Friday, July 25, 2008

Bridal Showers - Decorative Theme Ideas

There must be a billion different theme ideas for bridal showers, so if you’re doing the planning, it’s hard to narrow down to one great idea. For starters, think of your bride and groom, their personalities, favorite activities, colors, etc. and try to work a theme around that. For a jump start, try any of the following:

1. Tea Party Your setting can be indoors at a home, in a restaurant or hotel, or outside on a patio, in a park or an actual garden. Invitations could be in the shape of a pretty teapot. Any colors will work but the bride’s colors are a good choice. If you are doing the tea and food yourself, you’ll need pretty tea cups and plates, several flavors of brewed tea, and a selection of fingers foods such as tiny sandwiches, teapot shaped cookies, or bakery tea cakes. A lovely silver tea service is the perfect centerpiece. Ask your guests to dress accordingly, in dresses and hats, if they can. When the fun is over and the gifts unwrapped, send your guests home with a small packet of herbal tea as a party favor.

2. Pink Poker Party – I found this cute party idea online and since the Wedding Belles are known for their weekly poker games, I couldn’t resist including it. There are many ideas here and a video showing how to make a darling invitation on your computer. Pink is the word and everything, including the drinks which can be pink lemonade or pink martinis. Consider a shower cake like the one shown, only made in pink and decorated with playing cards, a pink and white chocolate cheesecake or any of the other recipes included at this great site: http://www.celebrations.com/article/ladies-only-pink-poker-party

3. Fiesta, Luau, or Asian garden party – Cultural themes are very popular and you can find all the info and paper decorations online or at your party store. All three can be set around a swimming pool if that’s available, or anywhere outdoors or indoors. An Asian party, especially would be fun and unique. Incorporate paper fans and lanterns and parasols as part of the decor, eat with chopsticks and serve sushi, mini egg rolls, fortune or almond cookies, or even Chinese carry-out. Small, colorful take-out boxes would make terrific favor containers.

4. Cowboy – Invite your guests with a cowboy boot design or even better, create ‘wanted poster’ invites for each of your guests. Use hay bales for seats, burlap for tablecloths or the country look of red and white checked. Decorate with anything western – photos of horses or cowboys, horseshoes, bandannas. Wanted posters of the bride and groom are especially fun and easy to make on your computer. Your food can be a full out barbecue or simple fare like pretzels, chocolates in the shape of hats and boots (available online from Oklahoma Chocolatier BedreChocolates.com), or have a cake or cookies in the shape of a wagon wheel or boot. Yee-hah!

5. Wine and Cheese Shower – Provide a variety of cheese and wines for guests to sample. Include the label beside each one. Party favors can be s wine glass. Invitations can be computer generated on Word with a wine glass art. Decorate with elegant flowers, lace table clothes, etc.

6. Music, Music, Music! – Plan your shower around a particular music theme. The 50’s are always fun but consider, too, the big band era, disco, the psychedelic 60’s or even a classical evening in fancy dress. Your taste, your choice!

Most of the showers I’ve attended have been simple cake and punch or finger food showers with decorations of wedding belles or photos of the bride and groom as kids. At one shower that stands out in my mind, the bride brought a large painting of her and the groom. She asked all the guests to sign the blank areas around the painting. Today that painting hangs in her home as a sweet reminder of a very special time.

So how about you? Have you seen any sentimental or unique things done at showers? Can you brainstorm any other cool theme ideas?

Labels: books, bridal showers, romance, tea party, wedding planners

posted by Linda Goodnight @ 3:00 AM  10 Comments

Friday, June 13, 2008

Bridal Shower Tips--You're Invited!

In the weeks to come, I’ll be blogging on everything and anything related to wedding showers. So if you’re interested in the topic, keep checking back for more.

Start Early. A shower should take place about six weeks prior to the wedding and may take several weeks to plan.

Who’s the host? Traditionally, the maid of honor leads the charge, assisted by the bride’s maids.

Guests. Mothers of the bride and groom will likely have guest lists. Decide in advance how many you wish to invite, if the shower is for ladies only or couples, and if it is to be an all-inclusive or a more intimate gathering of close friends and relatives. Keep in mind the importance of introducing all these people to one another.

Invitations. Many hosts today use email or hand-crafted, computer generated invitations. The latter can be personalized and quite lovely while saving time and money. If you choose to order printed invitations, order early.

Budget. Decide in advance but don’t break the bank. A beautiful shower can be accomplished on a limited budget.

Refreshments. Traditionally, punch and cake were the mainstays of bridal showers. Today, the sky is the limit. Choose from-hor’dourves, fruit and veggie arrangements, a buffet meal, or something as fun as a chocolate fountain/fondue. Keep the bride and guests in mind when making the decision.

Theme or Type. Again, consult with the bride. A typical bridal shower includes any and all household items. But perhaps the bride would prefer a linen shower or a kitchen shower.

a. Groom shower. In recent years, the groom shower has gained some popularity. Generally given by the best man, gifts range from tools to yard or car care items-anything that says ‘guy’. Consequently, the games and refreshments will also be male-focused. A game of pool, a round of poker, some pizza or chip and dip. The important thing is giving the groom his equal due.

Games. Though not a must, at least one game is a way to break the ice and create an entertaining atmosphere. Bridal shower games are easy to find on-line. Kits can also be purchased for more elaborate fun.

Most importantly, have fun!

I’d love to hear about anything unique, cute, or special you experienced at a shower. What kind of themes have you encountered? Have you played any fun games?

Please share your thoughts and tips, do’s and don’ts for a successful bridal shower! I’ll be back with more….

Labels: bridal showers, linda goodnight, romance, wedding planning, wedding showers

posted by Linda Goodnight @ 3:00 AM  13 Comments