Say goodbye to the pastels and storks, and hello to imaginative and personalized parties for moms- and dads-to-be.

Décor and tips by Jane Layne Events

Photos by Photography by Navarro

good fortune fete
at Vitality Wellness Spa

Celebrate the expectant mother’s good fortune with an Asian-inspired shower. Drawing from the Eastern philosophy of tranquility, a spa party is ideal for a repeat mom who already had a larger shower the first (or second) time, and the setting is just right for an intimate gathering of close friends and coworkers.

Jenny Fauser (of Winter Garden) gave birth to Isaac on January 24.

ORIGAMI
Spoil the guests before the shower begins by sending origami invitations custommade by Sarah Hanna Calligraphy & Design (www.SarahHanna.com). The 3-D invites will set the tone and wow your friends and family, and can double as a keepsake from the event.

SERENE SHADES
Instead of fussing over décor, host the tranquil event at Vitality Day Spa’s modern, yet masterninspired, space (www.vitalitywellnessdayspa.com). Teal and navy Chinese takeout boxes from Michael’s with nail polish inside will suffice as keepsakes for this fabulous Asian affair.

SWEET SUSHI
Who says mothers-to-be can’t eat sushi? They can if it’s in the form of a cake! Leave it to local artist Anna Cakes (www.annacakes.com) to create a to-die-for sushi cake with a volcano roll, sashimi, ginger, soy sauce, wasabi and even some chopsticks. It will be the hit of the party.

OMG (OH MY GEISHA)
Treat your guests to the ultimate luxury by hiring a geisha hostess (Karen Amano, 407-301-8121). Guests won’t need to lift their newly manicured fingers to get their food and drink. The geisha also will entertain with Japanese song and dance as well as a blessing gift for mom.

DIM SUM … AND THEN SOME
Light bites, such as an organic fruit bowl and sandwhich spirals from Whole Foods, are sure to please your guest of honor. During the spa services, indulge in mocktails mimicking guests’ favorite drinks, then garnish the glass with a fortune cookie.

down-home baby-Q
in your own backyard

Welcoming a southern belle or gentleman into the world must be done in style; she or he would have it no other way! Arrange a classic Southern backyard barbecue with a modish twist. Staying true to the theme and pleasing the hip Southern mama, you must make sure that every detail is simple and charming with a small dash of style.

Erikka & Anthony Hart (of Longwood) welcomed Samus Aran on November 20.

ORANGE YOU GLAD YOU DID?
Select a nontraditional, but gender-appropriate, color to use for all elements of the shower. Stay away from the “Southern” cliché of using citrus or soft tones, and choose ones that will add some pizazz: for girls, violet; for boys, grass green.

DELISH DESSERTS
After the barbecue buffet and iced tea, skip the pies, and design a killer sweets station! Accompany the mound of vintage candies with a custom cake by Sprinkles (www.SprinklesCakes.net). Enjoy milk in baby bottles with striped straws.

MODEST MOTIF
Steer clear of bandannas and checkerboards. Galvanized vases filled with fresh blooms and a lace table runner will achieve the look you are going for. Hang a single strand of bulb lights, and scatter mason jars with tea lights to complement the laid-back vibe.

SAVORY SEND-OFFS
A great way to say “thank ya’ll” to your guests is to give them personalized bottles of barbecue or hot sauce donned with custom labels. These are great take-home gifts for co-ed showers too. Do it yourself, or order them online at www.beau-coup.com.

PEEK-A-POOH
Prior to the shower, have guests write wishes and parental advice on the back of a diaper with a Sharpie. After the baby is born, the parents will use the diapers with inscriptions.The advice and well wishes will help the frazzled pair through those early sleepless nights.

the birds & the bees
at Hard Rock Hotel

Not only does the theme pay homage to the metaphor behind the expression; it allows for gorgeous visuals and tons of creativity. Think nests, honey and ducks. The theme also sets an ideal environment for a coed celebration (one sans uber-feminine décor) and is perfect for first-time fathers or couples that want an unconventional affair.

Megan & Carlos Navarro (of DeLand) welcomed Lennon Love on January 19.

BOY OR GIRL?
If the baby’s gender is in question, use elegant linens from Kirby Rentals (www.kirbytent.com) in a neutral palette of warm grey, black and white. Using “pops” of yellow and red, traditionally gender-friendly colors, will add visual zing to the festivities and tie together the overall theme.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE
When it comes to raising a child, any guidance from those who are near and dear is helpful. Invite guests to share valuable advice, a favorite saying or words of encouragement with the mom- and dad-to-be. Hang it on a decorative tree that the couple can take home as a keepsake.

SWEET SOIREE
The combination of flowers and candy is the perfect recipe for a beautiful and edible tabletop. Fill a vase with marshmallows and top with a simple floral arrangement, or adorn minimal greenery with sugar-spun flowers. Keep treats in the same color palette for sophistication.

THE HIVE
For the coed shower, be sure to cater to all guests. Create a man-friendly area filled with beer, playing cards and perhaps a television so they don’t miss the game. The Hospitality Suite at the Hard Rock Hotel offers an outdoor garden and enclosed office area for guys to gather in.

GROWN-UP GRUB
Let Puff ‘n Stuff (www.puffnstuff.com) cater the menu with gourmet pizzettes, deconstructed cheeseburgers and a french fry bar. It will be more than enough to satisfy any adult’s childhood cravings. Spoonful of a spaghetti-wrapped meatball, anyone?