Luiza has went from the perfect bride-to-be to the perfect MOM-to-be!! She was showered by her closest friends and family and I’m so excited to have been there too! Held at Il Fornetto overlooking Sheepshead Bay, guests enjoyed a beautiful waterside view. This venue made for a picture-perfect backdrop for this Brooklyn themed baby shower in anticipation of baby Sergio’s arrival. This precious little bunny is due on April 12^th, Easter Sunday, and needless to say the couple simply cannot wait to meet sweet Sergio! 

As an event planner herself, Luiza has an amazing eye for details and the ability to execute, transforming a venue into a stunning space for celebration. Why Brooklyn for a baby shower theme? Luiza says:

“Brooklyn will always have a special place in my heart. This is where I spent most of my childhood, where my husband and I started our life together, & so much more in between!”

She wanted her shower to be about both her and her husband Aleks, not just a traditional celebration focused on the mom-to-be. That’s because they both love children and have long been known for it, since before they even met!

Luiza has spent her life focused on helping children and families, first as a babysitter, then a nanny, and working as a Child Life Specialist in Pediatrics since the age of 18. With a degree in Family and Child Studies with a Concentration in Child Life Specialist, it’s clear that Luiza has a big heart for children and will make an amazing mom! It’s her dream come true and the thing that she’s most excited about in life. Her sweet husband Aleks has always dreamed of being a dad and has long been the designated babysitter in his family. The couple couldn’t be more excited and ready to welcome their bundle of joy this spring! The co-ed celebration included family and friends of both mom and dad-to-be.

While most of their events have been held in New Jersey closer to family, including her bridal shower and wedding, Luiza wanted to have this celebration close to her home. In fact, they live just 2 blocks away!

Luiza says she has the sweetest memories of growing up in Brooklyn and loves the diversity and culture. The couple hired a DJ to help achieve a relaxed but upbeat vibe, turning the baby shower into a fun event that was enjoyed by all, including uncles, male friends, and her Dad.

Guests also had a lot of fun with games, including Guess Who: Mommy or Daddy? This one involved statements like “I was born with a unibrow”- Everyone laughed as the answer to this question was BOTH! Another game involved having new dads, who have had babies within the last 6 months, compete blindfolded. The new dads were challenged to change a baby doll’s diaper and clothes, and as you can imagine, hilarity ensued! The last game, lifting the shoe, included fun questions like “who will spoil the baby more?” I vote Luiza!

When it comes to décor, Luiza carried out the theme in creative and classy ways with the NYC borough as her inspiration. She designed and created DIY centerpieces for the tables. Each table was named after a Brooklyn neighborhood, including Park Slope, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn Heights, and Sheepshead Bay. She even did a DIY homage to Bedford-Stuyvesant’s own Notorious B.I.G.

“I went for a more modern approach with a chic touch of elegance & minimalism.”

The color scheme of white and ivory with gold and soft green accents of eucalyptus leaves brought the perfect balance of delicacy and elegance to the co-ed shower. Other details included framed photos from their maternity shoot, as well as an ultrasound image of sweet Sergio. Brooklyn-themed books were on display alongside stunning single stem white flowers in simple slim glass vases. White and ivory-colored balloons added a touch of whimsy and depth to the design. The result was a simple, yet absolutely stunning look that stayed true to the theme. Luiza is repurposing the shower’s charming décor elements for baby Sergio’s nursery.

The dessert table was minimalist but definitely not lacking in design. Simple vases with delicate white feathers were displayed next to the cake, which was the main focal point. Luiza designed it herself with inspiration from Minted, which was where she created her custom invitations, as well.

“My favorite part of planning was designing the cake and my favorite detail of the party WAS the cake! I wanted a very simple clean look for the whole party and the cake was the centerpiece of the day that brought it all together. Duet Bakery brought my vision to life- everything from the color palette to the details on the sketch of the Brooklyn Bridge!”

The three-tiered cake included iconic Brooklyn elements with the Brooklyn Bridge on the top tier, the brownstones on the bottom tier, and topped off with a tiny white onesie that reads ‘Where Brooklyn at’, inspired by Biggie, of course! 

At the end of the event, we took a few portraits outside on the balcony of the soon-to-be parents with the beautiful pastel skies in the background. You can just feel the excitement and anticipation between the couple for the arrival of their sweet baby boy. I just love these beautiful photos and hope that Luiza and Aleks will treasure them as baby Sergio grows!

Shooting these once-in-a-lifetime events is so special to me. I truly love that I get to capture these sweet moments in my client’s lives. I also had the honor of shooting Luiza’s bridal shower last year at the Madison Hotel. It was one of my all-time favorite events, as Luiza is truly a dream-client and friend! In addition to being a talented event planner, Luiza is also a mommy blogger in the making. You can see more of her designs and inspiring ideas by following her on Instagram @_luizaoganesian.