How to Host a Bridal Shower Mimosa Bar

This is a sponsored post for Oriental Trading as part of their Blogger Community. Others may have a different opinion or experience with the products listed.

Did you know Oriental Trading has a new sister site, Marry Me, dedicated to all things wedding? When my friend and I teamed up last weekend to host a bridal shower for her sister, it was the perfect time to check out their fabulous selection of goods. Since I love a pretty drink and we were hosting a brunch event, a mimosa bar was a must.

Do a Pinterest search for mimosa bar and you will be instantly flooded with so many amazing images that are full of a million details, and believe you me, I love them all! But as Coco Chanel said, ‘Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.’ Sometimes, too much is not a good thing and you may find yourself overwhelmed and not sure what to use. I, myself, was going to make a bubbly backdrop with balloons. I covered a pegboard with gold paper and was going to poke holes through to add the balloons to.

But, once I started setting up, I realized I didn’t want to overwhelm the space and take away from the beautiful buffet that is a family heirloom. I wanted to let its natural beauty shine, so I kept the decor simple. Do the same when you are working with your own space. Is there a window with a gorgeous view that would frame your bar perfectly? Use it! No need for any more decor. Are you using beautiful glass and stemware? Let them take center stage and don’t overwhelm them with lots of bells and whistles.

Mimosa Bar Suggestions

champagne or other sparkling wine like prosecco
fruit juice
fruit and other add-ins
champagne flutes or coupe glasses
ice bucket
simple signage

Sparkling Wine

OK, so let’s get this out…champagne is from the Champagne region of France. If it’s not from there, it can’t be called champagne. In other words, Champagne is sparkling wine, but not all sparkling wine is Champagne. There are a serious variety of sparkling wines out there, so your choice is determined by your budget. Within that, will be your taste preference. Sparkling wines range in extra Brut, Brut, Dry, Demi Sec and Doux, level of sweetness, from low to high. Since we are adding sweet with our juice, I like to stay within the Brut/Dry range so our drinks aren’t too sweet. But that is totally your call.

Fruit Juice

Orange juice creates the classic mimosa but mix it up with a variety of juices! We used pomegranate and pineapple juice, but there are many other options out there from peach and lemonade to kiwi-strawberry. Use fruit puree and your drink becomes a bellini! Serve your juice in clear bottles, decanters or other type of vessel; I used glass oil bottles! They were perfect for pouring our liquids and easy for using gold stickers as labels.

Fruit and other add-ins are the best part! We served fresh fruit – orange and peach slices, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries and pineapple – with sugar cubes and rock candy crystals, and fresh mint leaves. Some ladies skewered their fruit, others let them float in their drinks. Once again, your fruit choices depend on availability; I chose pomegranate juice because I thought I could then pick up a container of seeds as a garnish. Turns out, poms are a fall/winter fruit…I learned something new.

Champagne flutes or coupe glasses

Flutes are fabulous for holding those pretty bubbles in the glass, but hey, once you add juice, those bubbles tend to disappear. I love using coupe glasses because they are vintage fabulous. Whether they are glass or plastic, both are perfect for an elegant touch.

Simple signage

Create a simple sign with directions or tips to inspire your guests. If you are using more exotic ingredients, be sure and label them.

Our fabulous bride to be goes in first…

When you add a sugar cube or two to straight bubbly, you get a pretty froth…and it tastes so good!

A perfect, beautiful day to celebrate a special lady! If you need other brunch inspired ideas, check out my tips on putting together a Bloody Mary Bar or any of my brunch posts.

Check out our Shop The Look below for a few of the items I used…