Michella Tomocik’s mother has always had an eye for elegance, timeless beauty, and fine details. So she and Michella’s sister teamed up with a Southern California event planner to design her wedding shower once Michella became engaged to Alejandro Gaspar. Keeping the bride’s personality in mind, they selected a classic feminine aesthetic at a location that held a special significance – her childhood home. “It was nice that the same place where so many hide-and-seek games were played and thousands of softballs were thrown happened to be where my dear family and friends were celebrating my future marriage,” shares Michella.

A week before Michella’s summer nuptials, 25 loved ones gathered for a whimsical alfresco luncheon. White sheer fabric created a breezy canopy on the verdant backyard surrounded by fruit trees, grapevines, and blackberry bushes. Delicate lacy parasols – echoing the motif that embellished lavender invitations – were suspended along the center of the ceiling. “I gasped with delight when I first saw it,” admits the bride. “As I moved closer, it was like stepping unto a page of a magazine.”

Guests took their seats at a long table draped with an ivory embossed tablecloth. Such a creamy canvas highlighted the lush runner featuring blooms in a palette of pink, purple, and ivory hues nestled in greenery. Complementing menus, place cards, and favor tags were adorned with a watercolor floral design. Vanilla chargers with scalloped rims and elegant gilded flatware expressed Michella’s affinity for vintage elements. Silk or lace bands, along with papery proteas, accented lilac napkins. Wedding favors of frosted cookies in the form of parasols were set next to all place settings. “The favors were darling and were such a nice added touch!” extols the bride.

The meal began with three types of salads served in canning jars: pear and pecan, chicken Caesar, and spinach and bacon. Petite sandwiches allowed friends and family to sample among the options of turkey, Brie, and cranberry on ciabatta bread; ham and cheese as well as tuna salad on croissants; and egg salad on brioche buns. Fresh strawberry shortcakes awaited for dessert. “Everything was absolutely delicious and I received many compliments on the menu,” declares the bride.

The afternoon was filled with entertaining diversions including a “How Well Do You Know Michella?” questionnaire and the bride’s favorite – the “Bridal Marshmallow” game where guests took turns trying to say wedding-related words while putting marshmallows in their mouths. “I was practically rolling on the floor with laughter at all the ladies who looked like chipmunks, mouths stuffed with marshmallows, trying to say words like ‘ceremony’ and ‘groom,’” she recalls.

The occasion was very meaningful for Michella. “The whole day I felt so honored and fortunate to be surrounded by loved ones at such a special and beautiful event,” she muses.