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.)

Guestbook Idea-Sign the Wine!

(Image via Myownlabels)

Miss Sunbeam from Weddingbee has an unique guestbook idea-have guests sign a 1.5 Liter bottle of wine! They're planning on having guests sign it at their wedding and then opening it for their anniversary.

While the Sunbeams are planning on using this for their wedding guestbook, we think it's a great idea for a bridal shower (or bachelorette party) guestbook. Not only is it creative and different, but its also practical-the bride gets a great bottle of wine to drink. This would be a great way to complement a wine tasting, a stock the bar shower, or any shower for the gal who loves her vino.

Our suggestions:
-Use a paint pen to write on the label. Try a sample label first to make sure the writing stays on the label.

-Customize the wine. No need to have a boring label-if this is a bottle they'll be keeping then make it one they'd want to keep. Try customizing the label-we love MyOwnLabels where you can choose from a variety of label styles and colors.

-It doesn't have to be wine. Try beer or other liquors like large bottles of vodka or rum.

DIY Wine Cork Coasters & Place Card Holders

Chances are that if you're having a wine tasting as part of the bridal shower or bachelorette party, then you end up with dozens of wine corks and seemingly nothing to do with them. Along comes some great DIY crafts that use the wine corks.

Wine Cork Coasters & Place Card Holders from Plentymag
Wine Cork Place Card Holder from Casasugar
Wine Cork Wreaths from DIY Network

Obviously these make great favors or decorations, especially for Stock the Bar showers or wine tastings.

Bridal Shower Theme: Stock the Bar Shower

Image courtesy of www.freefoto.com

Stock the Bar

What it is: Who wouldn't like this type of party? You're asking guests to bring over the essentials for a great bar-the liquor, the glasses, the mixes! As a result, the couple now have one less expense in setting up their house.

Best For: Every bride loves this type of shower, but it's an especially good choice for the bride who has already set up her house-she may have all the dishes she'll need but she could always use more bottles of wine. Since the atmosphere is not necessarily girly, this shower makes a great choice for a couples shower. It's usually best for the younger crowd-Aunt Edna might not appreciate buying a bottle of Jack Daniel's for her favorite niece.

Planning Tip:
- Instead of asking guests to write their favorite recipes down, ask guests to write their favorite alcoholic drinks like their favorite recipe for sangria or martinis.
-Combine it with the bachelorette party. The "stock the bar shower" can be earlier in the afternoon with the bachelorette bash at night.
-If the couple really loves wine, then you could make wine the focus. (Likewise for beer, martinis, margaritas, etc.)

Venue
-Be creative with where to have it. This doesn't have to be a stuffy shower in a hall. Wine schools, like the the Wine School of Philadelphia offer private classes with expert sommeliers who explain different types of wine. Rather have the bridal shower at home, then look for companies like the Traveling Vineyard which offers in-home wine tastings. Google local wine sommeliers in your area to find one whose willing to come out for the party.

Activities
-Obvious choice-a wine tasting! Of course, wine tastings are not the only thing you could do at a "stock the bar" shower; beer, margarita, martini, and even sake tastings could all be done.

-Make vodka infusions. Look at Infused Vodka for supplies and ideas-also check out the vodka infusion recipes and Vodka Infusion Party for tips on vodka infusions. (You could make some ahead of time to serve at the shower too or to give out as favors.)

-Decorate wine, margarita, or martini glasses. Cheap ones can usually be found at Walmart, Target, or yard sales. Use rub-on transfers, found at normal arts & crafts stores, to decorate glasses.

The Menu
Many choose to stick with the alcohol theme. You can build the entire shower around the bar!
Some ideas:
-Wine and cheese tasting
-Mexican-Serve Coronas, margaritas, along with Mexican food.
-Pub food like fish and chips, burgers, fries, along with beer.
-Beer and chocolate tasting.
Be sure to provide plenty of food if guests are going to be drinking. Also provide non-alcoholic drinks.

Registry
A stock the bar shower is a good choice for a shower when the bride hasn't registered-guests can simply go to their local liquor store and pick up some bottles. If the bride has registered, she probably added registry classics like wine glasses to her registry anyway. However, it never hurts to register just to be sure that the bride gets exactly what her and her groom drink. Try Vino Classics, Bottle Notes, or the local wine shop where the couple can create a wine registry.

Favors
If you're going to give out favors keep the theme in mind. Make infused vodkas like this one, cranberry infused vodka, ahead of time to give out as favors.

Invitations Wording
Soon (bride's name) & (groom's name)will no longer be single

So let's get together to mix & mingle

Join us for a Stock the Bar Shower...

He loves beer and she loves wine,
but the bride also loves barware so fine!
So bring some bar tools, or even beer
As we wish them a lifetime of happiness & cheer

Bride and Groom have finally set a date

Now it’s time to celebrate!

Help us stock their bar

Bring your favorite wine or cigar

Bride’s wedding is not far

Let’s gather to stock her bar

Fill her shelves with liquor and wine

So glasses won’t be empty when guests come to dine!