Lumberjack and Jill Wedding Shower

Last weekend, Gary and I had the privilege to host my brother and future sister-in-law's couples wedding shower.  I loved the idea of a Jack and Jill themed shower, and saw an adorable inspiration board for a Lumberjack and Jill party over at party planning extraordinaire Erin's, blog Bringing Up Burns.  Why lumberjack?  Why not lumberjack?

First, I got started on the invitations.  They were pretty straightforward, I just printed out the deets on card stock, sewed onto burlap that was slightly bigger, and tied with a piece of gingham.

The majority of my time was spent planning the dessert table, because I really love sugar.  I started by thinking of manly things, then lumberjack-y things, then outdoorsy things. The list I came up with was bacon, maple syrup (lumberjacks eat pancakes right?!), and smores. For the decor, I used tree stumps as cake plates, sunflowers, rosemary, and dessert tags on burlap that were similar to the invitations.  The backdrop was an old sheet on a dowel rod, the biggest embroidery hoop Joann's carries, with burlap and a gingham monogram of the new couple's last initial.

I saw a recipe of chocolate chip and candied bacon cookies.  I was intrigued.  Bacon?  Bacon makes nearly everything better, who doesn't like bacon?  Salty... plus sweet.  I totally get it.  I gave it a try.  Wow, really really tasty.  I kind of felt an artery burst though.

I found a recipe for maple cupcakes with maple butter frosting.  The author claimed they were the best.  Let me preface this next part with:  I hate maple flavor.  Abhor it.  I was really just making them because 1)  I love cupcakes, 2)  I knew they would look great on the dessert table, and 3)  They went with the theme. Oh.  My.  Word.  They were so delicious!  I can't even tell you how tasty they turned out to be with just a hint of maple flavor.  Like real maple flavor.  I guess now I know why real maple syrup is so expensive. It is goooooood.

Lastly, we had smores on a stick.  All the beauty of the cakepop, an eighth of the work.  So easy, my kids helped make them.  I just bought lollipop sticks, jabbed on a marshmallow, dipped in chocolate, rolled in crushed graham crackers.  Easily the big seller of the dessert table.

Sadly, I didn't get a picture of the food table.  We had subs and fixin's, chips, nothing too original.  Drinks were glass bottles of root beer, cream soda, and black cherry soda.  For the decor, I used lots of old family quilts, more burlap and flannel, and some galvanized steel tubs I got from Lowes.

 For the rest of the decor, I used old sheets as table clothes, lots of burlap, plaid flannel, gingham, and a bit of denim.  I filled mason jars tied with twine, denim, and some chalkboard hearts with "M + A" with sunflowers and waxflowers.

I really don't know too many men who love shower games, and I myself am not a fan of cheesy games that are played at every other shower you ever get invited too.  I racked my brain for weeks trying to think of something original that fit the theme.  Ever the procrastinator, it was a few days before when playing with The Crazies, it hit me.  Lincoln Logs.  Each team was given a bag with the same pieces to construct Michael and Alycia's dream home.  The teams could be as creative as they want.  They were sooooo good!  The winning team, full of my brother's high school friends constructed a home with a four car garage, infinity edge pool, helipad, and even a big screen tv that was playing a football game (gotta love the creativity using the iphone!).  They won a six five pack of Moose Drool Beer.

I love photo booths, so we created a little photo area for guests to get the pictures taken before they left.  We supplied the props, flannel shirts, trucker hat, axes, and my favorite... mustaches on a stick.

It was a really fun time and mostly, I was just happy to do something I love to shower my baby brother with love.  Can't wait for the real BIG event in three weeks!