Bridal Shower Ideas?

Question

Any alternatives to the lame games? This shower should be elegant and unique...

While I realize that without the games there will be more time to fill, but that was the entire point of my question! I want something a little more unique than "bridal registry bingo". I want my guests to come away feeling they had a wonderful time, not just spent an afternoon at another ho-hum shower.

Answer 1

*SORRY for the VERY LONG answer...I do this kinda of stuff for a living so I have a lot of ideas

For an elegant bridal show throw a bridal tea party. No matter what season of the year, planning a bridal shower tea is filled with exciting and fun possiblities. Whether its an outdoor or indoor event, a reception tea is not necessarily limited as an afternoon affair as many of these tea parties are also being conducted at mid-day or for brunch.

Some helpful tips on planning bridal shower teas:

- Be sure that there is an individual assigned to coordinating the event. This is usually the Maid of Honor, but sometimes the job is also handled by one of the bridesmaids.

- Select refreshments (i.e., teas and coffees) that are flavorful and available in decaffeinated choices. For summer receptions, it is also common to serve ice tea and coffee.

- Find bridal shower favors that also serve as table decorations for money-saving ideas. Use elegant touches like adding ribbons and colorful candies. Place colorful candies in wonderful containers such as miniature silver baskets, sinamay boxes, or organza favor bags.

- Locate a unique venue for the bridal shower such as a museum café, a veranda of a beautiful botanical garden, or a function room of yacht club.

- Bring a digital camera to the shower and keep it handy. Use these pictures to create a memorable scrapbook for the bride-to-be.

- Give unique gifts that both the bride and groom can use or appreciate at home such as artistic painting or Zen fountain.

- Create a memorable bridal shower scrapbook or photo album for the bride. Find one that can be monogrammed with her initials.

From scented sachets to personalized cosmetic bags, the choices for bridal shower favors are endless, some unique ideas for wedding shower favors include:

- Lip balm tins packaged in embroidered favor bags.
- Miniature purse favors filled with a mirror compact.
- Heart-shaped boxes containing homemade cookies.
- Silver heart paperweights tied with colorful ribbons.
- Personalized bracelets presented in silk pouches.

Also here is a wonderful menu you can use for your bridal shower that is elegant and delicious. Hope this helps!
Menu Idea:

Lavender Lemonade
A simple elegant drink that is very fragrant and delcious!
INGREDIENTS
3 cups sugar
7 lavender sprigs (stems and buds), plus additional for garnish*
2 cups fresh lemon juice (from about 12 lemons)
1/2 cup fresh lime juice (from about 5 limes)

In a large saucepan, bring one gallon of water and the sugar to a boil. Remove from heat; add 7 lavender sprigs and lemon and lime juices. Cool to room temperature, strain, and chill. Serve on ice, with additional lavender for garnish.

* If unavailable, substitute fresh basil or lemon thyme.


Sautéed Shrimp Salad with Ginger-Cilantro Dressing
This elegant and dramatic dish will be sure to please your guests!
INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup (about 1/2 bunch) cilantro or Italian parsley (stems removed), plus additional for garnish
1 garlic clove
1 tablespoon pickled ginger
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon chili oil
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 pound (about 16) medium shrimp, cleaned and deveined (tails left on)
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 cup lime juice (from about 2 or 3 limes)
Salt and freshly ground pepper
3 large tomatoes
3 avocados, pitted, peeled, and diced into 1/4-inch pieces
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 English cucumber, peeled and diced into 1/4-inch pieces

Combine first 7 ingredients in a food processor and blend 30 seconds; scrape sides of bowl and blend 15 more seconds. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over high heat. Cook shrimp 3 to 4 minutes, until just pink. Add garlic and lime juice and cook 30 more seconds. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from pan and refrigerate until ready to use.

Fill a medium saucepan with water and bring to a boil. Using a small, sharp knife, make an X on each tomato. Fill a medium bowl with ice water. Immerse tomatoes in boiling water 10 to 15 seconds, just until skin loosens. With a slotted spoon, remove tomatoes and drop into ice water. Peel skin; cut tomatoes in half and discard seeds. Dice into 1/4-inch pieces; set aside. Put avocado in a medium bowl and gently toss with lemon juice.

Loosely pack 1/2 cup avocado into a 3-inch round cookie cutter, top with 1/2 cup tomato, and then add 1/2 cup cucumber, gently pressing each layer with a spoon. Carefully remove cutter. Repeat on each plate, and refrigerate until ready to use. (Alternate method: Gently mix salad ingredients and mound on plates.)

Drizzle each tower with dressing, and add 2 shrimp. Garnish with cilantro sprigs.

* Serve as an appetizer


Panini with Proscuitto and Asparagus
Tender asparagus wrapped in mouth watering proscuitto!
INGREDIENTS
4 to 6 slices sourdough bread
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon salt, plus additional to taste
Freshly ground pepper
1/2 pound asparagus, tough ends removed
1/2 pound thinly sliced prosciutto

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Using a 1-inch circular cookie cutter, cut bread into 40 rounds. Brush tops with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place on a baking sheet and toast in oven until golden brown, about 12 to 15 minutes. Remove and set aside.

In a large sauté pan, bring 2 inches water and 1 tablespoon salt to a boil. Add asparagus and cook 2 minutes. Strain and run under cold water to cool down.

Tightly wrap 3 spears asparagus with one slice of prosciutto. Repeat with remaining asparagus and prosciutto. Cut rolls crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces. Place 1 slice on each toast and serve

Stuffed Chicken Breasts and Root Vegetables
A simple chicken dinner with a elegeant touch!
INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup pine nuts or walnuts
3/4 cup basil leaves
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
Salt
24 baby yellow beets or 4 sliced and peeled red beets
24 baby carrots or 4 sliced and peeled large carrots
24 baby parsnips or 4 sliced and peeled parsnips
Salt and freshly ground pepper
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1/8-inch strips
1 1/2 pounds mixed mushrooms (shiitakes, chanterelles, oysters, morels or buttons), cleaned and cut into 1/4-inch slices
Salt and freshly ground pepper
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts (5 to 7 ounces each)

Place first 4 ingredients in a food processor and pulse until well combined, scraping sides along the way. Season with salt to taste.

Fill a large saucepan 3/4 full with salted water; bring to a boil. Add beets and cook 10 to 12 minutes, until almost tender. Add carrots and parsnips and cook 5 more minutes. Remove vegetables and let cool.

Preheat oven to 375°. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and garlic in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat; cook pepper and mushrooms until wilted, 6 to 7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and set aside.

Place 1 chicken breast between plastic wrap and carefully pound until breast is 1/4-inch thick. Repeat with remaining chicken. Remove plastic wrap and spread 1/4 of pesto on chicken breast. Add 1/4 of mushroom-pepper mixture on top. Carefully roll up chicken (jelly roll fashion); secure with toothpicks. Repeat with each breast. In a large sauté pan, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and sauté rolled breasts over medium-high heat until golden, turning to brown all sides, about 15 minutes. Transfer to a baking sheet and place in oven 10 to 13 minutes.

Over medium-high heat, sauté 2 tablespoons olive oil and vegetables just until hot, 3 to 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Remove chicken from oven and allow to cool 10 minutes. Remove toothpicks and slice crosswise into 11/2-inch slices. Plate 3 to 4 slices per person with baby vegetables

Strawberry and Peach Tartlets with Fromage Blanc
Delicious strawberries and peaches served with a tender crust and a delicious sauce INGREDIENTS
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sliced blanched almonds
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter, chilled and cut into small pieces

1 cup fromage blanc or mix 3/4 cup cream cheese with 1/4 cup sour cream
8 strawberries, thinly sliced
2 peaches, thinly sliced
Caramel sticks or candied flowers (optional garnish)

Combine flour, almonds, sugar and salt in a food processor. Pulse until nuts are finely ground. Add butter, and pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal. Slowly add 2 tablespoons of cold water, pulsing several times to form a moist ball. Remove dough and knead briefly. Divide into 8 equal pieces, flatten each into a disc and cover in plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 2 hours, until firm.

Preheat oven to 350°F. On a lightly floured surface, roll each disc into a 3 1/2-inch circle and place in 2 1/2-inch tart shells. Glide a rolling pin over shells to trim edges. Pierce holes in dough with fork tines. Freeze 15 minutes. Transfer to a baking sheet and bake 10 minutes. If dough is bubbling, re-pierce with fork. Continue baking 5 to 7 minutes, until golden brown. Remove from oven; cool completely. Fill each shell with fromage blanc. Fan out 1 strawberry and a few slices of peach. Garnish, if desired.

Answer 2

You can go several ways with this. You could have a shower for them both as a couple. If you only want to give it in her honor then you can possibly choose from the following: Bridal Luncheon - Winter - hot drinks and finger sandwiches kind of thing. Lingerie Bridal Shower - exactly what the name entails. Or have a Bridal Tea Luncheon - Those are always nice around 2 with tea and gifts. Some great ideas for favors are bridal shower scrolls, advice cards, candy, bath salts, mint books - the list is endless - A lot of different opportunities, it is what you feel most comfortable with hosting.

Answer 3

Boy that is tough - I am going to go a different direction on this one. How about 'tea party' where the dishes, table coverings, candle holders, serving bowls, candy dishes, etc, etc, would be presented to the new bride at the end of the shower. Of course you will need to contact the guests before hand to make sure you have all the items so they can be washed before use and have them set up at the destination. With a little imagination (and luck) you could arrange an outing for just the two of you (thus a surprise shower) - maybe a shopping trip and then just 'need' to stop in for a drink and then voila!! Either way, good luck and God Bless the the new couple!!

Answer 4

My sister wanted the same thing: nice, elegant yet fun.
So we had the party at a local cafe known for their fresh salads, teas, and pastries, all served on china, etc.

When the guests came in, I had scrapbook material on one table. They guests created their own personal page to my sister, rather than signing a guest book. The one page was a photo frame, so my sister would get a group picture to insert.

The ice breaker was going around explaining how they knew the bride to be (ie: high school, college, work, etc.)

While we were waiting for the food, we did a game:
The Famous Couples Game. The women got into teams of 2 and they had to come up with Famous Couples, dead, alive, fictional or real. They got 5 minutes to come up with the list. The winners got a starbucks gift card

Hope that helps!

Answer 5

I would try treasure hunts with cute gifts at each place,have a lingerie party along with the bridal shower,so you all can try on a few sexy items!Plus you'd get some orders too!Or hire a male model and have him model some thongs and boxers always a blast,Elegant and unique is boring come on live a little ! marriage is a trap and she needs to let loose before her man puts on the tie down!Then have a sundae making contest to see who can make the best and fastest sundae and give a certificate too the nearest ice cream parlor to the winner.

Answer 6

i went to a bridal shower and we played some games like one is that you ask the crowd 10 things u know about the bride, another who knows there spices put paper around a spices and then they right them down what the spices are by smelling them, and we put candy in a jar and they had to guess how many was in the jar and then they got a prize

Answer 7

It would be very easy to make things too stuffy by forcing the "elegance" angle. Showers tend to be hokey and redundant, but really, you take away the games and can get nauseatingly boring. Make sure whatever you're doing reflects the bride's style.

Answer 8

I hate games at showers. Nobody really wants to play them. Just have it at a decent restaurant. Nothing beats good friends and good food.

Answer 9

Have a lia sophia jewelry show!! The bride can earn all her bridesmaids gifts for free!!

visit my website www.liasophia.com/jewelrymom

Answer 10

Have a bridal tea. You won't have to worry about games.

Answer 11

Have a punch fountain for starters...

http://www.simplyweddingstuff.com/games.html
http://www.soapmeister.com/shower_legendA.html
http://wedding.weddingchannel.com/planning/articles/bridal_shower_themes.asp?affiliate=20054
http://www.affordableweddinginvitations.net/wedding-showers/themed_bridal_shower_ideas.htm
http://www.penmorecastle.com/bridalshowerideas.htm
http://www.penmorecastle.com/cinderellalinks.htm
http://www.penmorecastle.com/games.htm