May
8th
By
Carlise (Carla) Shepperd
Don't worry about a thing. Armed with a great theme and a little
help from your friends, your party for the bride-to-be will be a
resounding success! You've got a lot of decisions to make, however,
so the sooner you get started, the better. The best way to get
started is to choose an overall motif, such as an
"around-the-clock" theme or an "alphabet" party theme.
Besides providing the host with a framework for planning the party,
some themes also give the attendees an idea of what kind of gift is
most needed by the happy couple. Below is a list of 10 fun
bridal-shower ideas to get you started. Whether you choose one of
these or come up with a theme of your own, you'll create a
memorable occasion for the bride and everyone who
attends.
Top 10
Bridal Shower Themes
1. Around-the-Clock
Shower -
Celebrating a bride-to-be who never takes a breath without checking
her schedule? Or maybe she only dreams of being on time. Either
way, she'll enjoy this clock-themed party. Each guest is assigned a
specific hour of the day (specify a.m. or p.m.) and brings a gift
appropriate for that time: pajamas and sheet sets for bedtime,
cookware for meal times, etc. Encourage guests to use their
imagination and have fun with the idea!
2.
Tea Time -
Create an elegant and intimate setting for this timeless theme.
Think "fancy": lace tablecloths and tea served with your best
china. For snacks, create a buffet of delicate scones, cookies,
petit fours, finger sandwiches and a variety of teas. For an added
touch, decorate with quotes from an inspirational female from the
19th or early 20th century, or opt for an outdoor "tea on the
patio" theme.
3.
Fiesta! -
For this type of party, spice things up Mexican style! Decorate
with brightly colored tablecloths, flowers, piñatas, Mexican
blankets and other sunny, south-of-the-border decor. Serve
refreshments buffet-style, with a selection of tortilla chips,
salsas, cheeses and other ingredients for make-it-yourself fajitas,
tacos or taco salads. Want to take the party up a notch? Hire a
local salsa instructor to provide a group dance
lesson!
4.
Couples Shower -
Unlike more traditional showers, this theme focuses on both the
bride- and groom-to-be. Simply build a party around one or more of
their mutual interests, such as the outdoors, do-it-yourself
projects, sports, gourmet cooking, etc., and let your imagination
go wild. The decorating and menu possibilities are endless! When
inviting guests, be sure to tell them it's a couples shower and
mention the chosen theme so they can tailor their gift to both
recipients' wants and needs. For a few laughs, take time to list a
few questions in advance and quiz the happy couple about how well
they know (or don't know) each other.
5.
Recipe-Box Shower -
Perfect for the bride who loves to cook! Gather favorite recipes
from Grandma, Mom, aunts and others to help make her kitchen an
instant success. Begin by purchasing a recipe box with coordinating
recipe cards. Then, send a couple of blank cards with every
invitation, asking guests to bring the cards--filled in with
favorite recipes--to the shower. Gifts might include a basket of
ingredients for one of the recipes and/or the cookware, small
appliances or serving pieces she'll use when making that specific
dish.
6.
Alphabet Shower -
This one is sure to get people's imaginations going! When sending
invitations, assign a specific letter of the alphabet to each guest
and encourage him or her to bring a gift starting with that letter.
Also, have each guest write down a marriage attribute that starts
with their assigned letter. At the shower, have everyone share
their marriage "pointers" and get ready for some lively discussion.
It's sure to be an evening to remember!
7.
Spa Time -
This theme is excellent for relieving the bride's pre-wedding
jitters and provides a fun day of relaxation and pampering for
everyone. When sending out the invitations, ask guests to wear
comfortable clothing such as loose-fitting loungewear and
flip-flops. When they arrive, treat them to light fare--fresh
fruit, salads and finger sandwiches--along with a full range of
"spa" treatments, such as manicures, pedicures, facials and
massages. For an extra treat, consider hiring an instructor for a
group yoga or meditation session.
8.
Honey-Do Shower -
Similar to the standard "Couples" shower (see above), this theme
caters to both the bride and groom. The idea is to pay tribute to
the never-ending list of household chores known as the "honey-do"
list. Gifts might include cookware or kitchen electrics for the one
responsible for the cooking, quick cleanup tools for the one who
typically straightens the house, hardware and power tools for the
do-it-yourselfer, and so on. When each gift is presented, have some
fun questioning the bride and groom about who will be responsible
for each chore!
9.
Picnic Party
- Looking for a more casual, laid-back shower theme? This is the
perfect choice for a truly stress-free celebration. Invite guests
to a quiet park setting where everyone can relax and have fun. No
stuffy bridal shower activities here! Instead, serve picnic fare
such as hot dogs and hamburgers and organize fun activities such as
a Frisbee relay, three-legged races and a horseshoe toss. For the
bride- and groom-to-be, fill a wicker picnic basket with all the
goodies they'll need for future picnics on their
own.
10.
Wild West Shower
- This theme is particularly fun for the couple who loves cowboys,
horses and country-western music. To begin, rent a nearby barn or
local dance hall and hire a country-western band or deejay. Cater a
delicious meal of barbecue with all the trimmings and decorate with
hay bales, cacti, wildflowers and red bandanas. Join forces with
imaginative friends to create a "wanted" poster of the bride and
groom and to stage a brief skit complete with bandits, cowgirls and
cowboy heroes. For extra fun, have someone teach the latest line
dance to guests and then see how many people you can fit on the
dance floor at once!
courtesy of ourweddingday.com
