Looking for a creative and impressive bridal shower theme that's also a gift for the bride to be? Back in April, I mentioned that I was working on a "secret project" for my daughter's bridal shower and that I would share the details at a later date. Well, as promised...
A personalized cookbook with recipes contributed by the guests of the shower.
We used Tastebook.Com and were very pleased with the final product.
The hardcover book has an expandable binder that holds up to 100 recipes and the pages are removable.
You can use your own recipes or choose from professionally tested recipes from top recipe sites.
We got the "100 Recipe" book and only contributed 75 recipes. The finished book came with a credit for the remaining 25 recipes, which the bride can add whenever she wants.
A warning: This was a lot of work. If you are willing to take it on, it is well worth it.
Start early and give yourself plenty of time. We notified people about 6 weeks prior to the shower.
I sent out an email to all shower guests explaining what we were doing.
I asked for favorite recipes and photos of the finished food
to include in the book.
The Tastebook format allows one picture per recipe.
Make sure to state a deadline, giving yourself plenty of time.
Expect to receive recipes close to or after the deadline.
Not everyone sent a photo and for those recipes we had to actually make the food so we could photograph it.
I told you, it is a lot of work.
It is a good idea to have at least two people working on it. I had my daughter (Maid of Honor) helping me. As the recipes came in, she entered them into Tastebook. We made sure the recipes were consistent, using the same abbreviations throughout and listing ingredients in order of use. After she entered them, I proofread and then she went through for a third and final check.
The process is simple, but it is not easy. Tastebook is very user friendly, with clear directions and a basic fill-in-the-blank template. But it is time consuming and there is a lot of editing. Most of the photos we received needed to be cropped or touched up a little. All of the recipes needed editing.
It was a lot of fun, a very creative project and something that is a true gift to the recipient. Everyone that participated was excited about it and happy to be involved.
We titled our book "Favorites From Family & Friends"
Other shower ideas to incorporate with the cookbook:
Have the food or desserts at the shower be from the recipes in the cookbook.
Have cookbook ordering information printed on cards so others can order a copy.
Have photos of the contributors to the cookbook in a "cooking-themed collage" display on a table with the book.
Now for the sad news: The week after we ordered the book, we were informed the wedding was cancelled.
There are 11 of us, including the bride-not-to-be, who now own this cookbook. The dedication page states: "in honor of your Bridal Shower May 31, 2009"
and the cover of the book states: "Collected with love for Ashley & Scott"
When it arrived, we gave it to her and Ashley loves the gift. We are still happy we made it. It's kind of like a Rookie card with the name misspelled...a collectors item of sorts.
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Sharon - What a great idea and so simple (in theory). Sorry about the cancellation of your daughters wedding , hopefully everyone will work through it and find closure.
Sorry to here of the cancelation but I'm sure it is for the best. My duaghter had second thoughts and got married anyway a couple of years ago and the marriage lasted a short 3 months, he was falling into his old ways and she felt unsafe. The cookbook sounded like it was fun to put together and I'm sure the recipies will be used... Thanks for sharing.
What a wonderful idea!
But sad to hear the cancelation but with a cookbook like this, she now well equipped to find a new husband! ;-)
I haven't, .... even read this yet but the layout is so great! Ok ...wow what a geat idea for gift! So personalized and something to be treasured. Timing is everything perhaps this will be apart of her future!
Best Wishes, Jess Graves
How much did it cost? I am having trouble finding the information.
Laura: This wedding and shower had taken on a personality of their own. It was like a death when it got cancelled. There was such a feeling of grief and loss. Scott is wonderful guy and our family will miss him.
Diane: Sorry about your daughter's wedding. How terrible. At least we didn't get to that point. Thanks.
Sylvia: She is a good little cook and will really enjoy the book. It will always have special sentimental meaning.
Jess: Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Wow what a story! Hope everyone gets through it ok. I do believe things work out for the best although sometimes it is a while before we see it.
Norma: Here is the link to the product info: http://www.tastebook.com/home/product_info
$19.95 for 25 recipes, $29.95 for 50 recipes and $34.95 for 100 recipes. You don't have to submit the total recipes at once. You prebuy the amount and add as you wish.
Charles: I too believe in things happening for a reason. I believe at some point we will be able to say it was a good thing. It is just so sad.
Hi Sharon,
Wow what a terrific idea. My family is all about the food, we love new recipies, and we all have our own. Having a family cookbook would be a fabulous way to pass along all of our hard work over the years. I am sorry to hear that it didn't work out, but hopefully some good will come out of it. I guess it's better to know before then after that it isn't going to work out. I wish your family the best! :)
-Lisa
Lisa: Plenty of time to get started on a cookbook for the holidays! Any family holiday or celebration would be good reason to organize a book. Let me know if you decide to make one.
Sharon- It is a great idea. I think it would also make a lovely graduation gift, so I think I'll look into that for my daughter who will be a college grad in December.
I'm sorry about your daughters wedding, but I've always felt better to cancel than to move forward and end up in divorce. May God have better plans for her around the corner. I know you are all grieving, it is just like a death. I certainly compared my divorce to a death.
Gosh girl - great idea, but crushing news! I am sorry that it didn't work out as planned! You have put so much work into all of these showers recently. I am sorry about the let down.
I love the cookbook program though. I have wanted to do a version of this for all of the next generation from recipes collected from my grandmother and great aunts. This might be just what I was looking for. Thank you for doing the leg work for me!
I hope you all are doing well - there is a bigger plan that we may not always realize. That may not make you feel any better today - but hopefully someday!
Tammy: Graduation gift is a great idea. I'm sure you will have fun putting it together. Thank you for the kind words regarding the wedding.
Sheila: It's only the one shower...but it felt like many! I appreciate your sympathy, thanks.
Good luck with the cookbook. It was a very satisfying project. If you have any questions along the way, just ask.
Sharon,
Thanks for this post! One of my best friends is pregnant and I'm having the baby shower and I will let you know how it goes. Have a great night!
Monique: I'm sure she will love it. You could somehow theme it to the baby. Maybe recipes that are easy and fast, or fun recipes to make with children, or cupcake recipes for the birthday parties. Have fun with it and be creative!
Sharon Nice post. I have some relatives in your area that my need your services. I will send them your site.
Scott
Sharon, that's a wonderfully unique gift idea. It's also good to hear that some of you have collectible cook books and Scott can still be a friend of the family.
Scott: Thank you! I appreciate it. If I hear from your relatives, I will take very good care of them!
Maria: Ashley was visiting tonight and we showed my parents the cookbook. The think it is beautiful. Ashley mentioned again what a great gift it was. I appreciate your comment, thank you!
Sharon-so sorry to read this sweetie! Better now than later though like you said. Hugs to your daughter-hope she is doing okay.
Debra: Who knows why these things happen. Hopefully they will find happiness with whoever it is they are meant to be with. Thanks for your sympathy!