from thin and thicker natural cording topped with a Faux Sunflower Greenery Garland between two trees over our food serving table. It was all we needed to enhance the natural surroundings.
You can find the details to create your own dip-dyed hanging here.
A simple free printable "Baby-Q" banner was created by printing the pennants onto white cardstock and then stringing them with Blue Baker's Twine. It dressed up the front of our serving table nicely!
The Tablescape
We lined the center of our table with a blue and white checked table runner we had on hand, but you can create a similar look by folding a blue gingham tablecloth in half.
We placed a Rattan Natural Lantern with Handle embellished with a few sunflower blooms in the center of the table. It was the perfect complement to the mason jar vases filled with Sunflower Stems that sat on either side.
Everyone's favorite part of the shower décor was definitely the DIY Ceramic Piggy Banks that were gussied up with Blue Baker's Twine and Sunflower Boutonnieres!
White Mini Lanterns dotted the ends of the dining table and were also placed hroughout the area. They provided a lovely glow once the sun dipped beyond the horizon.
The Place Settings
Natural woven placemats we had on hand were placed under each plate to ground the place setting. Round Luau Fringe Placemats can be used to create a similar look.
Blue Gingham Paper Dinner Plates were layered atop Premium White Elegance Dinner Plates. The heavy plastic plates ensured extra stability when piling plates high with yummy food. Yellow Gingham Luncheon Napkins sat to the left of our plates and offered a resting place for Silvertone Hammered Forks that looked extra stylish with their handles painted blue. Plastic Pint Glasses wrapped with Blue Baker's Twine to hold paper straws sat to the right of each setting.
Place cards were created by printing guests' names onto white cardstock and then attaching them to Sunflower Boutonnieres. The mama-to-be received a special treat along with hers in the form of a pretty bundle of sunflower cookies from Missy P Sweets.
BBQ and More
A wooden serving table was erected between two smaller navy blue tables to hold all the delicious mouth-watering barbeque, fixin's and desserts.
The left side of the table held all the hearty downhome dishes.
Stylish food labels were printed onto white cardstock and helped guests easily navigate the buffet of offerings. You can download the free printables here.
Baby back ribs and brisket were served on a clear tray that was spray painted white. To ensure the tray remained food safe we lined it with several Yellow Gingham Luncheon Napkins. Light and fluffy rolls were tucked into a Galvanized Oval Bucket and were refilled as needed throughout the evening.
The right side of our table was reserved for all the sweets.
DIY Wood Crates and DIY Unfinished Wood Mini Crates were transformed into "grills" for our desserts to sit upon. White balloon sticks painted silver made perfect grill grates!
To fit with the theme, Missy P Sweets created adorable "grilled" food fondant cupcake toppers. They made for the cutest grilled food we ever did see! Check out the tutorial to create your own DIY Grill Food Servers here.
Mama's Saucy Cravings BBQ Sauce Tasting Station
When the mama-to-be has a specific craving, why not share and have a little fun with it by creating a tasting station? We dressed up the station by printing a free printable sign onto white cardstock then attached it to a yellow painted Chalkboard. A mason jar vase filled with Sunflower Stems and another of our whimsical Blue Baker's Twine wrapped DIY Ceramic Piggy Banks rounded out the décor nicely.
Various BBQ sauces, ranging from sweet and tangy to spicy and zesty, were added to Clear Condiment Bottles and were given a little pizazz with the help of yellow baker's twine and printable numbers. The bottles were neatly arranged in a Galvanized Metal Tray with Handles.
As guests tasted each of the sauces, they took notes and tried to guess which sauce was which. The voting cards were printed onto white cardstock and bundled together with pencils in a DIY Unfinished Wood Mini Crate that we painted yellow. You can find all the details to create your own Mama's Saucy Cravings BBQ Sauce Tasting Station, including the free printables, here.
Decorate A Piggy!
Whether you set up this fun station for guests to create and take home as a keepsake, or to make as little gifts for the new baby, providing a creative activity during your shower is an entertaining way to foster conversation among guests.
DIY Ceramic Piggy Banks were displayed on a DIY Large Wood Tray and sat next to a Galvanized Metal Pail filled with permanent and paint markers for guests to use for decorating. We attached a free printable "Decorate A Piggy For Baby" sign, found here, to a Black Chalkboard Table Frame as a delightful directive to guests. A Stained Wood Sign provided a sturdy tabletop for all our items when placed atop a small blue footstool.
Thank 'Que for Coming!
Thank 'que gifts were set up on the middle shelf of our cart that also held our sauce tasting station above and a Large Galvanized Pail filled with Sunflower Stems below.
Mini Mason Favor Jars were filled with the mama-to-be's fave BBQ sauce and tied with Blue Baker's Twine. The jars were then tucked into Mini Blue Kraft Paper Gift Bags, which had been dressed up with a strip of yellow gingham printed onto white cardstock, and sat next to our "Thank 'Que" sign that was affixed onto a Black Chalkboard Table Frame. Favor tags were first printed onto white cardstock and then tied onto the bags with yellow baker's twine. You can find the free printable Thank 'Que sign, along with the favor tags and yellow gingham strips here.
We hope you've been inspired to host your own Backyard Baby-Q Baby Shower for the saucy mama-to-be in your life! Don't forget to download the free Backyard Baby-Q Baby Shower Printables Pack here to get started and be sure to check out the steps to create your own DIY "Grill" Food Servers plus all the details to set up your own Mama's Saucy Cravings BBQ Sauce Tasting Station!
