Skip to content

Top Navigation

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • FOOD
  • HOLIDAYS
  • ENTERTAINING
  • HOME
  • GARDENING
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING
  • WEDDINGS
  • SHOP
  • DIY
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS
  • LIFE
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Pin FB

Explore Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 5 Kitchen Cabinet Paint Colors That Will Never Go Out of Style, According to Interior Designers

      5 Kitchen Cabinet Paint Colors That Will Never Go Out of Style, According to Interior Designers

      Choose a shade that works with a range of backsplash and countertop materials. Read More
    • Let Go of These 8 Household Items as We Start the New Year

      Let Go of These 8 Household Items as We Start the New Year

      Reclaim your space by parting with things in your home you no longer use or have been damaged over time. Read More
    • 93 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes to Make Any Night of the Week

      93 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes to Make Any Night of the Week

      From chili and chicken cutlets to spaghetti and meatballs and sheet-pan salmon, consider this your ultimate guide to making a fast weeknight dinner. Read More
  • FOOD

    FOOD

    See All FOOD
    93 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes to Make Any Night of the Week

    93 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes to Make Any Night of the Week

    From chili and chicken cutlets to spaghetti and meatballs and sheet-pan salmon, consider this your ultimate guide to making a fast weeknight dinner.
    • Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Lunch Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Drink Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Cooking How-Tos
    • Baking
    • Menu Planning
    • Food News & Trends
    • Wine
    • Mastering the Holiday Meal
    • What's for Dinner
    • All Recipes
  • HOLIDAYS

    HOLIDAYS

    See All HOLIDAYS
    40 Valentine's Day Dessert Recipes That You'll Fall in Love With

    40 Valentine's Day Dessert Recipes That You'll Fall in Love With

    The sweetest way to say "I love you" is with one of these heartfelt, homemade Valentine's Day desserts. Whether you're looking for a treat for your partner, your Galentine's crew, or the co-workers who adore your home baking, you'll find plenty of inspiration in this collection, filled with heart-shaped cakes, cupcakes, and cookies—plus, easy chocolate truffles and decadent mousses and parfaits. Our recipes include desserts for two to share and sweets that feed a crowd. We rate them all above a bunch of red roses any day.
    • Father's Day
    • Fourth of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Hanukkah
    • Christmas
    • New Year's Eve
    • Valentine's Day
    • St. Patricks Day
    • Passover
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
  • ENTERTAINING

    ENTERTAINING

    See All ENTERTAINING
    6 Things to Always Clean Before Guests Come Over

    6 Things to Always Clean Before Guests Come Over

    You don't have to give your house a top-to-bottom scrub before guests arrive, but there are a few areas you should pay attention to.
    • Seasonal Entertaining & Decorating
    • Halloween Party Ideas
    • Dinner Party Ideas
    • Adult Halloween Costumes
  • HOME

    HOME

    See All HOME
    6 Kitchen Paint Trends to Consider in 2023

    6 Kitchen Paint Trends to Consider in 2023

    Bolder tones, like cherry red and deep olive green, will dominate in the heart of the home.
    • Home Design & Decor
    • Paint Colors & Palettes
    • DIY Home Projects
    • The Well-Kept Home
  • GARDENING

    GARDENING

    See All GARDENING
    How to Winter Sow—Plus, 6 Expert-Approved Seeds to Plant During the Cold-Weather Months

    How to Winter Sow—Plus, 6 Expert-Approved Seeds to Plant During the Cold-Weather Months

    These blooms are tolerant to the chilly conditions, which will allow you to get ahead on your spring flower garden.
    • Container Gardening
    • Flower Gardens
    • Houseplants
    • Landscaping
    • Vegetable Gardens
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    How to Remove Hard Water Stains From a Glass Shower—and Prevent Future Build-Up Before It Forms

    How to Remove Hard Water Stains From a Glass Shower—and Prevent Future Build-Up Before It Forms

    The spots develop when water dries on glass and leaves behind the minerals that were trapped inside.
    • Cleaning
    • Storage & Organization
    • Laundry & Linens
  • WEDDINGS

    WEDDINGS

    See All WEDDINGS
    Experts Say These Are the 7 Things Happy Couples Regularly Do Together

    Experts Say These Are the 7 Things Happy Couples Regularly Do Together

    • Real Weddings
    • Wedding Party
    • Wedding Planning & Advice
    • Wedding Ceremony & Reception
    • Wedding Jewelry
    • Dresses & Style
    • Wedding Beauty & Wellness
    • Wedding Registry
    • Wedding Showers & Parties
    • Love & Marriage
    • Wedding Travel
  • SHOP
  • DIY

    DIY

    See All DIY
    Ready for a New Hobby? These Are the 8 Craft Trends to Try in 2023

    Ready for a New Hobby? These Are the 8 Craft Trends to Try in 2023

    From disco ball art to punch needle embroidery, these are the projects that will dominate the DIY world in the new year, experts say.
    • Dyeing
    • Holiday Crafts
    • Kids' Crafts
    • Knitting
    • Paper Crafts
    • Sewing
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    The Truth About Slugging: Will Applying Petrolatum Jelly to Your Skin Really Make It Glow?

    The Truth About Slugging: Will Applying Petrolatum Jelly to Your Skin Really Make It Glow?

    In short, yes—should you have a skin type that might benefit from an occlusive product.
    • Beauty
    • Health & Wellness
    • Live Well
  • LIFE

    LIFE

    See All LIFE
    9 Dog Breeds That Look Like Puppies Even When They're Fully Grown

    9 Dog Breeds That Look Like Puppies Even When They're Fully Grown

    Puppies are irresistible. We fall in love with their big eyes, little button noses, fluffy tails, and clumsy paws. And yet, like any pet, puppies grow up and turn into dogs. Some breeds, like the Old English Sheepdog or Great Dane, will grow to become larger in size than most people. But not all dogs are destined to become giants. There are some breeds that stay small in size even when they're fully grown. You may want a forever puppy if you are used to smaller animals. Maybe you have a small apartment or just want a canine companion that you can easily carry along with you anywhere you go. Small dogs are also great for families with young children or those of senior age who are best matched with a breed they can physically handle. Fortunately, some specialty dog breeds are mixed to look like puppies throughout their entire lives—and they are sure to melt your heart the second you lay your eyes on them. 
    • Family
    • Pets
    • Travel
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. marthastewart.com
  2. Entertaining
  3. Baby Shower Ideas
  4. A Rainbow-Themed Baby Shower for One Mom-to-Be and Her Miracle

A Rainbow-Themed Baby Shower for One Mom-to-Be and Her Miracle

By Alexandra Churchill February 27, 2019
Skip gallery slides
Pin
pregnant woman in blue dress
Credit: Stephanie Williams
A rainbow color palette brings cheer to any baby shower—with cupcakes and confections, a tray of desserts floating in midair, and a balloon garland like clouds—but the symbol also has a very special meaning for one mother-to-be.
Start Slideshow

1 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
pregnant woman in blue dress
Credit: Stephanie Williams
Browse Our Best Baby Shower Themes

For Dawn Schillinger, founder of Earthbaby Flowers, it seems the storm has finally passed. "Pep (my fiancé) and I had conceived three times in a year and a half prior to having this healthy pregnancy," she says. "Two were ectopic and one was miscarried. Talk about a whirlwind of emotions!"

 

Then, a metaphorical rainbow appeared: "When we found out we were pregnant this time, our initial reaction was disbelief mixed with a little bit of hope." The couple went in for the ultrasound, and both cried tears of joy. "I will never forget the moment I heard his heartbeat," she recalls. "It was the best sound on Earth!" For the first few months she admits to feeling cautiously optimistic, having experienced loss before. Now halfway through her pregnancy with a due date in June, she's had a happy change of heart: "He really is our magical little rainbow baby and we cannot wait to meet him."

 

What helped, Dawn says, was openly sharing her struggles and self-doubt with other women—and receiving their unwavering support in return. "In doing so, I've found great support and was surprised to learn that these situations are more common than one would think!" she says. "As a woman, it's very tough to go through the cycles of pregnancy and loss, especially so close together." To lift spirits and celebrate, a rainbow baby shower seemed like not only a beautiful theme but a beautifully powerful reminder of everything that came before. As luck would have it, Dawn was fortunate to have a tight group of female friends who would be on any party planner's wish list: Royale Ziegler of But First, Party!, Rachel Huntington of Bonjour Fête, and other women-lead creatives like Josephine Los Angeles, the Sorella Collective, and Creative Amme. Together, they pooled their talents to envision a baby shower worthy of Dawn's story.

1 of 13

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Creative Vision

rainbow baby shower place settings and balloons
Credit: Stephanie Williams
Get More Baby Shower Decorations

Feeling inspired, Royale of But First, Party! took on the design and planning. She sourced pretty heart plates from Meri Meri, then recalled a lovely tablescape styled by La Tavola for the launch of their velvet fabrics. "And," she adds, "what better way to recreate a rainbow in the sky than to mirror the velvety colors on the table with a balloon installation?"

2 of 13

3 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Party Planning

woman sitting in chair with rainbow balloons
Credit: Stephanie Williams
See More of Rachel's and Royale's Showstopping Party Ideas

Rachel Huntington of Bonjour Fête, who graciously opened the doors of her L.A. partyware boutique for this baby shower, also lent her crafty talent: making balloon garlands. To create this lofty display, she used a mix of balloons (ranging in size from 5 up to 36 inches each) and color-blocked them in 3-foot sections of 9 quads (or 4 balloons tied together). "We often double stuff our balloons to achieve the proper color, so if you want a softer version of a specific color we will put it inside a white balloon," she says. "It makes it hard to tie but is much more customizable."

3 of 13

Advertisement

4 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

An Airy Welcome

decorations rainbow baby shower
Credit: Stephanie Williams
Get More Balloon Ideas That'll Give Your Party Extra Pop

Upon arrival, guests were wowed by the 16-foot rainbow balloon garland floating over the table—216 balloons altogether! For suspension, Rachel used eye lag bolts, but she has a more home-friendly solution: "If that is not an option, you can always go with command hook—just make sure it is applied on a clean surface. We use alcohol wipes to prepare the wall first." While this was the central element of décor, it complemented the draping of pretty pastel velvet fabrics from La Tavola. 

4 of 13

5 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Up, Up, and Away

table decorations rainbow baby shower
Credit: Stephanie Williams
Get 12 Colorful Treats to Make and Taste the Rainbow

What's that floating in midair? "The rectangular cake is something Rachel and I have been waiting for the perfect opportunity to do!" Royale says excitedly. "We knew we wanted the meringues to make a statement on the table, so we decided to suspend the cake above the table on an acrylic shelf as a modern take on the cake stand." It's not just for show: This cake measured 3 feet by 8 inches with a vanilla mint-green buttercream outside, Tahitian vanilla marbled confetti cake inside, and rainbow meringue kiss accents. It fit perfectly among end-of-the-rainbow cookies, colorfully layered cakes, and scoops of sorbet. 

5 of 13

6 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Desserts to Delight

place settings at rainbow baby shower
Credit: Stephanie Williams

Josephine Los Angeles brought some of her signature sweets: citrus cupcakes with tangy lemon buttercream, passion fruit tartlets topped with Italian meringue, and lavender essence baked doughnuts. And the finishing touch? Meringue kisses numbered beyond imagination: "We layered in over 10 dozen vanilla meringues," Royale says. (That's 120 meringues in total!) "All of which ran down the table, creating a runner of sweets that coordinated with the lines."

6 of 13

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Mouthwatering Meringues

closeup of cupcakes and donut desserts at baby shower
Credit: Stephanie Williams
Browse Our Recipes for Meringue Cookies and Kisses

These dollops of sweetness—with their whirly-swirly shapes—added whimsy to the table. And they happen to be Josephine's specialty. Her concept: whisk up a batch of classic meringues, then get creative with flavored swirls. These meringue kisses were made special with a long-lasting, light as air outside and soft, mallowy inside.

7 of 13

8 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Bright Blooms

flower centerpiece at rainbow baby shower
Credit: Stephanie Williams
Get More Baby Shower Centerpieces to Wow Your Guests

Floral centerpieces from Earthbaby Flowers were gathered in a ROYGBIV arrangement: anemones, poppies, sweet peas, thistle, snap dragons, ranunculus, roses, olive, delphinium, and baby blue eucalyptus.

8 of 13

9 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Charms and Treats

green heart plates with four leaf clovers
Credit: Stephanie Williams

Keep it special and sensitive: It's all part of the etiquette around a rainbow baby shower. "When throwing a shower for a friend, possibly someone who has suffered a loss in her journey to motherhood," Royale advises, "be sure to make the details feel special and connect to the guest of honor as well as the theme. Dawn feels very lucky to have a healthy pregnancy, so we made sure to incorporate 'luck' into the party with the drink stirrers and the shamrock meringues." Like the other sweets, lucky four-leaf clover mergingues were by Josephine Los Angeles; the stirrers were courtesy of Creative Amme.

9 of 13

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Guess Who

gold boy and girl baby shower napkins
Credit: Stephanie Williams
See Cute Ways to Reveal the Baby's Gender

Enquiring minds want to know: Is it a boy or a girl? These days, the question is no longer simply answered—it's happily exclaimed with popping balloons, surprise packages, and other gender reveal ideas. Pass out these gold calligraphed party napkins and keep the guests guessing on whether "It's a boy!" or "It's a girl!"

10 of 13

11 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Taste the Rainbow

colorful tray of fruits and vegetables
Credit: Stephanie Williams
Get Our Best Baby Shower Party Recipes

A gentle reminder to eat your greens… and reds, and blues, and purples. Up the color (and flavor) quotient of party hors d'oeuvres by pairing healthy fruits and vegetables on the same platter. Sisters Shelby and Savannah DiMarcoof the Sorella Collective gathered a lavish grazing board of hummus dip, berries, citrus slices, spring crudites, and edible flowers.

11 of 13

12 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Feeling Fortunate

cake getting cut at baby shower
Credit: Stephanie Williams

A second cake ended the day on a sweet note. Much like the showstopper suspended in mid-air, this vanilla mint-green dessert cut into four luscious layers of blue Tahitian vanilla-marbled confetti cake with buttercream, and a rainbow of meringue kisses. The "Lucky Me" cake topper by Creative Amme echoed the sentiments of everyone who earned a slice. A rainbow's end (and the pot of gold that is said to be found when you reach it) became synonymous with the sentiment of the day. "We felt that this nod was perfect for a baby shower," Royale says, "since what better treasure is there than a baby?"

12 of 13

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Sources

woman hanging up rainbow balloons
Credit: Stephanie Williams

Event planning, Royale Ziegler of But First, Party! 

Photography, Stephanie Williams of This Modern Romance

Styling, balloons, and partyware, Rachel Huntington of Bonjour Fête

Sweets, Josephine Los Angeles

Flowers, Earthbaby Flowers

Catering, Sorella Collective

Linens, La Tavola

Acrylic shelf, stirrers, and cake topper, Creative Amme

13 of 13

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Alexandra Churchill

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 13
    2 of 13 The Creative Vision
    3 of 13 The Party Planning
    4 of 13 An Airy Welcome
    5 of 13 Up, Up, and Away
    6 of 13 Desserts to Delight
    7 of 13 Mouthwatering Meringues
    8 of 13 Bright Blooms
    9 of 13 Charms and Treats
    10 of 13 Guess Who
    11 of 13 Taste the Rainbow
    12 of 13 Feeling Fortunate
    13 of 13 Sources

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Martha Stewart

    Learn More

    • Contact Us
    • Customer Service
    • Media Kit
    • Martha's Blog
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing
    • FAQ
    • Corporate
    • International
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithMartha Stewart is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Martha Stewart. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.marthastewart.com

    Sign in

    View image

    A Rainbow-Themed Baby Shower for One Mom-to-Be and Her Miracle
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.