Planning a pre-wedding bridal shower? We have six fantastic bridal shower themes for you to get some ideas from:
1. Gift basket shower
Designate each guest a room and get them to bring a basket, box or container filled with goodies that will be of use for that room. This allows the guest to give a gift that will be useful for the bride and groom.
Decorations
Place baskets all over the room filled with nibbles. Use boxes to sit on.
Invitations
Use a piece of card with a small hole in the top and thread through a piece of ribbon so that it looks like a gift tag. Write on what room that person has got to fill a basket for. Leave enough space for the person to write the contents of the box onto it and then they can attach it to their gift.
Gifts
Bedroom – candles, silk pillows
Kitchen – detergents, recipe books, cookie cutters
Bathroom – laundry basket filled with soaps, shampoos, towel set
Lounge – ornaments, small pictures, or a picnic basket filled with items used for a picnic
These might sound like strange gifts to give but they are useful and they won`t break the bank.
Games and activities
Play treasure hunt where the guests have to find an item in each room and the winner receives a bottle of wine.
Favors
A small basket of pot puree.
2. Bathroom shower
Who couldn`t do with extra towels and bathroom accessories. The bathroom is usually neglected compared to the rest of a home so why not hold a bathroom shower and give the bride and groom a head start in their new home.
Decorations
Drape towels over the backs of chairs. Place bowls with floating candles in around the room. Hang soap from rope on the window.
Invitations
How about a bath shape invitation card with bubbles on. These are easy to make from card and will save a fortune on stationary.
Gifts
Towels, bathrobes, soap dishes, toothbrush holders, bath mats, shower curtains, shower caddies, bathroom scales, a basket of toiletries.
Games and activities
Who knows the bride best – The bride has to fill out an info sheet on herself (favorite food, restaurant, color, etc.) 20 things should be enough. Give the same sheet to the guests and the one that gets the most right wins a bottle of wine.
Favors
Small baskets filled with soaps, shampoos etc. You can usually buy sample sachets at local markets.
3. Health fanatic shower
If the bride is a health fanatic or into her sport and fitness, why not theme the shower around that?
Decorations
Hang streamers and pompoms from the ceiling.
Invitations
Make the invitations from card in the shape of a tennis racket or other sport themes that the bride likes.
Gifts
Workout clothes, certificates for a health club, tickets to a game, sports equipment, health food cookbooks.
Games and activities
Everyone must bring an exercise video, book etc. or any exercise games that they can think of. Twister is a good and fun game for this theme.
Favors
Whistles, small pompoms, water bottles.
4. In the kitchen shower theme
Does the bride to be love cooking? Is she a homely person? Why not theme the shower around that?
Decorations
If you have a large kitchen then hold the shower there. If not place cook books, bowls etc. around the room.
Invitations
Send out invitations that look like recipe cards. It should read like; take one bride to be, mix with lots of friends, sprinkle with gifts and serve on (date, time) at (person’s name) house.
Gifts
Remember the big gifts are kept for the big day so little things that can help to make the couples’ kitchen complete are all that is needed. Remember to write on the invitations the colors of the couples’ kitchen. Recipes, cookie cutters, can opener, dish towels, dish drainer, pedal bin.
Games and activities
Each guest must bring along one of their own recipes and the ingredients needed to make it. Write the names of the recipes on pieces of paper and place them in a hat then everyone has to pick one out and attempt to make the recipe stated. If anyone picks out their own recipe they have to put it back and pick again.
Favors
Cookie cutters, fridge magnets, aprons, cheeky dish towels.
5. Lingerie shower
Lingerie is a big part of a women’s life, why not theme the shower around that? Have a lingerie party.
Decorations
This is defiantly a night time party. Create a romantic atmosphere with soft lights and lots of candles. Drape the room in silk throws and cushions.
Invitations
Black card with red lace around the edges. Make sure to include the bride’s lingerie sizes and color preferences.
Gifts
Nightgowns, slips, bras, pajamas, teddies, lingerie cases, peignoirs, nightshirts, camisoles, stockings, garters. Maybe even silk boxers for the groom.
Games and activities
Why not have a lingerie selling party and make money into the bargain. These parties are great fun and the guests can shop while they celebrate. Contact your local lingerie boutique to make a reservation.
Striptease - Cut out a cardboard silhouette of a man and dress him in clothes. During the shower each guest has to answer intimate questions about themselves and if they do they get remove an item of clothing if they don`t they have to do a dare by the one asking the question. Underneath all the clothing cover his groin area with a fig leaf and write a small message on it like “not tonight darling I`m washing my hair”.
Favors
Small satin pillows or silk scarves.
6. Pamper the bride shower
The bride will be that busy running around trying to organize everything that she will wear herself out. Make the bridal shower a special one where all the girls get to be pampered.
Decorations
Create an atmosphere of luxury, indulgence, and tranquillity. Adorn the room with flowers, potpourri, and candles. Bring in all the cosmetics, and hair accessories.
Invitations
Pretty invitation cards are a must, preferably with lace around them.
Gifts
Perfume, a loofah, gift certificates for a health spa, bath oils, bubble bath, manicure/pedicure, a bottle of champagne, bath soaps,make over by a professional.
Games and activities
Each person must bring along a bag of clothes, shoes and accessories. Try each others clothes on and do a private catwalk. You never know you might even swap clothes in the bargain.
Favors
A small basket of toiletries or a bag of cosmetics.
