If you're planning to host a shower for
the bride-to-be, you'll want your special party to be a
creative and memorable occasion. With our 15 unique
bridal party themes, you're guaranteed to
"shower" the bride-to-be with a lifetime of
memories.
What bride wouldn't love to be
"showered with romance"? You can decorate with
romantic Victorian themes such as hearts, flowers or
cherubs and accent the room with delicate
Victorian-style accessories such as lace gloves,
sachets, lace doilies, pot-pouri, an antique tea set,
hat boxes and vintage wedding photos. In keeping with
the heart-shaped theme, those dainty sandwiches can be
cut with a heart shaped cookie cutter and served with
sparkling pink wine, punch or champagne. Dainties can be
served on heart foil or paper doilies. Decorated heart
sugar cookies wrapped in pink cellophane and tied with a
delicate satin bow would make a lovely party favor. For
a truly romantic shower invitation, purchase a selection
of handcrafted floral papers and decorate with gold
embossed stamps using the heart, flower or cherub theme.
Accent the invitation with a delicate satin bow and gold
heart charm...a wonderful keepsake for the bride's
memory book.
A crystal heart candy dish or trinket
box
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An "Evening of Romance"
gift basket (filled with candles, scented oils,
bubble bath and bath oils, soaps, massage oil, pot-pourri,
chocolate truffles, champagne, movie rental
certificates)
-
Lingerie (and sexy briefs for the
groom!)
-
"A Bath For Two" (his and
her matching towels, bath soaps, oils and lotions,
candles)
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A CD of romantic music
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A gift book with a "Love and
Romance" theme
-
An elegant frame personalized with
the couples names and wedding date
-
A picnic basket filled with a
tablecloth, napkins, cutlery for two, wine, bread
and cheese and two wine glasses
-
A gift certificate for a romantic
dinner out at the couple's favorite restaurant, or
perhaps several guests could jointly present an
overnight getaway at a romantic inn or bed and
breakfast
-
If the newlyweds are without a
fireplace in their first home, there are actually
video tapes you can buy that have a crackling fire
playing throughout the entire video. It's just like
the real thing!
Gourmet Shower:
A gourmet shower is the perfect
theme for couples who enjoy "heating up the
kitchen". Simply ask the guests to bring items
that are related to cooking gourmet style! You can
make invitations in the shape of a chef's hat or
simply purchase invitations with a gourmet food or
kitchen theme. You can decorate like a quaint bistro
with red and white checkered tablecloths and a
candle and bottle of wine on each table. For a
whimsical touch, print out the menu and beverage
"specials" with chalk on a blackboard or
print menus for each table. For each table, wrap the
utensils in napkins and place inside the recyclable
cardboard "six pack" containers.
Gift Ideas:
-
Gift certificates for gourmet
cooking classes
-
Fondue pot
-
Canister set
-
Crock pot
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Spice rack
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Kitchen utensils and cookware
-
Gourmet dips, sauces and
nonperishable foods
-
Cookbooks, recipe books/cards
-
Gourmet food basket filled with a
variety of kitchen delights
-
Candles and candle holders
-
Cutting board
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Self-sharpening knife set
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Napkins, placemats, tablecloths
-
"Italian Night" (pastas,
pasta sauces, pasta strainer, spices, pizza pan,
pizza cutter, checkered napkins and tablecloth,
cheese grater, pasta or pizza cookbook)
-
"Chinese Night" (wok,
Chinese cookbook, chopsticks, bamboo vegetable
steamer)
-
Several guests could jointly
purchase a more elaborate gift such as a bread
maker, cappuccino machine, indoor electric grill,
food processor, pressure cooker or waffle iron
Around-The-Clock Shower:
Guests are asked to bring a gift
that would be used by the bride and groom during a
specific hour of the day. You can send each guest a
handcrafted invitation in the shape of a clock with
their "specific hour" indicated by the
hands drawn on the clockface. Gifts can be organized
and presented in order of the time of day: morning
first, then afternoon, then evening. As the gifts
are being opened, you could serve refreshments based
on that part of the day. For "the
morning", champagne and orange juice with
miniature muffins or bagels, then coffee and
sandwiches for "the afternoon". For late
evening, perhaps popcorn and a light after-dinner
liqueur.
Gift Ideas:
-
"Morning" Gift Ideas:
Alarm clock, bath towels, bed linens and pillows,
coffee maker, toaster, coffee mugs, gourmet coffees
and breakfast mixes, make-up mirror, make-up
carrying case, vanity mirror
-
"Mid-Morning" Gift Ideas:
Cookware suitable for making brunches, muffin tins,
waffle iron, bagel mixer, pancake and muffin mixes
-
"Mid-Day" Gift Ideas:
Picnic basket filled with napkins, utensils, wine
etc., appointment book, gift certificates for lunch
at the bride-to-be's favorite restaurant, assorted
gourmet teas, gift certificate for a facial,
manicure or pedicure
-
"Evening" Gift Ideas:
Wine, candles, a CD of romantic music, bath oil,
wine glasses, anything related to cooking a romantic
evening dinner, bed linens or comforter
Wedding Memory & Keepsake Shower:
Guests are asked to purchase
"keepsake gifts" or any item related to
preserving the photographs and special memories of
the bride-to-be's upcoming wedding. It would be
helpful to list some gift ideas on the shower
invitation.Close relatives could bring a special
family heirloom and a wedding photo to display on a
decorated table. The invitation could feature
childhood photos of the bride and groom and a recent
one (perhaps the engagement photo) in the center.
Gift Ideas:
-
Wedding Time Capsule
-
Wedding memory albums and
scrapbooking supplies
-
Bridal keepsake box
-
Picture frames (could frame a
favorite photo of the couple)
-
Photo albums
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Wedding guest book and pen
-
Wedding Time Capsule
-
Any keepsake items the bride
collects (eg. figurines)
-
Any personalized items with the
bride and groom's names, wedding date and photo
-
Disposable cameras for the wedding
-
"First Christmas Together"
ornament
-
Keepsake shadow box to frame the
bride's most treasured keepsakes
-
Handcrafted keepsakes using the
couple's wedding invitation
-
Several guests could jointly
purchase a hope chest
-
If there are talented quilters on
the guest list, a "memory quilt" using
photo transfer paper and family photos makes a
treasured gift and heirloom.
Patio or Backyard Barbeque Shower:
If the bride and groom love to
entertain in "the great outdoors", this
shower theme is perfect! You can hold the actual
shower on an outdoor patio, deck, gazebo or in the
backyard on picnic tables and lawn chairs. You can
decorate with a garden theme using props such as
trellises, white arbors, and wishing wells accented
with fresh or silk greenery and florals. Decorate a
special patio chair for the bride-to-be with tulle
netting and silk florals. Be sure to have lots of
outdoor candles and patio lights for a late
afternoon or evening celebration.
Gift Ideas:
-
Barbeque utensils, cookbooks and
gourmet sauces
-
Barbeque style apron
-
Plastic patio tableware and serving
dishes
-
Tiki torches
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Outdoor candles, patio lights and
lanterns
-
Plastic ice bucket
-
Patio seat cushions and matching
umbrella
-
Protective fly screen food toppers
(available at houseware and specialty shops)
-
Outdoor tablecloths
-
A barbeque gift basket
-
Coasters, paper napkins, napkin
holders
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Utensil caddy (for utensils,
condiments and napkins)
-
Several guests could jointly
purchase a barbeque or piece of patio furniture
Wine Tasting Shower
You can create a very memorable
occasion by combining the shower with a casual wine
and cheese theme. Some guests are asked to bring two
bottles of their favorite wine, one for tasting at
the shower and the other for the bride and groom.
Other guests are asked to bring related wine
accessories or even items relating to cooking and
entertaining. Invitations can be handcrafted in the
shape of a wine bottle with the information (and
perhaps a photo of the couple) on the label. Or you
can purchase invitations that have motifs that
complement the wine and cheese theme (such as
grapes).
Plan a simple menu of assorted meat
and cheese trays, crackers, dips, fruit, french
bread and appetizers such as cheese puffs and
miniature quiches.
Gift Ideas:
-
Wine goblets
-
"Make-Your-Own" wine kit
-
Wine rack
-
A book on wine tasting
-
A gift certificate to join a mail
order wine club
-
A gift certificate for customized
wine labels
-
Fancy corkscrew
-
Wine chiller or decanter
-
Cheese serving tray
-
Cutting board
-
Candles and candle holders
-
Non-perishable gourmet food items
-
Knife set
-
A book on entertaining
The "Blushing Bride" Shower:
Simply combine a
"trousseau" or lingerie shower with a
bachelorette party and you've got the makings for a
real "blushing bride". This type of shower
is typically for the young gals and is hosted by the
bride's wedding attendants, typically the maid or
matron of honor. You can plan on taking the bride
"out on the town" after the shower or
perhaps you plan a "slumber party" theme
or a weekend getaway with the girls! A fun idea
would be to "roast" (instead of
"toast") the bride by sharing funny
stories and photographs. A visit to your local gag
gift store or novelty shop will give you lots of
decorating and gift ideas. (Since I'm far too shy to
list these naughty gift ideas, you'll just have to
use your imagination!!!).
Other Unique
Shower Themes Include:
"Gift Certificate Shower" (shower the
bride and groom with gifts that they can choose
themselves or buy specific gift certificates that
you know they will enjoy)
"Alphabet" shower (guests must buy an
item that begins with a certain letter of the
alphabet)
"Bon Voyage" shower (guests buy items
for the honeymoon)
"Around The House" shower (guests buy
items for a particular room of the house such as
kitchen, living room, bathroom, bedroom, bar, etc.)
"The Great Outdoors" shower (for
couples that like to bike, camp, hike, canoe, etc.)
Home decor shower (any item related to
decorating the home)
Holiday shower (Christmas, Halloween, Easter,
4th of July, Thanksgiving, etc.)
Gift basket shower (could use any theme such as
a kitchen, bath or honeymoon basket).
Bridal Shower Magic contributed by
"Storybook
Wedding and Honeymoon Collages"
- Your Precious Wedding and Honeymoon Photos are
Transformed into the Ultimate Keepsake".
