We hosted our first baby shower at the Monica + Andy Guideshop in Lincoln Park in July. Trust us when we say… it was magical! Expecting moms from across the Chicago area were invited for a special day of celebration, sharing stories, enjoying delicious food and shopping for their babies on the way.

The shower theme was ‘Baby on Board.’ It was a playful nod to our Summer Collection which is full of limited-edition nautical prints.

Want to plan your own nautical-themed baby shower? Here are six splashy ideas to make it truly memorable.

1. Send Out REAL Invitations:

Let your guests know how much you appreciate them by going old-school and mailing custom invitations. There is something special about receiving paper invitations rather than an Evite that gets lost in Spam. You’re setting the tone for the entire event and giving a little sneak peek of what’s in store.

2. Add Florals to Your Balloon Garland: 

There’s nothing more refreshing than just-picked florals. Balloon garlands are always a must, but consider adding some fresh flowers to the mix to give it a little something extra.

3. Get Creative With Vases: 

Upgrade  with theme baskets. We found these darling whale baskets at our local Home Goods. A simple switch of a vase to something more on-theme can completely transform your table.

4. Level Up Your Plates and Linen: 

Choose some that fit your themed color palette — it brings the table to life. And consider using our Always Blankets or Coming Home Blankets as linen. They make for a great gift for mama-to-be and add a gorgeous pop of color!

5. Do Custom Menus: 

When they say “It’s all in the details,” this is what they mean. Having your menus printed and designed to match your theme will complete the setting in a thoughtful way.

6. Choose Florals Wisely:

The florals are the heart of the table. Be sure they tie in with your theme or coordinate with your color palette. In our case, the florals did both! Hydrangea is THE flower of the East Coast, and we were sure to use blue and white blooms to match the palette throughout the room. 

We have so many baby showers in store for you this year! Be sure to follow along on Instagram stories to keep your eye out for exclusive invites to the event.

And a big thank you to all of our vendors!

Photography: Simply By Suzy

Menu Concept: Karina Heinrich

Catering: Paramount Events

Balloons: Sweet Jory's