Are you planning a bridal party for someone special? Here are few ideas for this spring & summer. Courtesy of Bride Magazine
While everyone wants to celebrate the bride-to-be, it's no secret that bridal showers can become a bit of a drag. The same bridal shower themes, bridal shower games, and brunch food can get to be a bit mundane, especially if it’s your eighth bridal shower of the year. Luckily, it doesn’t have to be this way. Spring and summer bridal showers offer endless opportunities for celebratory themes guaranteed to surprise and delight your guests.
Here are 17 ideas hot enough for your favorite warm-weathered seasons. From fiestas to luaus, these spring and summer bridal shower themes are anything but boring!
Pool Party
To be honest, in the dog days of summer, bridal showers can mean one less beach or pool day before the season is over. So why not embrace both? Hosting a poolside party has tons of benefits, not least of which is a relaxed atmosphere in the sun. Pop some fun floats in the pool—we’re partial to the flamingo—and gift monogrammed beach towels for each of your guests. Serve up poolside classics, like daiquiris, cold beers, and Arnold Palmers, alongside light bites including guacamole and ceviche. It’ll be like a scene out of a Slim Aarons photograph. Just remember to word the invitation properly, so guests know to bring their swimsuits, and provide an SPF bar to avoid nasty tan lines before the big day.
Rosé on the Roof
City dwellers know that spring and summer entertainment involves rooftops, so what better place to throw a bridal shower? Stock the ice buckets with Domaines Ott rosé wine (a French seaside classic) and Louis Roederer Rosé Champagne—it’s time for Rosé on the Roof. Deck out the terrace or patio with floral arrangements and comfortable seating, then serve up wine-friendly fare like crab-topped salad, shrimp skewers, and veggie wraps.
Garden Party
Instantly transport your guests to the English countryside with a sophisticated soirée in a manicured garden or greenhouse. It will be your very own garden party. Think floral-print dresses, lavender-garnished cocktails, and plenty of blooms alongside a farm-fresh menu. A string quartet will further set the mood as well classic entertainment like archery. For a modern upgrade, host a make-your-own flower crown bar or a workshop on how to arrange freshly cut blossoms.
Black and White Party
Make like Truman Capote and host your own black and white masquerade ball—or, at least, a dinner party. Ask guests to don their best black or white formal attire, masks preferred, for an elegant soiree at your home. Hire a chef or caterer to handle the food and a bartender to keep the Champagne flowing. Bonus points for building a Champagne tower. It will be a night none of your gals will forget, just like the guests of the famed 1966 party.
Fiesta, Fiesta
Move over, Taco Tuesdays. For the bride with an affinity for tacos, tequila, and all the guac (ie. all of us), throw a fiesta complete with colorful papel picados and a mariachi band. A margarita bar is a necessity, as is a selection of spicy salsas for dipping chips. You can throw this party inside or out, making it flexible in case of inclement weather, and well, does anyone not like a taco theme?
Mimosa Party
Nothing goes better with brunch foods than mimosas. Put a spin on standard OJ and prosecco by offering a lineup of fruit juices, including grapefruit, cranberry, and pear, along with brut bubbles and festive garnishes such as strawberries, herbs, and edible flowers. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, try something like Fluffpop, gold-flecked cotton candy you can place on top of a glass of bubbles. Talk about a party in a glass.
Tea Party
This popular bridal shower theme is always a fan favorite, but it’s due for an upgrade. Skip the Mad Hatter theme in favor of a modern spin: make your own herbal tea bar. Guests can mix their own blend of loose leaf tea, by scooping everything from black tea leaves to star anise and rose petals into a strainer. Brew and ta-da! It works for iced teas too, and we’re not opposed to a spiked version to get the party started. You can also bring in an ayurvedic expert or certified tea blender to help lead the class. You’ll learn what works and what doesn’t, especially to help cure ailments and boost things like libido. Pinkies up.
Luau
Cue the hula dancers, it’s time for a luau. Though this is a time-honored party and bridal shower theme, it never fails to excite guests, especially in tropical summer weather. Have guests wear their best floral prints and bright colors, deck the space out in tiki torches and orchids, and of course, “lei” all your friends and family as they arrive—no pun intended. For food and beverage, think Polynesian classics: kalua pork, poke bowls, fresh pineapple, and tiki cocktails. For an unique twist on the standard celebration, hire an Elvis impersonator to sing some of the King’s Hawaiian-inspired classics on a ukulele.
Day at a Winery
Spend the day tasting white and red wines, learning how wine is made, and of course, sipping a glass on a patio with a giant cheese plate at a destination bridal shower at a local winery. There a plenty of wonderful winerys in most areas that are great for groups since they have indoor and outdoor seating, scenic views, and amazing wines. Look for a local winery with lots of options to make it the perfect outing with your favorite ladies.
Brewery Tour
Beer more the bride’s thing? Never mind the winery; hit a local brewery instead. Tour the facilities to see how the brews are made and taste through different styles and flavors before ordering some pitchers and food for a celebratory affair. There are ton of great breweries all areas. You’d be hard-pressed to find a region without its own local craft brews and a staff ready to host your shindig.
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Is the bride a literature lover? If so, she just might adore a Shakespearean-themed shower, celebrating A Midsummer Night's Dream. Think lush green florals, glowing lanterns, and twinkling lights for decor musts, while flower crowns of baby’s breath can help with the magical vibes. For final touches, incorporate quotes from the tale as centerpieces or decorative accents to tie it all together.
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