This bridal shower is inspired by the butterfly and the study of butterflies over the centuries. I've always loved the gorgeous vintage hand drawings of the 18th century and the butterfly displays in the natural history museum. They capture the beauty of the butterfly in addition to the stunning array of colors.
Not only are butterflies beautiful, but across many cultures, they represent elegance, transition, and celebration. These meanings are perfect for your upcoming bridal shower. The butterfly also has a whimsical quality that makes for both a delicate and sophisticated theme. With plenty of botanical and butterfly-filled glass terrariums and marble, silver and scientific accents, your guest of honor will "fall in love" with this gorgeous butterfly inspired palette and theme.
The Tables: I decided not to use tablecloths for this shower, instead, I used the natural wood of the tables as the backdrop to the table settings. To further capture natural elements, I used 2 pieces of DIY Large Basswood Plank with Bark to create each table runner. I then used vintage butterfly illustrations I downloaded from Etsy and placed them on top of the bark with a layer of Mod Podge over top to seal them in place.
The Centerpieces: During fall, colors become more saturated and vibrant, the leaves turn and the flower markets are full of stunning jewel-toned flowers that perfectly represent the beauty of butterflies and vintage apothecaries. Deep purple, yellow, orange and red dahlias, yellow billy balls and raspberry colored globose. Not forgetting the abundance of pumpkins, Chinese lanterns and wild jasmine!
I wanted to create a centerpiece that captured the look and feel of glass pinned butterfly displays in conjunction with these florals. The chic, black edged Geometric Terrarium Candle Holders were perfect. I placed dahlias of different colors inside each and added Feather Butterflies on top of the petals.
Place Settings: Here I wanted the place settings to capture the delicate flutter of a butterfly's wings. The White Elegance Premium Plastic Dinner Plates have a beautiful scalloped edge design, similar to the movement of the wings. On top of these, I used a natural green plate I had at home.
Green Paper Dessert Plates will create the same look. I then topped these with a crochet fan that has been starched to stiffen it. I love how these look like the silken lines on butterfly wings. Finally, I attached a Feather Butterfly to each fan with a specimen tag created by Kim of Small Moments Design (available as a free download).
Beside each setting, I placed a set of Premium Silver Metallic Cutlery and a DIY Woodblock Print Butterfly Napkin created using the White Polyester Linen Napkin. Each napkin color ties in with the butterfly placed on the fan.
Finally, I added a Cylinder Champagne Flute to toast the bride and a Clear Stemless Plastic Wine Glass. These glasses are so elegant and modern without the hefty price tag. I placed a small jar of fresh fall flowers as a bright floral accent at each setting that also doubles as a take-home for each guest.
A Backdrop of Butterfly Specimens
I love the versatility of pegboard. It is a cost-effective and fun, modern way to create a butterfly display themed backdrop. I used pegboard hooks & Jute Cord to hang a range of terrarium globes. In the large Glass Terrariums with Rope, the Large Drop Shape Glass Hanging Globe and Medium Round Hanging Globes I placed dahlias to tie in with the table centerpieces.
In the Small Round Hanging Globes, I placed single Feather Butterflies. Each terrarium had a specimen tag to tie in with the museum research laboratory look and feel.
In the center of the backdrop is a sign designed by Kim of Small Moments. A beautiful pun that ties the love the bride & groom have for each other into the fluttering movement of a butterfly's wings (and happy stomachs!). This is framed in silver and hung on hooks and jute to tie in with the hanging globes.
The Dessert Lab
A natural, naked cake entwined with jasmine and Feather Butterflies in flight sits atop a silver stand and marble platter from my kitchen. I love the clinical lab feel this gives the dessert table. I used scientific beakers from Halloween as vases for the flowers and used feather butterflies as floral accents.
Pumpkins further tied the table back to the fall season. I just love using the DIY Decorative Pumpkin Set. I painted them vibrant colors to match the colors of the butterflies and gave them silver stems. I used the Feather Butterflies as accents again; these are such a cost-effective, big impact décor item for this bridal shower.
I used several other fun accents from around my home, a vintage set of scales, test tubes, Green Moss and dried cactus wood to complete the look.
Themed Details From Beginning to End
Incorporate the vintage-inspired butterfly theme throughout all areas of your bridal shower. Capture your guest's attention from the onset by incorporating mounted butterflies into your seating chart and matching table numbers (or colors in this instance).
This DIY Butterfly Seating Chart is simple & inexpensive to make, using the color of the butterflies as the means of identifying each table.
Lastly, let your guests take a piece of whimsy home. These DIY Butterfly Bridal Shower Favors literally capture the fluttering butterfly at the heart of the bridal shower for them to take home. I hope you enjoyed this Vintage Butterfly Inspired Bridal Shower with its vibrant and whimsical butterfly terrarium display as much as I did create it. Be sure to check out all the details for my DIY Woodblock Print Butterfly Napkins, DIY Butterfly Seating Chart & DIY Butterfly Bridal Shower Favors completing your butterfly bridal shower look.
Photography by: Lydia Johnston of Photography Hill
