Bridal Shower Magic

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.

•  Romantic Elegance Bridal Shower

•  Gourmet Bridal Shower

•  Around the Clock Bridal Shower

• Wedding Memory and Keepsake Bridal Shower

• Patio or Backyard Barbeque Bridal Shower

•  Wine Tasting Bridal Shower

•  The Blushing Bride Bridal Shower

• Other Unique Bridal Shower Themes

  Romantic Elegance Bridal Shower:

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.

 Gift Ideas:

A crystal heart candy dish or trinket box

• 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)

• A CD of romantic music

• 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!

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  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

• Spice rack

• 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

• Self-sharpening knife set

• 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

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  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

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    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

• 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.

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  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

• 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

• Utensil caddy (for utensils, condiments and napkins)

• Several guests could jointly purchase a barbeque or piece of patio furniture

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  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

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    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!!!).

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  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". 

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