A Backyard Bridal Shower Inspired by the Amalfi Coast

Lauren and Matthew met while in nursing school together, but it wasn’t until after they graduated that their friendship turned romantic. “We both worked night shifts as new grad nurses, so on our days off, we would go on dates to late-night pizza and sushi,” Lauren says. In August 2021, while she was in the middle of a graduate program and laser focused on her studies, the couple planned to attend a family birthday brunch. When Lauren tried to skip it to study, Matthew asked his mother to guilt trip her into attending. Little did she know that the birthday brunch was a ruse for an elaborate proposal. That morning, Matthew drove Lauren to brunch and claimed his family hadn’t arrived yet. “We heard music coming from nearby Falls Park, one of our favorite places to walk our dog,” Lauren says. “We walked down to our favorite place in the park, where you’re looking up at the waterfalls, and he proposed.”

Lauren knew she wanted to host her bridal shower at her mom’s home in Seneca, South Carolina, where she invited 30 of her closest loved ones to celebrate her engagement on April 16, 2023. Lauren envisioned transforming her mom’s backyard and deck into a scene straight off the Amalfi Coast. “My mother, sister, and I had visited years prior and it has always been one of my favorite places,” she says. “I loved tying in lots of colorful flowers and brought in Italian catering, as well.”

She worked with the Olive Branch by Honey and Thyme Events to pull off a unique take on an Italian Coast-inspired bridal shower, where guests brought their favorite recipe in lieu of cards to create a recipe book for the newlyweds. Read on to see all the photos from the day by Victoria Van Linge.

Lauren wore a white midi-length V Chapman dress with lace and ruffle details and a corset bodice, which she paired with Gianni Bini platform shoes. “I had been eyeing V Chapman dresses and trying to decide what wedding event I could wear one for,” Lauren says. “I got lucky to snag it before it sold out and I just knew the romantic ruffles and lace would complement the theme perfectly.”

Lauren’s new sister-in-law curled her hair and for her beauty look, the bride-to-be focused on bronzing her skin and adding a light gloss to her lips. “I did my own makeup that morning,” she says. “It is so therapeutic to just be able to focus and center yourself before a big event where you’ll be surrounded by so many people.”

A manicure with lemons and analog mosaic patterns (a fun nod to the Amalfi Coast) and a spritz of Miss Dior completed the look. “It’s a feminine and beautiful scent without being too overpowering or sweet,” she says of the fragrance.

Guests gathered at Lauren’s mom’s to celebrate the bride-to-be. “My mother’s backyard is like an oasis, and she has a big, beautiful deck that we transformed into an Amalfi Coast-inspired dream,” Lauren says. They created photo backdrops on the deck that featured mosaic tiles, vibrant orange and white florals in white vases, citrus fruits, and a sign that read La Dolce Vita.

Lauren served Aperol and Limoncello spritzes as her signature cocktails; guests used mosaic tiles as coasters. A mosaic tiled cart also held a cooler of limoncello for guests to take home as favors.

Guests mingled around the pool and enjoyed the bride’s favorite Italian foods. “We served Italian dishes, including chicken parmigiana, which is one of my favorite meals that I grew up helping my mom make,” Lauren says. She asked guests to bring their favorite recipes, in lieu of cards, so she could build a set of her own culinary go-tos.

Lauren’s mom worked with her planners to pull off the décor details of the event, allowing Lauren to be surprised on the day. “Matthew and I love to travel,” Lauren says. “We love food and exploring a culture through food so it was awesome to use a destination as inspiration for our event.”

Guests gathered at a long table topped with a striped tablecloth; colorful floral centerpieces ran the length of the table, with fresh fruit, tea candles, and taper candles placed throughout. Blue goblet glasses were arranged on mosaic tile coasters and white stoneware plates were paired with bold napkins in a tangerine shade.

The bride-to-be served a petite cake from Cardamom Bakeshop topped with fresh berries, sliced lemons, and flowers.

Lauren’s mom, dressed in an on-theme lemon-print dress, served as the day’s host. “My mother really put together such a special day. I so appreciate her for everything she’s done,” Lauren says.

She also handled the party’s seating arrangements and placed the matron of honor, Jenna, on one side of the bride, and the maid of honor, Alexis, on the other. “I loved having both of the most influential people in my life surrounding me,” Lauren says.

To brides currently planning a bridal shower—or any wedding event, for that matter—Lauren has this advice: “Make your wedding events authentically you! Pick something you love to center your theme around, not just the most trendy thing at the time.”