Wedding Shower Theme Ideas
It's No Longer Only About the Girls or the Kitchen Appliances
Wedding showers used to come in only one variety. They were pink, frilly, and all women. But times have changed and while the traditional option is still going strong, there are now many variations to suit the most modern bride. It has become popular to include men as well as women at many showers. At a Jack and Jill shower, as these are called, you'll want to tone down the frills and ribbons, if not eliminate them altogether. Choose games that will be suitable for both genders and serve hearty food that will satisfy everyone.
So the next time you're in charge of your best gal pal's big event, take a moment to consider these themes to see which one is the best fit for your favorite bride-to-be.
The Around-the-Clock Shower
Assign guests a different time of the day or room of the home to guide their gift purchases. The morning gifts might include a waffle iron, coffee pot, and toaster. Dinnertime gifts could include cooking utensils, pots, or dinnerware. Nighttime gifts might include bath or bedroom items such as towels or sheets. Ask each guest in order of their assigned time of the day to present her gift and explain how it will help the bride and groom. Decorations could incorporate clocks and numbers with the traditional party dcor.
The Kitchen Shower
Do the bride and groom enjoy cooking together? The groom will become as excited as the bride as they open their dream kitchen appliances and gourmet food preparation equipment at this Jack and Jill shower. Ask each guest to bring along a favorite recipe to add to a personalized cookbook created for the bride and groom. Turn this into a culinary event by inviting a personal chef to teach a cooking class as part of the shower's activities. The menu cooked by the chef will become the food for the party. Be sure to ask the chef for beverage recommendations prior to the shower so that you have the correct drinks to accompany the recipes.
The Lingerie Shower
For a bride who has been living independently and has already furnished her kitchen and home, a lingerie shower may be just the thing. Decide whether your bride is more the Frederick's of Hollywood or Talbots type of gal and pass this along to your guests. Sachets, scented drawer liners, and body lotions in her favorite scents would all make wonderful wishing well gifts at this shower, which is a natural for a girls-only party. Add to the theme by serving food that makes a good midnight snack. This might include mini pizzas, bowls of ice cream, small ham and cheese sandwiches, and cups of hot cocoa.
The Spa Shower
Only the bridesmaids and closest female friends or family are invited to a spa shower with the bride. At this shower everyone is treated to a manicure, pedicure or facial. It's intended to be a relaxing day for the bride and the other women helping prepare for the wedding. Light, healthy food and beverages are offered at this shower. Often the gift to the bride is that all of the guests share the expense of her services.
A Honey Do Shower
Perfect for the couple who has all of the kitchen appliances, linens, and other traditional gifts, this shower focuses more on the handyman items needed by the groom. These gifts will help him to fulfill those "honey do" requests sure to follow after the honeymoon. Items will include hammers, screwdrivers, power drills, levels, gardening tools, and car care supplies. Turn a wheelbarrow into the "wishing well" for this shower and fill it with seed packets, paintbrushes, toilet plungers, and other practical household items. Remember to include a large jar for the bride to fill with her special "honey do" requests. Beer, pizza, sub sandwiches, brownies, and chocolate chip cookies will keep the handyman vibe of this Jack and Jill shower going strong.
A Honeymoon Shower
Tie the shower theme into the honeymoon destination. Decorate with posters of the honeymoon locale, and serve food that originates from that destination. Give the couple gifts that will help make their travel go smoothly such as carry-on bags, toiletry cases, portable alarm clocks, and currency translators.
A Stock the Bar Shower
Turn this into a sophisticated cocktail party, ideal for a Jack and Jill shower. Serve hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, wine, cheese, and elegant pastries. As part of the evening's entertainment, you might ask a wine expert to drop in to conduct a short wine tasting. Or invite a bartender to give a short course in mixing favorite cocktails. Gifts with an entertaining theme would be perfect for the couple. These might include a variety of glassware, cocktail picks, appetizer plates, serving trays, wine chillers, or favorite party music. Likewise, guests can "stock the bar" by bringing mixers, bottles of wine, liquor, and after dinner liqueurs. Lower the lights, turn on the music and encourage mingling among the guests.
