Shower Celebration Bridal Shower Theme

Shower Celebration Bridal Shower Decoration Idea: A "Just For Girls" Cocktail party

At a “just for girls” shower, keep the mood light, lively and a little sophisticated. Instead of serving an elaborate menu in a formal atmosphere, throw a cocktail party! Ask your guests to wear “going out” clothes and elevate the atmosphere by serving swank appetizers and top-shelf cocktails. Purchase bridal shower party supplies that coordinate with your theme, and decorate the room tastefully, including lowered lights and lively music.

A selection of cocktail appetizers will be less expensive and more interesting than a sit-down dinner or buffet, and you won’t get stuck in the kitchen for most of the shower. Easy, make-ahead favorites include bacon-wrapped shrimp, bruschetta and endive with gorgonzola and figs. Visit a high-end bakery for a grown-up dessert, like a seven-layer chocolate cake or a gourmet cheesecake. For drinks, serve Cosmopolitans, martinis and fine wine. If you’re skipping the alcohol, mix up virgin cocktails and offer Perrier and sparkling juices.

Your bridal shower decorations should be as simple and elegant as your theme. The bridal shower invitations should coordinate with the thank-you notes. PartyPail’s Shower Celebration line fits the bill perfectly. The bridal shower napkins are adorable, as are the matching plates, cups and table coverings. If your bride is from the “less is more” school, use solid-color plates to offset an edited selection of themed décor. For example, use the Shower Celebration Dinner Plate as your guests’ main dish, and then use the Classic Pink 7” Plate for dessert.

Although a lot of people roll their eyes at bridal shower games, the celebration doesn’t seem complete without them. The trick is to pick games that are fun, simple and appropriate for all ages, like these:

• First Kiss: Take turns telling the rest of the group about your first kiss. If younger guests are playing, they can describe their dream first kiss. There’s no prize for this game, but it’s a good icebreaker or a pleasant way to wind down the festivities.
• The Memory Game: The Memory Game is a great choice for younger brides, who may not yet have a fully-stocked kitchen. Purchase 20 to 25 different kitchen gadgets, like a spatula, wooden spoon, timer, corkscrew or dishtowels. Arrange the items on a tray so they’re all visible, and then give all the guests a chance to get a good look. Take away the tray, and ask the guests to write down as many things as they can remember. The person with the most items gets the prize, and the bride gets to keep all the gadgets.
• Wedding Pictionary: Before your guests arrive, write down a dozen or more phrases associated with weddings, such as “wedding night,” “garter toss” or “the Chicken Dance.” Set up a large pad of paper on an easel, divide into teams and have guests take turns drawing pictures of the words. The team with the most correct guesses wins.

As you emcee the bridal shower party games, don’t use rush things along. If you don’t get to all the games, don’t stress out. Let the party’s vibe be your guide, as well as the bride’s fun factor. When the party ends, you might even move the shower celebration to a bar or nightclub. Just make sure you have enough designated drivers!