How to Throw a Couples Bridal Shower
Bridal showers aren't just for brides these days; often the groom and other male family members and friends are invited to join in the festivities. This can throw a wrench in the planning, though, since many of the traditional games and themes for bridal showers don't suit a coed party. Strike a balance between feminine and masculine; make the guys feel welcome, but don't swing so far toward the macho side that the ladies don't have fun. Most of all, remember the party should be about the couple.
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Things You'll Need
- Guest list prepared by the couple
- Streamers and balloons in wedding colors
- Congratulatory banner
- Food and drinks
- Games and activities
Instructions
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Choose a location for the party. The size of the guest list, which should be drawn up with plenty of input from the couple, will help determine the location of the shower. Avoid tea rooms and sports bars; pick something gender-neutral, such as the banquet room at the couple's favorite restaurant or a multipurpose room at a community center or church.
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Decorate the venue in a way that is welcoming to both genders. Hang balloons and streamers in the couple's wedding colors and make a banner congratulating them both. Place unusual, amusing centerpieces on the tables instead of flowers or candles, such as word puzzles or bowls of mini building blocks.
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Provide refreshments of a wide variety, including drinks such as punch and sodas. If you serve alcohol, have at least two options, such as beer and wine or mixed drinks and beer. Save money by serving appetizers instead of a full meal.
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Prepare several activities in which all guests can participate. Ask each guest to introduce himself or herself and relate one memorable moment about the couple. Play a “How well do you know the couple?" game, using questions like, “Where did Angela and Stan meet?” Give guests activities to choose from, in case the men get antsy during the gift-opening. Set up a gaming corner with a video game system and put in a 2-player game. Lay out a scrapbook in another corner with markers and notecards for guests to write advice or other sentiments to the couple.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are a friend of the bride, enlist the help of someone who knows the groom well, such as the best man or one of his siblings, to be sure the party will be to his liking, too.
Resources
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