Bridal Shower Themes and Favor Ideas

Typically the job of planning a shower for the Bride-to-Be falls on the maid of honor. But it is just as common for all the bridesmaids to pitch in. Legend has it the first shower was thrown for a couple deeply in love, but lacking the money to marry. Their friends and family got together and "showered" the couple with gifts to help them start their new life together. Today, the tradition lives, but it's more of an opportunity for the bride to gather with her girlfriends one last time before her big day!

Although not necessary, a theme for the bridal shower can help bring a focus to the festivities. Once the shower theme is decided, all the details can come into place and the fun can begin! Bridal shower themes can be anything from a single color to an exotic locale, or the bride's favorite pastime.

A popular bridal shower theme is "Pampering the Bride". The ladies get together and shower the bride with gifts meant to help her relax and unwind before the biggest day of her life. When planning a pampering shower, the invitation should instruct the guests to bring items suited to the purpose, such as bath products, gift certificates to a spa or salon, and yoga lessons. One idea is to have the shower at a spa or salon. There are plenty of places that specialize in hosting showers. What is more enjoyable than to spend a day at a spa with a group of your best girls?

Themes can also be practical, catered to fulfill the bride's or the couple's needs. For instance, a honeymoon shower will focus the topic of discussion on the honeymoon destination. Gifts can include helpful items like maps, travel books, or luggage. Food, wedding decorations, bridal shower favors and music can also be used to incorporate the theme of a honeymoon destination.

The ideas are limitless, so use your imagination and make the occasion meaningful as well as unforgettable!

Popular Bridal Shower Themes. . .

Tea Party
Serve tea along with finger foods such as scones, finger sandwiches, petite fours, etc...

Room of the House
Each guest is "assigned" a room of the house and brings a gift to be used in that room.

Lingerie
Guests bring their favorite lingerie for the bride!

Around the Clock
Each guest is assigned a "time," such as breakfast time or bath time. Their gifts should reflect this time.

Ethnic Theme
Using the bride's heritage, plan a shower with her favorite ethnic foods! For example, serve fresh fruit, poi poi and tropical drinks at a Hawaiian themed wedding shower. The decorations and favors should also have an ethnic flair.

Christmas Ornament
Guests are instructed to bring a ornament for the couple's first Christmas tree. Great for winter showers.

Garden Party
Host a shower in a garden setting and decorate the tables with beautiful flowers. Ask guests to bring gifts that the bride in use in her garden.

Stock the Bar
If you're throwing a couple wedding shower, a popular theme is stock the pantry. Guests bring gifts to help the couple stock their bar.

Month of the Year
Each guest is assigned a month of the year. This allows the bride to receive seasonal gifts that she can enjoy throughout the year.

Favorite Memories
Each guest brings a gift that represents a favorite past time spent with the bride.

Pajamas Theme
Have guests arrive in the evening dressed in their PJ's. The evening is filled with manicures, pedicures, facials and massages, and lots of girl talk!

Stock the Pantry
Have each guest write their favorite recipe on a recipe card and bring the card along with all non-perishable ingredients for the recipe in a box or gift basket.