Planning a Bridal Shower Brunch

Planning a brunch for a bridal shower can be a terrific way to have an elegant, but simple and inexpensive party. Most food and beverages served for a bunch are easy to make and many can be made ahead of time. If you are thinking about hosting a bridal shower, consider planning a bridal shower brunch.

Most of the time, a brunch is a meal that is served between breakfast and lunch. Brunch can be served any time between about 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Brunch foods are versatile, too. A hostess may choose to serve egg dishes or casseroles, fruits, finger sandwiches and desserts. Drinks at a brunch can range from soda, to punch or juice, to alcoholic beverages such as champagne or mimosas.

Hosting a brunch can be easy to plan and prepare. In addition, you can plan a nice and elegant brunch on a budget, too. When you begin planning for the brunch, consider where the brunch will be held. It is acceptable to serve a brunch in a buffet style. You might only need a long table to hold all of the food. If your home is short on space, consider having the brunch at a restaurant that specializes in brunch meals. Some places even have large rooms for parties and showers and can offer special menu items. It is possible that many restaurants that do not normally serve breakfast, will offer a brunch buffet on Sunday mornings.

Planning a brunch bridal shower will be easier once you have a guest list and know how many people you are expecting. This will tell you how many tables and seating areas you will need. You will also know how much of each type of food will be necessary to serve. Work with the bride-to-be while planning a bridal brunch to find out what she likes. Serve a menu that will please her and the guests. In addition, brunch is a perfect way to host a co-ed shower where both men and women are invited.

You can keep the brunch shower elegant and simple. Some simple ideas for decorations include using pressed white table clothes and simple floral arrangements on the tables. If you are hosting a buffet, decorate the buffet table with roses in the color of the bride’s wedding. If you have silver or china that you do not use very often, a brunch is the perfect opportunity to dust it off and put it in use. Do not worry, though, if you do not have china. Visit a party supply store and purchase sturdy clear plastic tableware. This is inexpensive, yet it looks nice. Using disposable plates and forks makes clean up a breeze, too.

There are many food options when you are planning a bridal brunch. Many brunch foods can be made ahead of time and heated right before the shower. If you do not enjoy cooking, you can still host a brunch with minimal cooking. Check with your local warehouse store for bulk food items such as croissants, muffins, frozen quiche, and seasonal fruits. Find pretty platters and serving dishes and transfer the items before the shower begins. The food will be delicious, but the time you have spent is minimal. Also, you might consider a potluck bridal shower brunch. Have everyone bring his or her favorite dish to share. You could even ask the guests to bring the recipe to give to the bride for her collection. If you have a large guest list you might want to consider a certain food category by last name. For example, if the last names begin with A-C, bring a dessert. This will ensure that there are a variety of foods available.

If you do want to cook, here are some suggestions that are always welcome at a bridal shower brunch. Look for seasonal fruits and vegetables and make a platter with dip. Fruits are always good with chocolate dip or a flavored yogurt. Serve vegetables with a light dip. There are many good egg recipes that can be made in advance. Quiche with ham, bacon and broccoli is a good option for a brunch. Other casseroles might include an egg strata made with sausage or a layered potato and ham casserole. Muffins, breads, bagels, sausage links, finger sandwiches and desserts are other ideas for a brunch. Hosting a brunch is a great way to have a bridal shower. The foods can be kept simple, giving you time to spend visiting with the guests.

Crafty Bridal Showers - Learn Something New and Have Fun Too!

A bridal craft shower can be a great way to have a fun time while learning a new skill, too. There are many ways a hostess can throw a craft bridal shower. Party guests can make something that the bride can use in her new home, make wedding decorations or just get together to have a good time. Everyone can appreciate learning a new crafting technique. These parties can be versatile because they can be hosted in a home or many craft supplies stores can host a craft party for nearly any occasion.

A craft bridal shower is best suited for brides that do not mind not having a traditional shower. Ask the bride-to-be before planning a party and find out what kind of crafts interests her. Tailor the party around her preferences and this will ensure that everyone will have a good time. Another good idea when hosting a craft bridal shower is to put on the invitation that crafts are going to be made. Guest can be prepared and know what kind of clothing to wear and what kind of supplies they need to bring, too.

Craft bridal showers can be easily held at a home or at another location. If you choose to have the shower in a home, make certain that there is plenty of room. Cover work surfaces and make sure that floors will not get ruined if paint or glue is spilled. Consider hiring someone that specializes in a certain technique to come to your home to teach. If you decide that it would be more practical to hold the shower in another location, look into rooms that can be rented for a minimal price. Recreation centers are often a perfect choice because they offer large rooms with lots of tables and chairs. Also, look into sewing stores or craft supply stores. Many of these locations have rooms available for rent or offer classes.

There are many fun and interesting ideas for anyone wanting to host a craft bridal shower. Here are some ideas that will make any guests and the bride have a great time.

Pottery painting: Pottery painting is a terrific way to hold a craft bridal shower. There are many places that specialize in pottery painting and hold classes. Guests can choose almost anything they would like to paint ranging from frames, vases, bowls and plates. If the bride has specific colors for her new kitchen, consider having everyone paint a dinner plate to add to her collection. If guests prefer taking their new treasure home, think about painting one large serving platter for the bride and let everyone help decorate. This will be useful and she will always remember those who attended her shower.

Sewing classes: Almost anyone can benefit from learning basic sewing techniques. If most of your guests are interested in sewing, consider taking a sewing class as the shower. Most fabric stores and sewing centers offer classes for the beginner and for the more advanced. You do not have to just learn to sew a skirt, either. Take a class to learn how to make fashionable tote bags and purses, scarves and hats and even quilts. You can even host a quilting party at home. Have each guest decorate one or two squares and then have someone quilt them together. The new bride will always treasure a handmade quilt.

Floral arrangement: With the right supplies, learning to make pretty floral arrangements can be easy and fun. Gather up supplies and spend an evening making table centerpieces for the wedding reception. If the bride wants handmade items for her wedding, you can also have guests help make pew bows and floral arrangements and even the boutonnieres for the men in the wedding party. Not only will it be a memorable experience for the bride and the shower guests, but it saves her money and is practical as well.

Scrapbooking and card making: Many people enjoy scrapbooking and card making. Host a bridal shower at a scrapbook store and have a teacher available to teach those who may be beginners. Another idea is to gather pictures of the new bride and groom and everyone make a page for her to keep. This is a great memento and she can continue the scrapbook after the wedding.

The ideas for hosting a craft bridal shower are endless. These types of showers can be a great way for the bride and the shower guests to learn a new crafting technique while having a memorable time together.

Bridal Shower Sleepovers - Pretend You All Are Teenagers Again!

Do you remember the times when you and your girlfriends used to have pajama parties? Do you remember how much fun these evenings of polishing toe nails and finger nails could be? Perhaps what sticks most in your mind is the camaraderie you felt with the girls your age and how much you all bonded in these days. Of course, times have long since changed and you have all finally grown up. You have graduated from school, have jobs, understand the importance of making that rent- car-, or mortgage payment, and some may have already tied the know and may even be raising children of their own! Yet who says that the fun has to stop simply because the earnestness of life has caught up with you? For that friend who is just now ready to take that leap into married bliss, why not relive the evenings and nights of the fun you used to share as young girls, why not have bridal shower sleepovers? Pretend you are all teenagers again and for one evening just act as goofy as you did when you were – here are some sure tips to make this party a success.

Which sleepover would be complete without the horror movie? Yet instead of renting the latest and the greatest, why not rent the cheesiest and the funniest? Why not rent the worst of the “B” movies, or the movies you used to all watch together at the last teenage sleepover?

Another sleepover staple is the makeup. Do you remember trying out each others’ eye shadow, lipstick, and eye liner? Well, now you or one of your friends may very well be involved in make up sales, you know, one of your friends may surreptitiously be placing catalogs all around the house whenever she visits you and this would be her time to shine! What a wonderful opportunity to try out the latest colors and see how they look on yourself and your friends!

Of course, where there is make up, there is nail polish, and which sleepover would be complete without painting each others’ finger and toe nails!

Food is another integral part of the sleepover bridal shower. Since you are no longer teenagers, you will probably want something a little more sophisticated than potato chips and soda, while at the same time nobody wants to be stuck in the kitchen cooking, cleaning, or putting plates together. For this reason it is best to keep it simple and put together some finger foods. If you have the funds, go ahead and call a caterer. If this is out of your price range, you may want to consider making it pot luck. Foods can include rock melon wrapped in thin proscuitto ham, pate, a variety of cheeses and crackers, and pita triangles with humus. All these can be made ahead of time and do not require any lengthy heating or cooking while at the same time minimizing the clean up time required.

Allow the evening to progress. What many bridal showers have in common is the almost rigid adherence to a protocol that dictates when food will be had, when games will be played, and when presents would be opened. If you will remember your last teenage sleepover, you will know that these occasions progress at their own pace and in their own good time. Why not use this wisdom for the sleepover bridal shower? Allow the conversation to flow naturally and guests to eat and drink and be merry when they feel up to it. Allow the bride the freedom to open one ore more presents when she is good and ready.

Once the pressure to perform all the dictates of a traditional bridal shower is taken out of the equation, what remains is the possibility of some real life fun. Old friendships may be strengthened, new friendships may be formed, good advice will be given, and good food will be eaten. Life will be grand and the bride will look back on her bridal shower for years to come, fondly remembering the conversations, laughs, and overall wonderful atmosphere you provided by doing something totally different! Go for it!

How to Host a Bridal Shower in an Office Setting

Bridal showers are much less formal than in the past. With more people working long hours during the day, an office shower is the answer for many busy people. Most offices now have more relaxed rules about socializing, making the office a perfect place to throw a shower.

There are many ways to hold a shower. Some brides prefer a couple’s shower that includes the groom, while others prefer a more traditional women-only party. Bridal showers that are held in the office are easy to plan and you can count on the attendance to be high. When you get ready to plan a bridal shower in the office consider the following tips and ideas to host the perfect bridal shower at work.

Most bridal showers are held about two months prior to the wedding. This gives the bride and groom plenty of time to plan ahead while they are still concentrating on their wedding. If you are giving a bridal shower in the office, this is no exception. Also, before you plan a big shower at the office, consider the bride and groom’s guest list. As a general rule, it is not good etiquette to invite someone to a shower that has not been invited to a wedding. This is not a hard and fast rule though. There are exceptions, such as when the bride and groom travel far away for a wedding and might only have family in attendance.

When planning a bridal shower at the office, the first step you should take is to talk with the management and get permission. You might find that your company prefers that the shower be held outside of the office during lunch break. Others might approve of giving the shower at the office and not have a problem with doing so. Also, consider everyone’s work schedule. Make sure that you plan the shower at a time when everyone can be in attendance. If you work somewhere that must stay open to customers or clients, be sure that there is a time frame when the shower will not be interrupted.

Lunchtime might be a perfect time to plan the bridal shower. Try to keep the shower from becoming lengthy when you are hosting it during the day. Usually an hour is a perfect time. It might even be possible to request a long lunch hour for the shower. If you are giving the shower during lunch hour consider a potluck style luncheon. Have everyone bring a certain dish so that those who are invited can enjoy a meal and the shower at the same time. The other option is to collect money before the shower from everyone. Use that money to purchase a catered meal, deli tray or other easy to serve refreshments. Do not forget to include drinks and other items you will need such as eating utensils, plates and napkins. Remember that alcohol is not appropriate in an office setting. Limit the drinks that are offered to sodas or non-alcoholic punch.

Many times when showers are held at the office, everyone likes the idea of contributing money towards one large gift. This can often be the easiest way to have a shower at work. Having one large gift will cut down on the amount of time needed to open gifts. In addition, individuals can contribute any amount that they see fit and not feel pressured to give expensive gifts. If you do collect money and find that they contributions are low, consider having less food and snacks and concentrate on just a cake and drinks. If the bride has not registered for gifts, consider purchasing a gift card with the money that has been collected. This can be a great way for the bride and groom to buy exactly what is needed and is almost always appreciated.

In addition, when you are giving a bridal shower at the office, try to keep decorations to a minimum for easy clean up. There may not be much time for set up or the office may have limited amounts of space. Place tablecloths on the tables and hang a banner or balloons. This should be enough decoration to set the mood without going overboard.

The main idea of a shower in the office is to get co-workers together to honor the bride or groom. Everyone can appreciate a shower that is kept simple, but festive.