With Marie - How To Host a Wedding Shower

Wedding Shower

~ Celebrating the upcoming day of love, hope, happiness, and new beginnings ~

Ah, a wedding! As one of the most sacred decisions of two people's lives, the decision to wed definitely calls for celebration. And how many ways there are to celebrate!

Sure, there are popular themes. But I don't think I've ever been to two wedding showers that were alike in any noticeable way. There are probably two reasons for that. First, each bride has her own idea of "the perfect shower." Second, each group of hostesses has its idea (or eight ideas) of "the perfect shower." Obviously, the bride-to-be's preference takes precedence, but the hostesses can and should add their own personal touch. It's these two competing forces that make planning a shower so fun: not only do you get to fulfill the bride's desires and dreams, you and your friends also get to create an unforgettable occasion . . . the wedding shower than no one forgets!

Hostesses

The hostesses should be the bride's close friends. It's often hard to know when to stop adding hostesses, but sometimes a large group can be advantageous. For one thing, you can split the costs among more people. Plus, everyone will have something unique and special to contribute -- whether it is her home, her good decorating sense, or her organization skills. So it's my opinion that six to eight hostesses is a good number for a 30-person shower.

Tips for How to Be a Stellar Hostess:

Do ask the bride for her opinion on things.
Do stay after to help the other hostesses clean up.
Do leave the flowers with the hostess who offered her house.
Do reimburse the other hostesses promptly if needed.

Themes

Wedding shower themes are unlimited. Couples showers (which tend to be more like cocktail parties or casual dinner parties) are my favorite of late. For one thing, it's nice to include the groom and his friends in the celebration. And it is also a good way for guests who live in other cities to get to know the groom and see the bride and groom together.

Popular themes for couples showers include:

Bar and Kitchen Showers: Guests can bring items to stock the couple's kitchen and bar area. Guys tend to enjoy these showers as much as the ladies because gifts often include equipment for making drinks, storing or serving wine, or grilling.
Around the House Showers: Assign each room in the house to various guests. This way, the couple will get a few gifts for every room. Be sure to remember the "tool room" for the groom!
His and Hers Showers: Like the Around the House Shower, the goal of this theme is to get gifts for the bride and groom. Often the groom will register for things at Home Depot or other hardware store.

Of course, you aren't required to have a "gift theme" for the shower. Instead, your theme could focus on the food at the shower -- such as a Fiesta with fajitas and margaritas, or aMardi Grasstyle party with seafood gumbo, warm bread, and mixed drinks, or a romantic talian dinner with Chianti, bruschetta, salad, and an easy pasta dish. Another fun option during the summer months is a Hawaiian Luau out by the pool . . . just don't forget the Mai Tais!

Unwrapped-Gift Showers are also popular because this allows the couple to spend time enjoying their friends' company instead of unwrapping gifts. Unwrapped-Gift showers are also especially appealing to the "eco-friendly."

Despite how much I enjoy couples showers, every bride should have at least one all-girls shower. There is something special about sitting around with your girlfriends, oohing and ahhhing at stemware and linens. For all-girls showers, I recommend a brunch or afternoon tea -- with plenty of light appetizers, desserts, and mimosas or iced tea.

Another popular theme, if the season is right, is an Ornament Shower. At these showers, each guest brings a special ornament so the bride will have plenty of ornaments for their first Christmas tree. Serve warm apple cider, spiked eggnog, hot coffee or tea, and small snacks or cookies at these showers.

Or, you could have a Spa Dayfor the bride and her closest friends. Each person gets one or two treatments plus wine and a light lunch, likely served at the spa itself. Finally, a lot of girls enjoy a Lingerie Shower. Often this type of shower will be incorporated into the Bachelorette Party, which is perfectly appropriate, given the nature of the gifts :)

Decorations

Decorations will depend on your theme. I recommend that, as a hostess, you not spend too much on decorations because the cost of more important items -- such as food, drinks, invitations, and gifts -- will add up quickly. That said, be sure to have some seasonal flowers to brighten the space.

For a shower in the fall months, I love this centerpiece made of orange, yellow, and green gourds.

If you can find other small, affordable decorations that fit with your theme, feel free to add those to the occasion. For example, these tissue-paper flowers made for very festive napkin rings at a recent "Fiesta themed" shower I attended.

Or, try my new creation: The wedding shower cake! It is a gift and a decoration, and is sure to impress the guests!!

Food

Food at a wedding shower is key, and will completely depend upon your theme. As I mentioned above, fajitas and margaritas are popular for couples showers, at least here in Texas. If grilling meat for a crowd seems overwhelming, just order that part from a local restaurant. Then make the other sides -- such as guacamole and queso -- yourself.

For an all-girls shower, you might serve curried chicken salad sandwiches, a sweet and simple salad, salmon cakes, yummy hummus with fresh veggies or pita triangles, and a fresh fruit plate.

An assortment of desserts is always fun, too. Again, feel free to order a cake if none of the hostesses has time to handle that task. Hosting a wedding shower can be a substantial undertaking, especially if a lot of guests are invited. A smart hostess knows when to do it herself and when outsource the job!

If you decide to make a dessert, a couple of Key Lime Pies or individual Strawberry Shortcakes would be lovely.

Beverages

Like the food, beverages will need to coincide with your shower theme. For couples showers, cold beer, wine, or margaritas are a good starting place. Have water, sodas, and iced tea for guests who prefer a non-alcoholic option. Sangria is a great addition to a fiesta -- it's colorful, unique, and refreshing!

My general recommendation on wine is to purchase one bottle of wine for every two people. Of course, if you have plenty of other drinks (such as beer or mixed drinks), you'll likely need less wine. One final tip on wine: There's no need to break the budget here. You can always find great wine at a good price -- look for some that is on sale, or buy in bulk at your local bulk-discount retailer.

Invitations

Invitations will depend on your theme. I recommend that you send printed invitations instead of using an evite, email, or phone call. The printed invitation emphasizes to the bride the importance of the occasion, and will likely be something that the bride saves in her scrapbook. Make sure to include the occasion, time, place, theme, and R.S.V.P contact information (email and phone option, please).

My favorite website for printed invitations is The Party Cat. They have an invitation for virtually every wedding shower theme. Even better, the invitations are economical and easy to order on-line.

Venue

I recommend having the shower at a hostess' home for several reasons. First, not having to rent a venue will save money. Second, using a home often makes it easier to set up the shower because hostesses can come over the day before or a few hours before with decorations, food, and drinks. Third, and most important, a home tends to be more intimate than a rented space.

If the weather allows it, having an indoor/outdoor party can be lots of fun and also make a small space seem large. So if you have a large deck or patio, incorporate this into the occasion if possible.

Other Things

Trashbags:Have a lot of trashbags on hand. You will probably use about five or six, and maybe more if you are using disposable plateware.
Cameras: Take pictures! The couple will love to be able to remember their entire engagement, especially all the fun showers.
Guest Book: Make sure you have a guest book and pen for everyone to sign when then arrive. The bride may have her own to bring, but help her remember to set it out.
List of Gifts: If opening gifts is central to the shower, have one of the hostesses in charge of writing down each gift and who gave it. This will help the bride when it is time to write thank you notes.

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