Creative Bridal Shower Themes

One of the jobs of a bridesmaid is to help throw a bridal shower for the bride. Depending on your personality, this can either be a very fun task, or a very daunting one. If you are not accustomed to entertaining, you may not know where to begin.

A great way to give a party a distinctive style is to pick a theme. The theme is some idea or design element that you choose to help bring the whole event together. It is fine to be eclectic, but you do not want to host a bridal shower that seems to have no direction or unified look. The theme will give you ideas about the invitations, decorations, food, music, games, and maybe even the gift.

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There are some themes that are very traditional for bridal showers. One popular idea is a kitchen based shower. It dates back to the time when it was expected that every wife would be a homemaker. In considering this type of old-fashioned theme today, it is important to know the bride well. If she is a real "foodie", then no doubt some gifts from the gourmet cooking shop would thrill her. However, if the bride is very career-oriented and has no interest in cooking, she might be insulted by a kitchen themes bridal shower.

These days it is more common to pick the theme based on the bride's interests or her personal style. For instance, I once co-hosted a bridal shower for a very dear friend who loved cherries (she even had a tattoo of a cherry on her shoulder). We chose invitations with a cherry pattern on them, had dishes of chocolate covered cherries, and for the favors, I handmade soap with a cherry design. Of course, not everything at the shower was based on cherries; we served many of her favorite foods, and chose flowers in her favorite color combination, purple and orange. Remember to use your theme as a starting point, but not to take it over the top.

You can also use the bride's wedding as an idea for the bridal shower. For example, if she is having a destination wedding, then why not throw a beach themed shower? It would be a great warm-up to the main event. You could send invitations with seashells or starfish on them, fill hurricane lanterns with shells and white candles for decorations, and ask all of the guests to bring a beach themed gift. The bridesmaids might even chip in together on a special present, such as a piece of handmade jewelry for the bride to wear at her wedding. For a destination wedding, a casual piece of wedding jewelry handmade with organic looking keshi pearls would be a great idea.

Another source of ideas for a bridal shower could be the bride's background. Let's say that the bride is a Southern belle who has relocated to New York City. She would be touched to have a shower that featured her favorite Southern things. You could serve regional foods and decorate with magnolias floating in water.

The most important thing to remember when choosing a theme for a bridal shower is that it should look like the bride. This is not the occasion to inject the taste of the hosts. Ask yourself, "would the bride love this?", and if the answer is yes, you will know that you have found the perfect theme.

Creative Bridal Shower Themes

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Beach Theme Bridal Shower Favors

Looking for the perfect beach theme bridal shower favors? Indoors or out, sun, sand, and ocean breezes come to mind with this party. You'll have a variety of choices to help reinforce this feeling.
See if you like any of the following suggestions:

o Book markers come in a variety of designs. Choose from an ocean view, beach ball, sand castle, or
starfish.
o Scented seashell soaps wrapped in netting, and tied with rope or raffia for a beach look.
o A sand castle tea light is a traditional symbol of the beach with a romantic feel.
o Mini lanterns with a tea light inside. If your party is at night, light them at each guest's place, for a special glow.
o Photo frames come in an assortment of cute shapes...beach chair, flip flops, and beach buckets. Make this favor memorable by inserting a picture of the couple, ahead of time. Another idea is to put the bride's name and date of the shower, in the opening.
o Personalized bottles of water are great for the summer heat. Put a beach saying, and shower information on the label.
o Serve your guests a tropical drink in a fancy glass. Let them take the glass home as their favor.
o Choose mini pails in your party colors. Fill with candy, and add a hang tag.
o Shell and starfish shaped chocolate candies. Candy is always well received.
o Place card holders come in an assortment of beach designs. Sit at each place for a festive look.
o Mini straw bags are another recognizable symbol. Fill with sand and shells, or candy.
o Cookies come in beach shapes. If you bake, make your own.

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There are many more ideas for beach theme bridal shower favors. Choose an item that reinforces the feel of your party. Your guests will appreciate the gesture.

Beach Theme Bridal Shower Favors

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