Ten Favorite Bridal Shower Themes

From lingerie love to kitchen finds, find out which bridal shower themes reign supreme! (expert advice)

photo by Union Photography Pictures

Need a little inspiration as you plan your best friend's bridal shower? Mindy Weiss' outstanding guide, The Wedding Book, covers all of your bridal bases!

Among some of their great shower tips:

~Only invite those who will be invited to the wedding!

~Each wedding guest should only be invited to one shower!

~Co-ed showers are mostly held during the weekend evenings, while women-only showers usually take place in the afternoon.

Here are their top ten shower themes:

1. Alphabet Shower: Every guest is assigned a letter of the alphabet
and asked to bring a gift that starts with that letter.

2. Around-the-Clock Shower: Guests are assigned a time of day and asked to bring a corresponding gift. Eight in the morning might elicit egg cups or juice glasses; 11 P.M. might mean a nightie.

3. Around-the-House Shower: Each guest is assigned a room and brings a gift for it. The living room might prompt a throw for the couch, while the bathroom might get you his-and hers bathrobes.

4. Holiday Shower: Not a good shower for basics, but a festive option if you're having multiple showers. Everyone is given a holiday and chooses a gift in keeping with the day.

5. Kitchen Shower: Guests are asked to bring a gift to help outfit the kitchen.
That could mean simple gifts like a set of dishtowels or a lemon zester, or a more elaborate pick like a mixer.

6. Lingerie Shower: Another perennial favorite, the lingerie shower is ideal as a second shower. Let the host know key sizes in case guests ask for guidance.

7. Recipe Shower: Guests are asked to bring a favorite recipe and the key kitchen tools needed to make it.

8. Stock-the-Bar Shower: A popular option at couples' showers. Guests help fully outfit a bar.

9. Home Improvement Shower: Also popular for couples' showers, this theme allows the couple to get all the screwdrivers, drills, flashlights, ladders, and other gear they'll need around the house.

10. Gadget Shower: Guests are asked to bring a gadget that changed their lives for the better.

Photos by Union Photography

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574 98 6

soon2bfirstl..

08/29/2011 at 12:43 pm

very fun!

3775 205 12

ellewinfrey

08/29/2011 at 12:14 pm

These are so neat!

41 5 4

jessica456

08/29/2011 at 10:30 am

My MOH threw my shower and she chose a "Sex in the City"/Moroccan theme, which was a ton of fun. The invitation had the movie poster in the background and the party decorations consisted of Bohemian throw pillows and picture frames. We also had the movie playing on the big screen, of course.

When I hosted my sister's bridal shower a few months ago, I opted for a "Sweetheart" theme, which was basically a Valentine's Day theme. I cleaned out the dollar stores during V-Day season and bought a ton of heart decorations without the Valentine’s Day wording on them. I had several heart-shaped platters to hold the food and a sweetheart cupcake stand to hold the party favors (heart-shaped cookies wrapped in red and white tissue paper, tied with red and silver ribbons).

Both showers were a ton of fun! :-)