Wedding Showers

History of the Bridal Shower

In times gone by bridal showers were used to ensure that the bride was well prepared for married life. In fact, the idea of the traditional bridal shower originated in Holland. If a Dutch bride was unfortunate enough to have her father disapprove of her choice in husbands, he would not offer a dowry (Money or property brought by a bride to her husband at marriage). Her friends would then shower her with gifts so she could still marry her man, without the help of her father’s money.
http://www.topweddingsites.com/wedding-blog/pre-wedding-parties/bridal-showers/planning-perfect-wedding-shower







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Bridal Shower Gifts

By this point most couples have already registered for wedding gifts so you are welcome to check out their registry. However, I would take a differnt route and really make it about the bride. A few great wedding shower gifts are:

Photo Albums- maybe filled with memories of you her and her groom to be.

Bridal Lingerie- nothing to risque remember she will be opening this in front of family

Wedding Gown Preservation Kit

Bridal Bouquet Preservation Kit

Bridal Shower Bouquet Making Kit- for making the rehearsal bouquet





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Bridal Shower Invitations

Mail three to four weeks before the event and include the following information:

Name of the bride-to-be.
Date of the Shower.
Time of the Shower
Address where the shower is being held.
Name and phone number of the hostess/hostesses.
An RSVP date usually two weeks before the shower
Bridal Shower theme. Usually your invites will reflect this.
Home decorating colors. (If applicable).
It is helpful to enclose a map of the shower location.






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Bridal Shower Games
Now every bride has going through their pretty little heads that I must make these games doable for everyone so I'm gonna play bridal bingo that way grammy has a chance to play too! This is not how I think. I think grammy wants a change too so liven it up a bit... and here are a few games that will do that! If you do want sit down print out games though there are lots of websites that you can find free printable games.

Toilet Paper Wedding Dress
Submitted by: Bliss!™
This is one of the more popular games played at bridal showers. We divided the guests (including me and my bridesmaids) into teams of three. Each team was handed four rolls of white toilet paper (recycled, of course) and were given 20 minutes to design a wedding dress. Each team chooses a "bride" and then proceeds to design a dress and wrap the "bride" within the allotted time. Each team bride was then paraded in front of the guests (it was hilarious on how some of my friends' creative juices flowed!) and votes were taken to determine the prettiest bridal gown. A gift was then awarded to the chosen bride and her design team!
http://www.blissweddings.com/library/games.asp

Purse Scavenger Hunt
Submitted by: Bliss!™
Divide the guests into teams of two or three. Provide each team a list of items to be found in their purses. Each item is assigned a certain number of points. The most likely found item such as lipstick is assigned 20 points. Whereas an item such as a rock is assigned 75 points. You can do this as individuals as well.
http://www.blissweddings.com/library/games.asp

"Don't Cross Your Legs"
Submitted by: Bliss!™
Each woman is given a clothespin to clip to the end of her skirt/dress. The purpose of the game is to NOT get caught crossing your legs at any time throughout the bridal shower. If one of the other guests catch you crossing your legs then she can grab your clothespin. The guest who collects the most clothespins, wins the game. You will be surprised at how natural it is for women to cross their legs so this will be a fun game to play as the bridal shower progresses.
http://www.blissweddings.com/library/games.asp

The Bride Leaves the Room
Submitted by: A. J. of London, Ontario
Ask the bride to leave the room. The guests are asked to write down ten or fifteen things about the bride such as what color is her hair and what are the colors of her eyes. Also, what color of clothing is she wearing, what kind of jewelry is she wearing or any other accessories. The guest with the most correct answers wins a prize.
http://www.blissweddings.com/library/games.asp

Newspaper Bridal Dress Game
Submitted by: Norma of Newberg, Oregon
We had the guests make a bridal dress from newspaper. The shower guests were divided into teams. Each team was given scissors, tape, and a stack of newspapers. They were to make just one part of the wedding gown: sleeve, bodice, train, skirt, veil, shoes, etc. If your shower is small, concentrate on the main parts of the dress. If it is a large shower, yOur Storys will be larger and you can make assignments accordingly. The bride then must wear the gown over her clothing and pose for a picture (include a Polaroid picture for her).
http://www.blissweddings.com/library/games.asp

How Well Do You Know the Bride?
Submitted by: A. S. of Kingsport, Tennessee
Give each guest a note pad-size paper and pen. Have questions ready to ask such as, how old is the bride, her mother's name, what college/university/high school did she attend, her favorite soft drink, the names of her brothers/sisters, her wedding date, the colors of her wedding, her fiance parents names, what size shoe, her favorite color, favorite TV show/soap, etc. The guest that answers the most correct wins a prize. You will be amazed what people do or do not know. It will start great conversations.
http://www.blissweddings.com/library/games.asp


Bridal Shower Themes
Colors are great themes so are seasons. Some women have specific types of parties: Pampered Chef, Lingerie, Naughty Parties, Jewelry Parties etc etc. You know me by now I would much rather show you pictures than try and explain so here we go!!!!


Silhouette
http://rochesterweddingconnection.com/images/2334282470_6daf097d94.jpg




Something Blue
http://www.thoughtfullysimple.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/something-blue-bridal-shower-idea-and-theme.jpg




Exotic Paradise Spring- Summer
http://static.blisstree.com/files/2008/02/spring-summer-bridal-shower.jpg



Summer Time
http://rochesterweddingconnection.com/images/2409623835_7aaf81df8d.jpg




Lingerie Party
Some may feel this is more appropriate for a bachelorette party
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Spring Time Showers
http://pinkandgreenweddings.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/shower-72.jpg




Tea Party
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Hope this helps anyone planning a bridal shower whether it be the bride herself or a lucky relative or friend. Happy Planning!!!!