Hey babes! It’s Alexandra, and welcome back to another round of Martini Mondays with Chrissy—aka your favorite unfiltered cocktail-fueled bridal chat with me and my mom (resident martini enthusiast and queen of wedding opinions).
This week, we sipped on a strawberry basil martini that was chef’s kiss. So good, my mom said she was going to be drunk at a church picnic. I mean sheesh…but, valid. We muddled strawberries and basil using what I confidently called a “mortal and pestle” (I meant mortar and pestle, but we got there). Add vodka, a splash of agave nectar (because I love a skinny swap), and boom—pure summer in a glass.
Once we had our drinks, we dove into one of my favorite wedding season topics: bridal showers. And ohhh do we have opinions and stories!
Do We Still Open Gifts at Showers?
Short answer? We should. My mom is old-school and firmly believes if someone takes the time to get you a gift, they deserve to see you open it. I agree… within reason. No one wants to sit through two hours of, “Thank you for the waffle maker, Aunt Sue.”
So here’s what we did at my shower: full-blown assembly line. We had cards on top of each gift, I’d read the card, open the gift, shout out a thank you, and pass it down the table to be wrapped and packed up. We were done in under an hour—efficient, respectful, and everyone was happy.
Showers Come in All Flavors (and We’ve Been to Them All)
Chrissy and I have seriously been to every kind of bridal shower under the sun:
- Fancy luncheons at country clubs
- Cozy brunches at home
- Tea parties, wine tastings, and even themed ones like “time of day” showers (yes, apparently that’s a thing…)
Personally, I love a stylish but relaxed vibe. My favorite? A chic little lunch with just six of us at the NM Café in Neiman Marcus. No stress, just girl time.
Whatever the setting, just make sure the vibe fits the bride. If she’s extra, lean into it. If she’s more low-key, don’t force the formalities.
Bridal Shower Games: Let’s Talk
I’m not into cheesy games. No one wants to watch the couple hold up shoes to answer “who cooks more?” (spoiler: no one cares).
BUT—I am here for creative, fun ones. At my brother’s fiancée’s shower, we played “Who Has the Groom?” using celeb face cutouts and scratch-off cards (all from Amazon, of course). It was cute, simple, and didn’t make anyone cringe.
We also played a round of Bridal Shower Family Feud, and it was a hit. Interactive games > bridal bingo. Every time.
Shower Venues We Love (If You’re in the Chicagoland Area)
If you’re local and planning a shower, here are a few of our fave spots:
- Royal Melbourne in Long Grove – classic and beautiful
- The Grove Country Club – top-tier everything
- Concorde Banquets – affordable, great food, and lovely rooms
- Gibsons (Oak Brook + Rush St) – strong martinis, even stronger service
- NM Café at Neiman Marcus – perfect for intimate lunches with a glam touch
Honestly, showers can be anywhere—from your backyard to your favorite restaurant. It’s all about making it feel thoughtful.
Final Take-Away from Me
I’ve loved every single one of my bridal showers (yes, plural—I’m extra). But no matter how big or small, it meant the world that people took the time to show up, gift, and celebrate.
So if you’re hosting—just keep it intentional. Make it feel like her, acknowledge the gifts somehow, and for the love of brunch, keep the food good and the timeline moving.
Thanks for tuning in to Chapter 5! I’ll be dreaming of another strawberry basil martini until next Monday.
Cheers + Kisses
A.C.E Styling
Martini Recipe Card: The Strawberry Basil “Farmer’s Daughter”
The Vibe: Summer garden party meets flirty farmer’s market
Perfect For: Bridal showers, patio hangs, or pretending you’re chill at family functions
Ingredients:
- 2 oz vodka (or gin if you’re feeling bold)
- 3-4 fresh strawberries
- 4-5 fresh basil leaves
- ½ oz agave nectar (for a skinny-girl touch)
- ½ oz simple syrup (optional, if you want it sweeter)
- ½ oz fresh lime juice (optional, for brightness)
Instructions:
- In a shaker, muddle strawberries and basil using a mortar and pestle
- Add vodka, agave nectar or simple syrup (plus lime juice if using).
- Fill with ice and shake like you’re mad at your wedding to-do list.
- Double strain into a chilled martini glass.
- Garnish with a basil leaf or strawberry slice.
- Sip and sass accordingly.
