(ARA) - A wedding shower should be fun for everyone involved: the bride, the guests, and even the hostess. A little advance planning ensures that happens.
First, a bit of etiquette: the shower is usually hosted by the maid or matron of honor, or a close family friend. The guest list should include only people who have been invited to the wedding, unless the shower is hosted by co-workers. Showers are traditionally held a month or two before the wedding; this can be a very stressful and busy time for the bride, so make sure the date fits into her schedule before making all the arrangements.
Showers are supposed to help the bride and groom equip their new home, so theyre often planned around a specific theme: recipe showers, camping showers, linen showers, etc. In choosing a theme, consider things that are important to the bride. Does she love to cook? Consider a recipe party. Does she like to entertain? How about a stock the bar shower? Is the couple moving into a new home after the wedding? A tool shower can help them collect the essentials theyll need. Once you decide on a theme, you can use it to tie in decorations, gifts, even the food and games.
* Invitations
The theme starts here. For a cooking shower, send invitations written on recipe cards, or cut out leaf shapes for a garden shower. Make it clear if guests are expected to bring a certain type of gift.
* Decorations
Your local party supply store is a good place to start, and the Internet is also a great resource. Look for paper goods that carry out your theme -- a floral design for a garden shower, for example. Another good option is to decorate for the shower in the colors the bride has chosen for her wedding.
* Food
Showers usually involve a light lunch or appetizers. Tastefully Simple sells gourmet food products that make it easy to put together an impressive menu. Most of the companys products require only one or two ingredients to prepare, or can be enjoyed right out of the package. For example, the Creamy Wild Rice Soup mix can be used to make a delicious wild rice casserole that can be the main course of your menu. Or spread softened cream cheese on flour tortillas, top with Tastefully Simples Sweet Pepper Jalapeno Jam, roll tortillas, chill and slice into spirals for beautiful hors doeuvres.
The companys Web site has a complete selection of products and more serving and menu ideas. You can even choose Tastefully Simple as your shower theme. A consultant will organize a home taste-testing party, offering samples, easy meal ideas, recipes and serving suggestions. Guests can order for themselves and for the bride.
* Games
People tend to be split into two camps where shower games are concerned -- either they think no shower would be complete without them, or theyd rather visit the dentist than play them. Take your lead from the bride on this one; after all, its her party. Check your local bookstore, library, or the Internet for party game ideas. Chances are youll be able to find a game those ties in with your theme. For example, if youre having a recipe shower, you could play the apron game: attach a variety of kitchen utensils to an apron and have the bride put it on and model it for a couple of minutes, then leave the room. Have guests written down as many items as they can remember; the person with the longest list wins.
* Party favors
While party favors are not essential, they are a nice touch. Choose wisely, and your party favors can double as part of your decorative theme. For example, for a garden party, use small potted plants with guests names painted on the pots as a place card on the table. When the party is over, guests can take the plant home as a memento. You can also use personalized photo frames, champagne flutes or candles in the same way. If youre throwing a kitchen shower, send guests home with a tasty treat such as Tastefully Simples Spinach and Herb Mix, or their Garlic and Bacon dip mixes.
Use these tips to plan the perfect shower. Youll be a relaxed, gracious hostess and the bride will have a very special day to remember.
For more Free Resources www.dishadvice.com
Sandal Fashions for a Beach Wedding
A lot goes into putting together even the simplest of weddings. There are decorations, flowers, food, and of course, the bride's attire. Early in the planning process (about 6-9 months before the wedding day) the bride usually selects her dress, veil, and shoes. When the wedding is going to take place on a beach, choosing the right shoes to complement the wedding dress may seem a difficult task at first. Fortunately, trends in bridal sandals offer today's beach bride a wide selection of options.
Wedding Dress And It's Role In Society
Parts of what defines civilization are the customs and ceremonies we develop to mark specific life events While different cultures devise their own ideas for how to highlight these occasions there are some aspects that maintain a rather universal appeal
How to Write a Wedding Speech
First things first, writing a wedding speech is a big deal You are going to want the speech to be fun, short, but still be very meaningful
Chicago Wedding Photojournalism
Magazines that reflect the changing world like ?National Geographic? have long used the practice of photojournalism in their publications. People are used to seeing these stories covered in words as well as photographs. The pictures give the story a real sense of time and the behind the scenes look at historical events. A growing trend among married couples to be wants their weddings photographically covered the same way. The result is that professional photographers shooting weddings in a similar style, to really tell the wedding story from the couple?s point of view. Especially in Chicago, wedding photojournalism has been growing in popularity for the last ten years.
Writing Wedding Vows – Ideas That Will Help You Express What You Truly Feel
More and more, couples are choosing to write their own wedding vows.
Although many people believe that this is the best way to truly express
their personal beliefs and feelings, often they are unsure about how to
begin and what to include.
Owner of MajesticInvites.com discusses 2008 Trends in Wedding and Corporate Invitations
MajesticInvites.com releases an interview discussion with the owner about the latest trends in wedding invitations and corporate invitations. Find out what's hot in invitations in 2008 and what makes invitations unique.
Wedding Checklist: Wedding Party Favors
Your wedding day is approaching and included to your wedding checklist are different task and responsibilities to be properly done Wedding is perhaps one of the most memorable moment for couple's lives, thus proper planning and preparation matters most
Fitness Expert David Berger Introduces a Bride's (and Groom's) Guide for Wedding Day Fitness; Tone Your Stomach, Legs, Butt, and Arms in Jus
David Berger, the founder of the Number One Me™ lifestyle system, has developed a 4-exercise circuit that will help brides and grooms achieve peak fitness on their wedding days -- without having to make daily trips to the gym.
Bridal (Anti) Boot Camps Offered For Brides-To-Be To Leave Their Wedding Worries Behind
Available May 1st to November 30, 2008, the all-inclusive Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort is offering a Bridal (Anti) Boot Camp Series, where the only sweating is in the steam room, the only heavy lifting will be holding shopping bags, and the only food deprivation will be if the bride and bridal party forego the chocolate massage.
Trends In Wedding Jewellery
Traditionally , wedding jewellery has consisted of the wedding ring and little else. In the last ten years there has been a movement in retail jewellery towards more accessories on the big day and there has been a greater investment in jewellery of all kinds - even with men.
Wedding Favor Ideas ý Tacky to Treasured
Girls have been known to have a folder of unique wedding ideas that they have clipped and collected for years until their big day finally arrives Some people have a vague idea of what they would like their wedding to be like and leave the nitty gritty to a wedding planner
How to create a Active Wedding Reception Games
Active Wedding Reception Games
Exotic Wedding Destinations - Explore Exotic Turkish Beaches
When one conjures up thoughts of the Turkish landscape, beaches are not often the first thing that comes to mind. But if you take into consideration that Turkey is surrounded by water on three sides, it begins to make sense that the country has so much to offer surf worshippers.
String Quartet vs. Jazz for Your Las Vegas Wedding Music
Las Vegas weddings have been known for their tackiness as long as Las Vegas drive thru weddings have existed, but Las Vegas weddings are quickly becoming more elegant with brides spending more on their Las Vegas nuptials. With this includes their choice of Las Vegas wedding music and Las Vegas wedding musicians.
You Need to Consider These For Your Wedding Transportation
It is very important for you to plan ahead for your wedding transportation In fact, you have to do with carefully