You want to find a theme that fits your guest of honor’s uniqueness — something that represents her personality. The “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”-themed bridal shower is so been there, done that. Besides, you’ve never seen your friend in anything but jeans. What you want is a memorable event that will leave your guests talking, posting and Tweeting about it for weeks. What makes the bride special?
For a Bride Who Loves to Cook
A kitchen-themed shower helps the couple build their cache of cookware, dishes, utensils and gadgets.
These cute cupcakes feature kitchen gadgets sculpted from fondant frosting. From Flickr user anafuji.
Guests: On your invitation, ask each guest to email you a favorite family recipe (ask if they have a photo of the dish). Ask each contributor to share a short story about what the recipe means to her. Put together a scrapbook/cookbook you’ll present to the bride at the shower. Each page of the book will have the contributor’s name, recipe and story.
Big-budget idea: Hire a chef to prepare your food during the event. He or she can teach the bride-to-be and her guests to prepare a gourmet meal.
Little-budget idea: Turn your home (or the location of the party) into a restaurant, complete with printed, laminated menus, a chalkboard with “specials” and formal place settings.
Inspired By the Couple’s Honeymoon
If you know where the couple is headed for their honeymoon, tie your theme to their destination. If they’re headed somewhere tropical, Party Pail decorations has an “Aloha Summer” accessories set that includes the coolest little palm tree party favor boxes.
Guests: Your guests wear beach attire, keeping it rated PG or G, depending on the ages of your youngest guests. Ask your guests to sponsor their honeymoon via TravelersJoy.com with spa certificates, diving excursions or dinner through a wedding registry for honeymoons.
Big-budget idea: Location, location, location. Make it a weekend at a local resort. A waterfront location with a beach (no matter what time of year) is even better.
Little-budget idea: Inventory your list of friends. Who has the best backyard? Start buttering her up, and turn her backyard into a do-it-yourself tropical paradise.
Perfect for Spa Girls
Not much explanation needed here. What girl doesn’t like a day of pampering? Many day spas have bridal or girls day out packages with discounted pricing for larger groups.
Let everyone enjoy a day of pampering. Image by Grand Velas Puerto Vallarta via Flickr.
Guests: Allow the guests to choose from a menu of services.
Big-budget idea: Turn it into a girlfriends’ retreat. Start with a yoga class, followed by massages, facials and manicures. Arrange for guests to shower, prep, and dress for a lunch hosted by you.
Little-budget idea: TheKnot.com says it’s bad manners to ask guests to pay for their meals. If you can’t afford a day at the spa for the whole guest list, reserve the spa’s restaurant for your shower. Give guests the option of coming before or staying after the shower for some me-time.
For the Yogini
We borrowed this idea from RealSimple.com. A yoga-themed shower is perfect for the health and fitness bride. Reserve your favorite yoga studio for a private class for your guests. Yes, even her Great Aunt Georgia can stretch and get comfy.
Guests: Ask them to wear comfortable clothing, and have yoga mats for newbies. Stay away from hot yoga, so your guests aren’t sweaty messes after the session.
Big-budget idea: For party favors, give the guests yoga mats, matching towels and water bottles with the bride and groom’s wedding date.
Little-budget idea: Most yoga studios have loaner mats. Do-it-yourself catering will save hundreds of dollars.
