Bridal Shower: Ensure Success; Be Different

The old tradition of bridal showers was a way of a bride to have gifts of everyday items with which to start married life and establish her own home. The modern bridal shower is still an occasion for giving gifts but they are now a chance for the bride to celebrate with her friends and family.

Bridal showers these days are pretty predictable; the guests arrive, then play bridal shower games before they watch the bride open her gifts, after which they eat and drink before going home. Each bridal shower is the same as any other.

How would it be if you planned a different type of bridal shower? What creative ideas could you use to spice up the plain bridal shower? Here are some different ideas to help you with the planning of a bridal shower with a difference, one that is certain to be talked about for weeks after.

Use your imagination to find different venue possibilities. How about a picnic in a local park? See if you can use the bandstand at a nearby park or pick a shady spot under trees where you can spread picnic rugs. Organize some of the big market umbrellas to have there in case it rains.

What about a progressive bridal shower? Everyone starts out at one house for some games, then moves to another location for wine and cheese while the bride opens her gifts, then finishes up at a third house for dessert and coffee. Plan you games to actually involve the driving time between the different houses.

A small, intimate bridal shower can successfully be held in a coffee shop. Look for unique venues that have something special about them.

Create a scene in your home that fits the theme, like an Arabian harem, a western dance hall or a tropical island. Be extravagant with decorations and ask the guests to come in fancy dress for the theme. Try to be different and come up with creative and fun alternatives to the usual themes.

You might decide to hold the bridal shower at a different time to the traditional Saturday afternoon. The bridal shower will have a very different feel if it is held on a weekday evening or as a breakfast. To allow guests their weekends free, hold the bridal shower at a different time to normal.

Be creative when choosing a theme and be inspired by the venue for a complete story. A bridal theme isn't the only theme for a bridal shower. If the venue is in a home, try to think of a theme that reflects the bride's interests. Perhaps she enjoys a hobby or a sport, like golf or yoga. Choose any of these activities to be the theme for the bridal shower and when the guests come dressed up to the theme, more fun is assured.

Look to your creative theme and unique venue to suggest ideas for the invitations. Maybe you can create a 3D style of invitation that represents the theme. Maybe the invitations could be hand delivered by someone dressed up in the theme or by a courier company, at a time when people are most likely to be at home.

When planning the food and refreshments, again, look to the theme for inspiration. Try out some different recipes in advance and use your creativity to present the food. Ask friends who love to cook to give you a hand with the food preparation.

Take a look at Bridal Shower Food for more details. You will find the bridal shower games section very interesting!