Archive for the ‘Bridal Shower Ideas’ Category

Planning a shower is the same process as planning any event.  Last summer I shared with you the 5 W’s to planning a party. To  review those tips click on July 2009 at right.

Once you’ve answered the Why, Where, When, What, and Who questions, you can get to the details.   Use this check list so you don’t forget  anything.  If a section doesn’t apply to your event, cross it off!

Theme

• Having one makes the planning easier
• Choose a color scheme

Invitations

• Formal, professionally printed invitations
• Buy ready made invitations where you fill in the blanks
• Make your own
• Send invitations by e-mail
• Invite by phone

Menu

• Will it be catered
• Make everything yourself
• Pot luck

Food and Drinks

• How many courses
• Gather your recipes
• Shopping
• What can be made ahead of time
• Who will serve
• Guests help themselves
• Hire waiters, bar-tenders
• Hosts serve guests

The Table

• Tables and chairs
• Dishes, glassware, flatware, etc
• Tablecloth and napkins
• Will you use real dishes/napkins or disposable
• Sit down meal:
• Plan a seating chart
• Place card holders
• Informal or buffet
• Where will guests sit

Centerpiece

• Flowers
• Order an arrangement
• Flowers from the garden
• Candles
• Other ideas

Entertainment

• Music
• Live or recorded
• Games
• Party favors or gifts

Timing

• What time will guests arrive
• What time will food be served
• If party has a specific purpose:
• What time will the guest of honor open gifts
• When will speeches or toasts be made
• If it’s a surprise:
• What time will the guest of honor arrive
• What time will everyone leave

Clean-Up

It may seem like I’m planning this bridal shower a bit backward.  I did the party favors/place card idea first and now I’m doing the invitation.  As with any party planning, it doesn’t matter the order in which you do something, as long as you first:

• decide on a theme
• make a list of what needs to be done
• give yourself enough time to get everything finished

The invitation sets the tone for the any party.  If you choose to have a formal, engraved announcement, your guests will know what to expect (and how to dress).  If you send out something fun and flirty, they will look forward to a different atmosphere.

Bridal showers should fun, festive and personal.  After all, you’re celebrating a big event for a friend or relative.  Since  initials are the theme, I’m using the first letter of the bride’s name.

I created three  invitations; all of them very easy. You just need a computer and printer.  The third one involves some cutting and pasting and a bit of glue.  Get some friends together to help.  The more the merrier!

Make your own invitations to coordinate with the party theme

You can buy blank stationary or purchase card stock in your color theme and make your own.  Be sure to buy envelopes first so the cards will fit.  Also pay attention to size and weight.  Check with the post office before you begin.  A square envelope requires extra postage.  If it’s too thick, you will pay more too.

The bride's initial in a great font is simple and elegant

Choose a font that reflects your theme or style, enlarge it and print the first initial of the bride-to-be.  S for Sarah.

Go green! The invitation becomes a bookmark!

If you want to go the “green” route, make the invitation useful.  Print the info vertically and it becomes a bookmark. You should be able to get 2 or 3 per page and it will fit in a business size envelope.

Gather colored paper or paint chips and cut-outs of the initial you are using.

If you are more artistic, forget the basic stationary and try shipping tags.
The info goes on the back.  The front is where you can get creative.  Look for decorative papers in the scrapbook section at the local craft store.  Tissue paper works too.  Use the same color you will use in your table decorations.

This invite takes a bit more time and some creative energy!

I recycled old paint chips.  Then printed the “S” on white paper, cut it out and glued it all together.  Use your imagination.  It will be a little work of art.   No one will toss this in the landfill!

All the vital information is on the back. This style becomes a keeper too!

You could send invitations by e-mail, but getting them the old fashion way is such a treat these days.  You can even design your own stamps!

Tis the season for wedding showers.  Although it is all about the bride, if you are hosting the party, you want to welcome your guests to a fun, friendly and beautiful atmosphere.

The best advice for planning any party, big or small is to plan a theme and choose a color scheme.  This is especially a good idea with a shower.  Just like any interior decorating project, a theme and color idea will keep you focused and simplify the process.

If you don’t want to do the same-old/same-old bridal thing, you gotta think outside the box.

For something truly different, choose an “Initial” theme.  Although you can find lots of things with letters, vintage hankies are unique.  Up until the last few decades, women used to carry handkerchiefs with them at all times.  Now that we don’t do that anymore, you can find tons of hankies at antique shops and flea markets. Ask your grandmother for hers!

Handkerchiefs come in all sizes, colors and initials

The best thing with hankies is they become the party favor and place setting all rolled into one!

Once the guest list is set, you will know which letters to look for.  What you can’t find, you can embroider on an old plain one.  If you or your friends don’t sew, look for an iron-on letters at the craft store.

They can be found in every color and style

If the hankies are big enough and in good condition, use them as the napkin.

If the hankies are big enough, they can stand alone as napkins

Chances are they won’t be, so pair them up with regular napkins.  Use a napkin ring or ribbon.

If the hankies are too small or fragile, fold them up with regular napkins

Use a simple napkin ring or ribbon to hold the two together

White hankies can be paired with your color theme

Or wrap them around a pair of candles…

Candles are great party favors

Or soap!  Two party favors in one!  Be sure to use unscented soap so it doesn’t compete or over power your lunch!

Initial hankies make personal party favors

Tuck in a silk flower for added color

Have your guests find their place at the table, by looking for their initial.  Sort of a grown-up musical chairs (except everyone gets a seat)!

Next time,  invitations!