What Will It Bee? A Sweet & Suspenseful Gender-Neutral Baby Shower

The anticipation of a new arrival is a truly magical journey, filled with countless questions and boundless excitement. Among the most thrilling queries on everyone’s lips is, “What will it be?” While many parents-to-be opt for a gender reveal, some embrace the beautiful suspense, choosing to wait until the big day to discover if they’ll welcome a little prince or princess. This feature showcases a brilliantly conceived baby shower that perfectly honors this choice, celebrating the upcoming birth with an ingenious “What Will It Bee?” theme.

Imagine a vibrant celebration bathed in cheerful yellow hues, dotted with the most adorable bee motifs. This particular shower, meticulously planned by family, was designed to build on the delightful mystery, creating an atmosphere of joyful expectation. The genius behind its captivating visual narrative comes from Noelle Nielsen of Fishtale Photography, who not only captured every heartwarming moment but also masterminded much of the event’s design. Partnering with the incomparable Laurie Pyle of Cocoa & Fig, they crafted a dessert display that was nothing short of a masterpiece, where lovable fondant bees seemed to buzz around a table laden with gorgeous goodies, irresistibly cute onesie cookies, and a show-stopping sweet beehive cake. This “What Will It Bee?” baby shower is a symphony of charm, creativity, and delectable treats, offering endless inspiration for those seeking a unique and memorable celebration.

Let the stunning visuals speak for themselves as we delve deeper into the intricate details that made this event so extraordinarily special.

The Buzz Behind the Theme: A Sister’s Sweet Vision

The heart of any truly special event lies in its inspiration, and for this “What Will It Bee?” baby shower, the vision blossomed from a place of deep familial love. Noelle Nielsen, the talented eye behind Fishtale Photography, shares the delightful backstory of how this adorable theme came to life:

“My mom and I actually planned this shower for my sister, who also happens to be my best friend. Since she decided not to find out the gender of her baby, I immediately thought it would be incredibly fun and fitting to adopt a ‘What Will It Bee?’ theme. This concept perfectly captured the joyful suspense while providing a wonderful framework for gender-neutral decor. I took on the responsibility for designing all the graphics, including the invitations, signage, and even the floral arrangements, aiming for a cohesive and charming look. However, I knew that for the cake and dessert table, I needed to enlist the help of an expert to truly bring my vision to life. That’s why I entrusted that crucial element to the incredibly talented Laurie Pyle from Cocoa & Fig.”

Noelle’s personal touch in crafting the invitations and decor ensured that every detail resonated with the shower’s playful yet elegant aesthetic. The choice of bright yellow, complemented by hints of black and white, created a sunny, optimistic atmosphere that perfectly embodied the hope and happiness surrounding a new baby. Her meticulous planning extended to every corner, from charming bee-themed signage guiding guests to the festive floral displays that added a touch of natural beauty to the celebration.

A Symphony of Sweets: The Cocoa & Fig Dessert Extravaganza

When it came to the edible artistry, Cocoa & Fig transformed the “What Will It Bee?” theme into a spectacular culinary experience. Laurie Pyle, the creative force behind their exquisite confections, recounts the delightful process:

“When Noelle of Fishtale Photography first presented her idea for a bee-themed dessert table, we were absolutely thrilled! We adore the challenge of coordinating our desserts to a party’s specific theme, and it was genuinely fun to infuse the cheerful yellow ‘bee’ motif into every aspect of this dessert table spread. Our goal was to create not just treats, but edible works of art that complemented the shower’s overall charm and elegance.”

The Crown Jewel: The Beehive Cake

The centerpiece of the dessert table was undoubtedly the show-stopping cake. Laurie describes its magnificent details:

• Flavor Profile: A decadent black velvet cake, renowned for its rich flavor and moist texture, perfectly complemented by a luscious cream cheese icing.
• Elegant Exterior: The cake was flawlessly covered in smooth white fondant, providing a pristine canvas for the bee-themed embellishments.
• Golden Accents: A delicate yellow pearl border traced the base, adding a touch of sophisticated shimmer.
• Sweet Symbolism: A charming baby badge adorned the front, hinting at the precious arrival.
• Whimsical Topper: Crowned atop the cake was an adorable beehive crafted from rice krispie treats, giving it a delightful texture and playful appeal.
• Life-like Details: Tiny, meticulously sculpted fondant bees circled the beehive, bringing the entire confection to life and truly encapsulating the theme.

Mini Delights: A Swarm of Sweet Treats

Complementing the grand cake was an array of mini desserts, each a tiny masterpiece designed to delight the senses and continue the bee narrative:

• Vanilla Cake Lollipops: These delightful cake pops were dipped in vibrant yellow chocolate, complete with elegant black accent stripes, resembling busy bees in flight. Their convenient stick presentation made them perfect for guests to enjoy.
• Lemon Yellow French Macarons: Delicate and airy, these classic French macarons were infused with a bright lemon flavor and colored in a cheerful yellow, providing a sophisticated, zesty counterpoint to the other sweets.
• Toasted Coconut Mini Cupcakes: Moist and flavorful, these mini cupcakes were topped with toasted coconut for a textural crunch and adorned with a sweet, tiny fondant flower, adding a touch of floral charm reminiscent of a bee’s natural habitat.
• Lemon Meringue Tartlets: Offering a burst of tangy sweetness, these individual tartlets with their glossy, golden meringue peaks provided a refreshing option for guests.
• Onesie Sugar Cookies: Arguably the most endearing of the mini treats, these custom-shaped sugar cookies were intricately decorated to resemble baby onesies, each featuring a ridiculously cute little bee, making them an instant favorite and a perfect keepsake.

The meticulous attention to detail in each dessert, from the coordinated colors to the intricate bee motifs, demonstrated Cocoa & Fig’s commitment to creating an unforgettable experience. The entire dessert table wasn’t just a display of food; it was an artistic installation, a vibrant tableau that perfectly captured the essence of the “What Will It Bee?” theme.

Crafting Your Own Buzz-Worthy Baby Shower

Inspired by this stunning “What Will It Bee?” celebration? This theme is not only endearing but also wonderfully versatile, making it ideal for parents who prefer a gender-neutral approach or simply adore the cheerful aesthetic. Here are some ideas to help you plan your own buzzing baby shower:

Color Palette Perfection

Embrace a core palette of bright yellows and classic black and white. You can introduce subtle accents of sage green or light blue for a touch of nature, or even a soft grey to add sophistication. The key is to keep it fresh and inviting, much like a sunny meadow where bees collect nectar.

Decorations That Delight

• Honeycomb Decorations: Incorporate actual honeycomb lanterns or tissue paper decorations in varying sizes to create a playful, dimensional backdrop.
• Floral Arrangements: Sunflowers, yellow roses, daisies, or any flower that attracts bees would be perfect. Place small bouquets in charming vases or even mini honey pots.
• Balloon Arches: A stunning balloon arch in yellow, white, and black can frame your dessert table or entryway, creating an immediate focal point.
• Bee Motifs Everywhere: From tiny wooden bees scattered on tables to bee cutouts adorning banners and signs, integrate the little pollinators creatively.
• Table Settings: Use yellow tablecloths, black and white striped runners, and perhaps plates with bee illustrations.

Delectable Food & Drink Ideas

Beyond the incredible desserts like those from Cocoa & Fig, think about other food and drink options that fit the theme:

• Honey-Inspired Dishes: Offer honey-glazed chicken skewers, mini cornbread muffins with honey butter, or a beautiful cheese board with local honey.
• “Nectar” Drinks: Serve lemonade, orange juice, or a custom sparkling mocktail with a splash of honey syrup, garnished with lemon slices and mint. Label them as “Mommy’s Nectar” or “Sweet Nectar Sips.”
• Finger Foods: Keep it light and easy to eat. Think fruit skewers, mini sandwiches, and savory tarts.

Engaging Activities & Favors

• Guess the Gender Jar: A playful twist on the theme – have guests guess “Boy or Girl?” by placing a blue or pink bee sticker on a chart.
• “What Will It Bee?” Prediction Cards: Provide cards for guests to write down their gender predictions and well wishes for the baby.
• Bee-Themed Games: Classic baby shower games can be given a bee twist, such as “Don’t Say Baby” with bee pins instead of clothes pins.
• Sweet Favors: Small jars of local honey, packets of wildflower seeds (to “help the bees grow”), or custom bee-themed cookies make perfect parting gifts.

The Power of Collaboration: Fishtale Photography & Cocoa & Fig

This “What Will It Bee?” baby shower truly stands as a testament to the magic that happens when creative minds collaborate. The partnership between Noelle Nielsen of Fishtale Photography, who expertly handled the overall concept, graphics, and breathtaking photography, and Laurie Pyle of Cocoa & Fig, whose dessert artistry brought the theme to delicious life, was absolutely seamless. Noelle’s eye for design ensured that every visual element, from the invitations to the floral arrangements, harmonized beautifully, creating a cohesive and enchanting atmosphere. Meanwhile, Laurie’s culinary expertise transformed simple ingredients into a dessert wonderland, where each treat was a miniature work of art. Their combined talents elevated this family celebration into an unforgettable event, demonstrating how professional collaboration can turn a sweet idea into a spectacular reality.

Seriously, could those onesie cookies be any cuter? The entire shower is just delightful, radiating warmth, charm, and the sheer joy of impending parenthood! A special thank you once again to Noelle of Fishtale Photography and Laurie of Cocoa & Fig for generously sharing this incredibly yummy and inspiring “What Will It Bee?” baby shower with us today!

VENDORS & CREDITS
Desserts & Cake : Cocoa & Fig
Photography : Fishtale Photography