Plan Wedding Showers Like a Pro...

If you can't think of original wedding shower themes, go back to childhood with Alice in Wonderland. Sound silly? Well, it is -- in a good way, of course. The bride to be is sure to have fun if there's even a touch of the child left inside of her. Here are some great ideas to make sure your wedding shower games, food, and decorations match the story.

Alice's bridal shower games

There's one very obvious game everyone has to play at a Wonderland bridal shower: croquet! If the weather cooperates, get everyone outside for this old classic lawn game. You don't have to use hedgehogs for balls, but if you want to, you can use plastic flamingos for mallets.

If the weather doesn't cooperate (or, heaven forbid, you want more than one game), try things like pin the smile on the Cheshire Cat, or even a real blast to the past with musical chairs (like the Mad Hatter's tea party when everyone has to switch seats). These are quick, fun, and easy wedding shower games everyone can enjoy.

And her yummy food, too

Bridal shower themes make food easy. Try a cake in the shape of a mushroom (with an 'eat me' sign on top, of course). If you can't manage that, even a rounded cake iced with vanilla icing will get the point across. You can serve finger foods like the Mad Hatter's tea party (with tea, of course!) and a clear flavored beverage (such as 7-Up with lemon juice) served in 'drink me' glasses.

Don't forget decorations!

Decorations are the most fun of any bridal shower themes, especially when you're dealing with Wonderland. You can decorate inexpensively by using sticky tac to put playing cards around the room (these also double as great placecards). Pink flamingos are a must. Try to find a big stuffed white rabbit and give him a place of honor. If you're outdoors, so much the better: bright colored streamers and some lights will finish the look.

Bridal favors

Of course, no bridal shower themes are complete without favors -- you have to thank your guests for attending. Fortunately, it's easy to do with Alice. If it's near Easter, pick up inexpensive white rabbits at a department store (white chocolate rabbits are especially popular). Give out nicely packaged tea bags for the Mad Hatter's tea party. If you're really stuck, buy a nice deck of playing cards for each guest.

As you can see, Alice in Wonderland makes a terrific theme for your wedding shower. From wedding shower games to perfect food and décor, you won't have any trouble putting the shower together easily and inexpensively, and the bride will love you for it. Have a great time revisiting childhood with Alice related wedding shower themes.

Posted by Patti at 9:21 PM | Permalink

Many people have trouble coming up with wedding shower ideas. It's difficult because the wedding shower is supposed to be a special time to celebrate the bride. It shouldn't be about the party -- but of course, you want everyone to have fun. It shouldn't be about the gifts -- but of course, it is on some level. And it shouldn't be about you -- but of course, everyone expects you to come up with the ideas and put it together!

Planning wedding shower themes and activities can be an overwhelming task, so it's best to start early and break it into small manageable steps -- as we have for you in this guide!

Perfect bridal shower ideas

If you follow these steps, you won't have any trouble coming up with the perfect bridal shower.

1. Set a date -- one that the bride and most of her friends and family agree with. It's amazing how many people forget to check with the bride before they set a date. Choose two or three dates that work for you and ask the bride which one she prefers.

2. Once you have a date, you have a deadline. Don't panic! Sit down and make a list of things you know about the bride: everything from her favorite color to her favorite sports, activities, hobbies, movies, and books.

3. Use your list to come up with wedding shower theme ideas. Do you have to have a theme? No -- but it's going to make your life a lot easier. A theme makes it simple to decide on decorations, food, and activities, because instead of choosing from thousands of possibilities, you know exactly what you're looking for.

Choosing a theme doesn't have to be difficult, either. You know what the bride likes, so run with that. Who cares if it's conventional? Whether it's a 'bells and lace' theme or a Twilight theme, start with the assumption that all wedding shower themes are created equal.

4. Now that you have a theme -- use it! The best bridal shower ideas come out of simple, expansive themes. Even if your theme is a color, that's going to make choosing invitations, decorations, and even food much easier.

5. Delegate. You do NOT want to get stuck cooking for a solid week to provide refreshments. Get friends to help by bringing simple dishes and organizing invitations and decorations.

6. Get the invitations out early, and assume at least half the guests won't bother to RSVP. It's annoying, but it's an unfortunate fact: you're probably going to have to hunt them down. At any rate, assume a few more guests will arrive than you anticipate -- that way, you're sure to have enough of everything.

If you follow these simple steps, planning a bridal shower isn't really that hard. Just use the bride and her tastes as your guide, and you'll quickly find wedding shower ideas all over the place.

Posted by Patti at 8:49 PM | Permalink