Ideas for Bridal Shower Themes

Throwing a shower for a soon-to-be bride has long been a tradition among western cultures. The shower was a party that not only made practical sense by giving the couple items with which to begin stocking their household, but is also provided an opportunity to have some fun.

It gave (and still gives!) a usually nervous, about-to-wed girl or woman a chance to relax and have a good time. Here are a few ideas for shower themes that are just a little out of the ordinary and a lot interesting! Read on. …

It’s Time to Entertain!

Nowadays, many couples about to be married do not necessarily need household items. Shower themes for a couple in this situation can include a number of ideas based strictly on fun. One is the “entertainment” theme. Couples often do quite a lot of entertaining, so gifts that help them out with that are wonderfully welcomed.

Some include CDs, games, puzzles, cards, barbecue utensils – anything to do with entertaining. To make the shower itself entertaining, guests show up in party attire. Having the shower at a karaoke bar is one good way to take the entertainment theme to the limits!

It’s All About Romance

Another bridal shower theme proving to be quite popular is the “romance” bridal shower. All the guests arrive wearing their sexiest, most romantically inspired clothing, and the party room is decorated with low lighting, scented candles, and fresh flowers.

Gifts must be anything associated with romance: massage oils, “racy” lingerie (for both him and her!), chocolates, bubble bath, lotions, heart-shaped soaps, beautiful music, a book of love poems. The soon-to-be bride is given a bottle to spin (like the old-fashioned spin-the-bottle game) and whomever it stops at is next in turn to give a gift.

A Honeymoon-Themed Shower

Wherever the couple is going, plan the bridal shower theme toward that. For instance, if the couple plans to honeymoon in Italy, give them majolica ceramics; Italian “munchies”: prosciutto, Italian cheeses, olives. If they’re going to a beach or seaside resort, give them beach blankets, suntan lotion, sunglasses. Decorate the party area with things that speak to the couple’s honeymoon destination: Leis and hula hoops if they’re going to Hawaii; Eiffel tower knick-knacks and French wine if Paris is on their agenda.

Stock-the-Pantry Party

One good idea that works well as a bridal shower theme, especially for younger, new-at-life-together couples is a stock-the-pantry party. Everyone invited brings along not only their favorite recipe handwritten or printed nicely on a 3”x5” card, but also the ingredients to actually make the dish.

This can give the newly married couple a great start on not having to worry about a grocery bill for a while, as well as providing printed instructions on to how to cook all the great foodstuffs they receive. Serve good, old-fashioned food at this type of party – the kind that everyone knows the bride likes!

Bridal shower themes are limited only by the imagination of the party giver. As long as everything’s done with love and in good taste, these types of parties are always big hits with the guests of honor as well as the guests. So give it some thought and don’t be afraid to be adventurous. A bridal shower is often a once-in-a-lifetime affair, so make it a fun, enjoyable time for all!