It's been the convention, that showers were a ladies only event. Today hosts may plan a shower that includes couples and men. What is most critical in planning a successful shower is to create a theme for which the guests can choose gifts for the Bride. The party motif can then be planned around the theme. WedNet's research team has put together some shower ideas with a splash of creativity and dose of imagination. Love and Romance The theme "The honeymoon never has to end" should inspire guests to bring gifts that reflect Love and Romance. Invitations could be printed on romantic cards with red lettering. Shower Setting Create a romantic motif in the room with candlelight, vases filled with red roses, romantic music. Serve the foods of love such as strawberries and cream, lobster, caviar, and oysters, chocolates and champagne, truffles or any chocolates with fruit. Gift Ideas Party Favors Scented candles Chocolate truffles Massage oils Red roses Satin Sheets Heart shaped boxes with candy Books on Eroticism / Love Lingerie / sleepwear Bubble & aromatherapy bath products Books of Love Poetry High Tech The high tech theme may appeal to the modern professional Bride and her interests. Invitations could be printed on computer paper on even on disk and should suggest a professional motif and gift theme. Shower Setting Have a shower in the office, conference room or lobby. Set up a room in a home with a computer or desk for the gifts to be displayed. Serve foods with a high tech feel such as sushi, cold hors d'oeuvres, cheeses, cocktails or cold beer. Gift Ideas Party Favors Computer software Personalized pen and pencil set Telephone or answering machines Personalized ceramic coffee mugs or coasters Desk lamp Stationary Computer accessories Personalized leather address date book Date book Desk accessories Gifts certificate to computer store Health and Fitness For the health-conscious couple a fitness theme can be great fun and inspire great gifts. Invitations could be printed on cards shaped like a tennis shoe, tennis racket or heart. Shower Setting A local health club is a perfect place to host this type of shower. Decorating your home with a sports/athletic theme or better yet host this event outdoors in a park or near a favorite outdoor sports area. Set up a juice bar and serve healthy snacks such as raw vegetables, salads, and fruit platters. Bagels and lowfat spreads are a natural. For dessert serve angel food cake with a lemon, cherry or strawberry topping. Frozen yogurt is another favorite among the health conscious. Gift Ideas Party Favors Juicer or blender Drawstring bags with energy bars Scale Workout accessories Handheld weights Workout outfits Gift Certificates to Sport stores Exercise gear Sport style Walkman Radio Travel and the Honeymoon If the couple is enamored by travel and have made their honeymoon plan known, the inspiration for this shower can be quite fun. Send invitations printed on maps of the world, the location of their honeymoon or favorite travel destination. Postcards of their destination site can make for a charming invitation. Shower Setting If the couple is planning to travel to England have an English Tea Party; to Italy have a Pasta Party, to Hawaii host a Luau, to Spain host a party with flamenco dancers and paella. Gift Ideas Party Favors Luggage Keychains with the planet Earth attached Travel Alarm Clocks Maps with a map holder Guidebooks Language tapes Travel Diary Honeymoon "Love Gifts" Gourmet and Specialty Beverages Food for thought and for entertainment is the theme for this shower. Send invitations on recipe cards and ask guest to bring their favorite recipes to the shower for the bride. Shower Setting We naturally gravitate to the kitchen, so planning this affair in a large attractive kitchen can be cozy and nourishing. Rent bar stools so that guests can sit up at the kitchen counters. Have blenders out for preparing frozen fruit drinks (with and without alcohol). Have crock pots and chaffing dishes with your favorite gourmet dishes such a cioppino, exotic stews, pasta, seafood dishes served with homemade breads. To compliment the desserts offer gourmet coffee, tea or better yet make espresso and cappuccino drinks. Gift Ideas Party Favors Espresso machines A coffee mug and Coffee Beans Coffee brewers (French Press) Gourmet specialty Teas Gourmet kitchen appliances Tin of Specialty Cookies or Biscotti Kitchen accessories Baking sets Recipe books Basket filled with gourmet condiments Bed, Bath and Comfort With today's stressful lifestyle a shower that gives the bride the comforts to make her feel pampered, relaxed, and gorgeous make a great theme. Send perfumed invitations with sprigs of lavender letting your guests know that this a pampering party. Shower Setting Host this event at a spa or health resort. If at home create a comfortable setting in the backyard with comfortable lawn furniture. Hire a professional masseuse to give your guest 10 minute foot, neck or back massages. Playing soothing music in the background, serve healthy spa like fare such as grilled vegetables and fish, fresh fruits, mineral waters. Gift Ideas Party Favors Spa certificates Body lotions Body lotions and oils Bath or massage oil Body care accessories Specialty soaps Massage certificates Comfort music Manicure sets Garden & Home Improvements A particularly fun theme for the bride and guests alike revolves around the outdoor and home improvements motif. Send invitations with a package of gardening seeds or dried flowers inside. Let your guest know to dress casual or in working clothes. If the bride and groom have already selected a home this would be a perfect site for a gardening party where each guest brings a shrub or flowers to plant. Shower Setting If the future home the bride is not available any garden would be ideal. Serve platters of fresh vegetables and fruits, cornbread and savory muffins, quiches or frittata, fresh fruit juices and strawberries dipped in chocolate. Gift Ideas Party Favors Gardening tools Terracotta pots with violets or geraniums Gardening decorations Potted herbs for a herb garden Outdoor plants, shrubs, trees Flower pot filled with fruit candy Hand or power tools Gardening or working gloves Gardening books Home improvement books Victorian Leisure and Romance This theme is based on a Victorian idea of leisure and romanticism in a garden setting with either a patio or sun room available. Send invitations with a old world Victorian theme asking your guest to dress with a Victorian theme in mind. Shower Setting Set up a game of croquet outside, play Victorian music, english tea, scones, cucumber sandwiches, yorkshire pudding, fruit cakes and serve a fine Sherry. Gift Ideas Party Favors Lace Tablecloths Sachets made with lace and silk ribbons Antique Accessories Little baskets filled with lavender soaps Antique Lamps Lace Lingerie Old World Perfumes and Soaps Stationary Home Entertainment for the Connoisseur For the couple who appreciate fine wines, beers, liquors and music and movies plan a coed party where guests are encouraged to bring gifts to stock their cellar and movie and music collection. Send out invitations that have wine or Hollywood or music motifs. Shower Setting Set up a wine, beer and liquor tasting table. Serve fine cheese, pate, caviar, with breads and assorted crackers. Offer grapes, sliced apples, cheesecake and chocolates. Play videos of some classic wedding movies such as Four Weddings and a Funeral, Father of the Bride, etc....Play classical music in the background. This can be setup in a private home's entertainment room or a quiet restaurant bar. Gift Ideas Party Favors Movies Custom imprinted wine openers CD's Gift certificates to the movie theater Audio or Video Accessories Custom imprinted wine glasses Fine Wines Microbrewery beer collection Decanters Wine Racks Wine, Liquor or shot Glasses © WedNet LLC. All rights reserved.
It's been the convention, that showers were a ladies only event. Today hosts may plan a shower that includes couples and men. What is most critical in planning a successful shower is to create a theme for which the guests can choose gifts for the Bride. The party motif can then be planned around the theme. WedNet's research team has put together some shower ideas with a splash of creativity and dose of imagination.
Love and Romance
The theme "The honeymoon never has to end" should inspire guests to bring gifts that reflect Love and Romance. Invitations could be printed on romantic cards with red lettering.
High Tech
The high tech theme may appeal to the modern professional Bride and her interests. Invitations could be printed on computer paper on even on disk and should suggest a professional motif and gift theme.
Health and Fitness
For the health-conscious couple a fitness theme can be great fun and inspire great gifts. Invitations could be printed on cards shaped like a tennis shoe, tennis racket or heart.
Travel and the Honeymoon
If the couple is enamored by travel and have made their honeymoon plan known, the inspiration for this shower can be quite fun. Send invitations printed on maps of the world, the location of their honeymoon or favorite travel destination. Postcards of their destination site can make for a charming invitation.
If the couple is planning to travel to England have an English Tea Party; to Italy have a Pasta Party, to Hawaii host a Luau, to Spain host a party with flamenco dancers and paella.
Gourmet and Specialty Beverages
Food for thought and for entertainment is the theme for this shower. Send invitations on recipe cards and ask guest to bring their favorite recipes to the shower for the bride.
Bed, Bath and Comfort
With today's stressful lifestyle a shower that gives the bride the comforts to make her feel pampered, relaxed, and gorgeous make a great theme. Send perfumed invitations with sprigs of lavender letting your guests know that this a pampering party.
Garden & Home Improvements
A particularly fun theme for the bride and guests alike revolves around the outdoor and home improvements motif. Send invitations with a package of gardening seeds or dried flowers inside. Let your guest know to dress casual or in working clothes. If the bride and groom have already selected a home this would be a perfect site for a gardening party where each guest brings a shrub or flowers to plant.
Victorian Leisure and Romance
This theme is based on a Victorian idea of leisure and romanticism in a garden setting with either a patio or sun room available. Send invitations with a old world Victorian theme asking your guest to dress with a Victorian theme in mind.
Home Entertainment for the Connoisseur
For the couple who appreciate fine wines, beers, liquors and music and movies plan a coed party where guests are encouraged to bring gifts to stock their cellar and movie and music collection. Send out invitations that have wine or Hollywood or music motifs.
© WedNet LLC. All rights reserved.