How to Throw a Garden Party Themed Bridal Shower

Bridal showers run the gamut of themes, and often a bride gets several showers before her big day. A garden party bridal shower is perfect for summer weddings or to help the bride with a green thumb get a variety of things she needs.

Things You'll Need

• Flower or vegetable seed packets
• Ribbon
• Simple tray that can be painted or decorated
• White paper bags
• Sand
• Candles
• Christmas lights

Instructions

1. Decide on a location. Many local resorts, conference centers and agriculture research centers have lush gardens that may be used for parties. Or use the backyard of a bridesmaid. If the backyard is not as flowery as you would like, purchase or borrow unique potted plants and set them around the party area.

2. Send out invitations inviting the guests to bring a garden item for the new couple. To avoid duplicates, you can also assign a letter to each guest and include in their invitation a seed packet of a flower beginning with their letter (zinnia for Z or rose for R). Instruct the guests to purchase a garden gift beginning with the first letter of their flower packet.

3. Decorate with simple streamers and candles. Place candles in clear vases with decorative stone in the bottom for a classy, natural centerpiece. Remember, garden parties are hinged around the garden itself and not a lot of loud decorations.

4. Use nicer linen tablecloths and real silverware if you want a more classy garden party. Or you can do a casual garden picnic with themed plastic silverware, plates and napkins.

5. Make white luminaries (or use the wedding colors) using lunch bags, sand and candles. Place them along the walkway and around the garden. You could also use strings of white Christmas lights.

6. Prepare favors for each guest by tying ribbon around a small packet of wildflower seeds. Attach a small card with the wedding date or the bridal monogram. You could also send each guest home with a single, potted flower like pansies or daisies.

7. Prepare your menu around the theme. Dirt cake makes a great centerpiece. Layer chocolate pudding and crumbled chocolate cookies in a new, plastic pot. Add gummy worms or other candy insects and a bunch of silk flowers. Of course, any cookies or mini cakes could be purchased and personalized with icing to add flowers, initials or dates. Fresh seasonal fruit is colorful and decorative and fits the theme.

8. Have each guest sign a personalized tray for the bride to be during the party. This can be used for future parties to remember the event.

Tips & Warnings

• Never leave the lumunaries, candles or lights unattended.