Not up for the usual afternoon tea sandwich party?
Today’s brides are exploring a wide range of bridal shower ideas that are a world away from the traditional, straight-laced bridal shower.
Here are five fun and different ideas:
1. Have a Wine Glass Painting Party
Image Courtesy: Ágnes Szöllősi
Get creative with your ladies and enjoy a little vino at the same time. With some inexpensive wine glasses, paint and brushes, you can all make one-of-a-kind treasures that will regularly remind you of the bride’s special day.
Material Check List: Pick up two wine glasses for each lady so they can have a matched set. You will also need paint (check the labels for those that are permanent on glass), brushes, and palettes. If you are feeling ambitious, grab some beads and small jewelry hoops to make wine glass charms to match.
Perfect Party Favor: The beauty of this party is that the favors make themselves. Everyone gets to take home their creations.
Menu Suggestions: Fruit, cheese, nuts and charcuterie all make elegant but easy accompaniments to wine.
2. Host a Mini Spa Day
Photo Courtesy: Spa Utopia Vancouver, located in the Pan Pacific Vancouver, Canada
Arrange a posh, indulgent afternoon for your lady friends. Make simple homemade masks and skin treatments to enjoy while you snack, sip tea, and enjoy soothing music. For a special thrill, book a massage therapist who does in-house appointments. You can set up a massage table in a room off to the side so everyone can get a little quiet pampering.
Material Check List: Have plenty of beauty products on-hand such as facial scrubs, moisturizers, nail polish, cucumber slices for puffy eyes, and plenty of fruits to make some nourishing facial masks.
Perfect Party Favor: Find a deal on some fuzzy robes and slippers so that everyone can be comfortable while getting beautiful and relaxed.
Menu Suggestions: Let spa materials do double duty as snacks! Make healthy and tasty smoothies in the blender to go along with natural beauty treatments. Then, round out the menu with fresh favorites like hummus, tabouleh, smoked salmon, peel and eat shrimp, and whole wheat baguettes.
3. Go to a Class Together
Ladies Night Art Class – Photo Courtesy: Roger Mommaerts
Are you and your pals the types that like even recreation time to be productive? Consider doing a class together as a fun and different bridal shower idea. Check with your local art guild, stained glass studios, the community college or a local boutique to find out what sorts of classes are available. You’re sure to find many local choices ranging from painting silk scarves to blowing your own wine glasses.
Material Checklist: Chances are, the venue will provide everything needed for this type of bridal shower. Double-check with the teacher to find out whether you are expected to bring any of your own materials.
Perfect Party Favor: Take plenty of pictures of you all at work. Print and frame your favorite to give out after the party.
Menu Suggestions: Find out whether it’s okay to bring food and drink. If the teacher gives you the thumbs-up, bring something simple like a veggie plate, fruit and wine.
4. Have an Overnight Getaway Together
Girls’ Getaway! – Photo Courtesy: Allan Donque
This doesn’t have to be a super-expensive Vegas weekend a la Bridesmaids . You can opt for a fun vacation spot a few hours from home or even camping. Pool your funds for a house rental to save money and also get more time with one another. Whether you head to the beach, the mountains or a city, an overnight trip makes a memorable bridal shower party.
Material Checklist: Send everyone Google maps directions via email before you go if you aren’t driving together. Bring a couple of board games to keep people busy in case of inclement weather.
Perfect Party Favor: Be on the hunt for souvenirs to buy and give as gifts. There are items at every price point, from refrigerator magnets to t-shirts and local crafts. Research in advance so you know what to be on the lookout for.
Menu Suggestions: If the area is known for its food, take in some local cuisine with a meal out. Bring pastries and fruit for an easy breakfast. If there is a kitchen, suggest a potluck where you all cook a festive meal together. You can often eat better than in a restaurant this way, and cooking the meal together is a great bonding experience for the bridal party.
5. Scavenger Hunt Party
Pirate girls at a pirate theme scavenger hunt! – Photo Courtesy: Richard Masoner
This ambitious bridal shower idea takes the party out of the living room and into the streets of your city. Talk to the groom to find out what places in town are particularly significant to him and his bride. Then, create clues that will lead participants to hidden caches of goodies. Hide trinkets with helpful bartenders, in public parks and around local landmarks. With each prize, include a clue that leads to the next location. For the last stop, pick a restaurant or pub that the happy couple loves.
Material Check List: Print out the clue lists on pretty paper and give everyone bright totes to use to collect the goodies along the way.
Perfect Party Favor: Have small but fun things to collect at each stop on the way like decorative wine stoppers, costume jewelry pendants and scented candles.
Menu Suggestions: After all the work of creating the hunt, let a favorite local restaurant take care of lunch! But be sure to stock everyone’s totes with bottles of water to keep hydrated during the game.
Samantha Hunt works at eInvite, an online retailer of wedding invitations, stationery, bar and bat mitzvah invitations, save-the-dates, birthday party invitations, and other custom paper goods.
Agnes says
Dear Sandy, I appreciate being featured on your article! Very nice ideas! Thank you very much! 🙂
Sandy says
You’re welcome Agnes! Your creations are so beautiful. 🙂