Millie Mae Café: My Dream Baby Shower After Loss

They say good things take time—and this celebration was years in the making. After two heartbreaking miscarriages and a season of waiting, praying, and healing, I finally had the honor of planning my very first baby shower. And not just any shower—this was a full-blown, croissant-filled, pastel-sprinkled brunch dream for our baby girl, Millie.

We called it the Millie Mae Café, and the idea was simple: what if we turned our love for cozy cafés, good company, and beautiful design into a sweet Parisian-inspired bakery experience? I wanted this day to feel soft, joyful, and sacred. And thanks to the help of friends and family, that’s exactly what it was.

The centerpiece of the day was a custom café setup that looked like it came straight out of a fairytale patisserie. With a blush arched niche, white scalloped awning, and café counter adorned with “Millie Mae Café – est. 2025,” it felt like walking into the sweetest little storefront—one built on faith, love, and almond croissants. Behind the counter: pastries, donuts, and a delicate white cake topped with fresh blooms. It was playful yet elegant, just like I imagine our girl will be.

Confession: I made all the floral arrangements myself. It was my first time attempting something like this—and now I’m pretty sure I’ve found a new creative outlet. From garden roses to ranunculus to playful pops of pink, every arrangement was built with intention. It wasn’t just about filling vases—it was about creating beauty in bloom, a mirror of the season I find myself in now.

We even tucked little teddy bears among the centerpieces for a playful touch—tiny reminders that this wasn’t just a fancy brunch. It was a celebration of new life.

From the start, I wanted this shower to feel personal & warm yet I knew I wanted the focus to be PINK. The kind of event where you walk in and immediately feel the heart behind it and know how excited we are to be welcoming a baby girl into our family.
Here are a few of my favorite details:

Place settings: Floral-patterned plates with pink knotted napkins and name tags made each seat feel special.
Blush glassware & gold flatware: Because I believe even a sip of water feels more magical in the right cup.
Teddy bears at every table: Each wearing tiny pink bows—because Millie is already so loved.

I have a love hate relationship with Baby Shower Games. On one hand, they are necessary - it's a time old tradition and pretty much expected at any shower. On the other hand, no one really likes to eat baby food blind folded racing against a timer. I opt'd for a few simple games with really cute gift bags to entice my friends & family to play.

The best game we played that didn't involve getting dirty? Teddy Bear Diaper Change Relay! It was so fun, a lot like playing flip cup but with the use of teddy bears and diapers. Everyone was excited to play and the winning team yelled with excitment. It was a great game to bring a lot of joy and laughter and some friendly competition to the vibes of the event.

The gifts were very personal to us. I am from a Cuban family and Manny is from a Dominican family. So we gifted cuban coffee makers with a Dominican Dulce de Leche treat. It was a nice way to celebrate our baby girl and the heritages she will be apart of.

Before brunch, before cake, before gifts, we took a moment to pause and pray. Surrounded by women who had walked with me through both grief and joy, we lifted Millie’s life up in prayer. It was quiet, powerful, and holy. The kind of moment you lock away in your heart forever.

After so many months of wondering if I’d ever get to celebrate a baby of my own, standing there—hand on belly, Manny by my side—I was overwhelmed with gratitude. This wasn’t just a baby shower. It was a declaration of faith, a celebration of answered prayers, and a tribute to the God who makes beauty from ashes.

Whether you stumbled here from Pinterest looking for baby shower ideas, or you’re in your own waiting season, I hope this gives you more than just visual inspiration. I hope it gives you hope that you too will have the shower of your dreams and while all of the small details are cute to look back on - nothing beats the memory of sharing this special day with those you love most. Because even after loss, life blooms again. And when it does, it’s worth celebrating—pink napkins, prayer circles, and all.

With love,
Alison