A "Good Advice" Bridal Shower

Better Homes & Garden had an unique bridal shower idea-a "good advice" bridal shower. While giving advice to the bride for a happy marriage is a common idea, this gives this common theme a new take. In the shower invites, tuck a blank card inside and tell each guest to write down a bit of wisdom to go with her gift. Tell the bride to read aloud the advice card before the bride opens the present. At the end gather the advice cards from each guest and place them in an album along with photos from the bridal shower to create a keepsake the bride will always cherish.

Another take: have the guests (or the bride) guess what the gift is before the bride opens it. Sometimes the advice given (say "never go to bed angry") can make for interesting gifts.

Giving the bride the practical gift paired with the sentimental advice can be tricky. Here a few creative ideas BH&G gives us to get you started:

Advice: Celebrate every day.
Gift: Champagne flutes or a beautiful cake plate.

Advice: Take turns cooking for each other.
Gift: Favorite cookbook and kitchen tools.

Advice: Experience new things.
Gift: Travel accessories.

Some others:

Advice: A happy wife equals a happy life.

Gift: Spa gift certificate, bath & body products

Advice: "Love is when mommy gives daddy the best piece of chicken." Elaine - age 5

Gift: Cooking and baking pans

Advice: Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.
Gift: Comedy DVD

Of course BH&G takes the theme to an extreme. Besides the gifts, they suggest naming and serving food with the same theme. Think a clever quote to a toothpick topper on the cupcakes, Sage (Advice) Biscuits,and "Confucius Says" Noodle Salad recipe. And for favors: fortune cookies of course!

DIY: French Wedding Favor or Dessert

(Image via ParisianEvents)

Having a French, Parisian, or Marie Antoinette bridal shower? Then consider serving these delightful treats-French meringue hearts. The recipe can be found at Parisian Events.These would be great for dessert, as part of a candy buffet, or to serve as favors and quite frankly just look absolutely amazing.

Giveaways-Link Love

Other related contests on the web:

The 818 is giving away a $75 gift certificate to Fabulous Stationery. We love their selection of notes and cards.

Bridal Shower Activity: Decorating Wine Glasses

Looking for something to do at the bridal shower other than our fabulous shower games-why not decorate wine glasses? This would be a great activity to do at a stock the bar shower but would also be fun for most bridal showers and bachelorette parties.

Wine and Designs offers kits that include Wine Glasses, Permanent Glass Paints, Brushes, Stencil ideas, and Instructions for completing your masterpieces.

Look at Create for Less for unique rub on transfers to put on the glasses. Rub-ons are the easiest for a party as they don't make a mess and even the unskilled can use them. Also buy extra glass paint, brushes, and stencils.

Try etching monograms or other designs. Michaels has a great project where they show you how to easily etch glasses. It's fairly simple: position vinyl letter sticker and tape on the glass. (The glass will not etch where the vinyl is positioned.) Paint the etching cream onto the glass in a smooth layer. Allow it to set for as long as the manufacturer recommends. Rinse the etching cream off the glass with warm water in a stainless steel sink or bowl.

Each guest can take home their wine glass or give them all to the bride so the bride now has an excellent collection for her bar.

(Thanks to Elizabeth Anne Designs for the inspiration for this post.)

DIY Doily Bridal Shower Invitation

Wow-take a look at this bridal shower invite. We never would have thought of using a doily in this manner (to make a bridal gown) yet the whole DIY project is both easy to do and looks great.

Bridal Party FAQ: Does a pregnant bridesmaid have to step down?

Q: I just found out that I'm pregnant and at the time of the wedding I'll be 7 months pregnant. What should I do? Should I step down or continue to be a bridesmaid?

A: Congrats on being pregnant! Just because you're pregnant does not mean that you cannot be a bridesmaid. Some considerations:

-Will you be able to travel to the wedding? Depending on where the wedding is, you might be unable to fly or might feel uncomfortable taking a 12 hour drive when you're eight months pregnant. You might want to ask your doctor about future travel arrangements.

-The actual ceremony can be concern too. Will you be standing for an hour long ceremony or can you ask the bride to provide a chair for you?

-Does the dress concern you? Many bridesmaid styles are available in maternity sizes so it should not be too difficult to find a dress that fits you.

-Does the bride want you to continue to be in the bridal party? Most brides will but some brides feel uncomfortable having a heavily pregnant bridesmaid in photos or at the wedding. If you think the bride cares about silly matters like this, then give the bride a chance to have you back down.

Bridal Shower Brunch: Drink Bars

(Image via YumSugar)

Just because you're having a bridal shower brunch doesn't mean that the drinks have to take a backseat-instead organize the drinks into a drink bar where guests can choose from a wide range of alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks.

• Serve different types of orange juice and place in carafes.
• Suggestion from Yumsugar, place vodka, Champagne, and sparkling water beside the juice so if any guests want to have a spiked beverage they easily can.
• Have a signature cocktail prepared in pitchers. Try a classic Bloody Mary,Blood Orange Champagne Cocktail, or Pomegranate Mimosas.
  
• Make a smoothie bar. To save on time and mess, make the smoothies ahead of time and serve in small glasses so guests can choose the one they best like. Our suggestions: Coconut, Strawberry, and Banana; Peach-Honey; and Papaya Pineapple.
• If smoothies are too much trouble (or too heavy for the weather), try a juice bar with a variety of different juice drinks. We like the idea of Melon Coolers or Cucumber-Lime Agua.
• Tea and coffee should be standard but consider offering tea and coffee drinks like Iced Caramel Coffee or Green Chai Spa Tea.