Theme: Mad Men Themed Bridal Shower

Sources: Kaley Goes, Etsy, Broadsheet, Beau-Coup, Tressugar, Pizzazzerie

Ah, Mad  Men.  Pretend like the bride is marrying Don Draper (lucky gal) and channel your inner housewife or working girl with this fun themed wedding shower.  Take your inspiration from the show.

Invitations
Set the mood with invites that let everyone know-this is going to be a party like its 1963.  Be sure to let everyone know to channel their best Joan, Betty, or Jackie.  We loved the invites from Etsy seller Creatively Engaged-the silhouette of the Mad Men characers sets the tone for a hip cocktail shower.

Source: Pizzazerie

Food

Think of the favorite 1960s classics like shrimp cocktail, chip and dip,  ambroasia salad, mini pineapple upside-down cakes, deviled eggs, a cheeseball and crackers, pigs-in-a-blanket, and of course, cake!  Fondue was also big in the 1960s.

Drinks

It wouldn't be a tribute to Mad Men if it weren't for cocktails.  Tom Collins, Martinis, and Vodka Gimlets were all huge in this era as were daiquiris, Manhattans, mojitos, Pink Squirrels, Whiskey Sour, Bloody Mary, and White Russians. 

-Make your own martini bar.  Set up:
1) Vodka and Gin
2) Vermouth
3) Cocktail Shaker
4) Classic martini accompaniments-Olives, cocktail onions, olive juice, lemon slices, citrus rind, maraschino cherries and any other additions you'd like to put in your cocktail.


Decor
Of course, the real retroness of this shower comes from the decor and props. Look on Craigslist, Ebay, and in vintage stores for the decor.

• Place vintage magazines, like Ladies Home Journal, Vogue, and Life around. 
• Frame copies of vintage ads around the food.   
• Use a vintage typewriter as a prop or as a guest book-have each guest write a note to the future bride.  
• The Mad Men website has a few printables of posters and door hangers to hang up.   
• Place  candy cigarettes in bowls around the shower to  help complete the 1960s feel.

Favors
Stick with the martini theme and hand out mini cocktail shakers, mini martini glasses, and cocktail mixes. 

Bridal Shower Etiquette: Should we throw one for a pregnant bride?

Q: The bride is pregnant.  Should we still throw a bridal shower for the bride?

A:   Sure. A bride who is expecting can still have a wedding shower.  Of course, there might be some practical concerns for you (and the bride.)  Does the bride need baby stuff or household items more?  Many guests will likely only bring one or buy one even if there are separate bridal and baby showers, so the bride might prefer a baby shower.

Bridal Shower Etiquette: Does The Bridal Party Have To Buy Bridal Shower Gifts?

Q: Since we have to pay for the bridal shower, are we expected to buy a gift for the shower?
A:  Yes. As friends of the bride, and even though you're hosting the shower, bridesmaids are still expected to buy a gift for the shower.  Most bridesmaids chip in and buy one large item like the china from the wedding registry.  Of course, if money is tight you can do something smaller or more heartfelt. 

Bridal Shower Etiquette: Does the Bride Have To Open Up Gifts At Her Shower?

Q: The bride has said that she doesn't want to open up gifts at her shower.  Does the bride have to open up the gifts at the shower?

A: Yes, the bride has to open up the gifts at the shower.  We can understand why some brides don't want to-some feel uncomfortable with everyone "staring" at them while they're opening the presents or some don't want to feign enthusiam for the gifts.  However, the purpose of the bridal shower is to "shower" the bride with gifts.  As a result, it is definitely expected by most of the guests, if not all, that the bride will open them at the actual shower.  If the bride doesn't, many of the guests will find it rude. 

Another consideration-if the bride doesn't open up gifts, what will the guests do instead of  watching the gift opening? Some guests have said they feel weird if the bride doesn't open up the gifts and thought,  "uhh, what are we supposed to be doing?" If the bride isn't opening up gifts, it's just a lunch with females. 

Champagne Bars-Make your own Champagne Cocktails!

Image via HiyaLuv

We just love champagne bars.  Not only are they classy but they're super appropriate for every occasion from brunch to dinner. 

You can have different champagnes for guests to try.  Or you can have a make your own champagne cocktail station. Guests love making their own drinks and the chance to customize their drinks. Added bonus-no bartender needed!

-Have plenty of champange flutes on hand. 

-Put the juices in carafes with labels and suggested recipes.

-Have 2 or 3 juice choices on hand.

Suggested Recipes:

Mimosa-A classic for brunch!

Ingredients:

2 oz. Orange juice

Champagne
Mix to taste.

Passion Mimosa-An updated take on the classic with passionfruit juice instead of orange!
1oz. Passionfruit Juice

4oz Champagne

2 fresh strawberries
Mix. 
Cranberry Champagne Cocktail
2 oz. Cranberry Juice
3 oz. Champagne
Mix.

American Glory Cocktail-a great choice for spring and summer days!2 oz Orange Juice
2 oz Lemonade
3 oz Champagne

Mix.


Mango Bellini

1 part Mango Juice
2 parts Champagne
Mix. 







 

Bachelorette Party Guide: Volunteering!

If the bride-to-be is more of a do-gooder than tequila shooter, why not make the bachelorette party a 
 a reflection of her by volunteering?  Instead of spending the night going from bar to bar, spend the day volunteering.  Just think of what good a group of 6 to 10 ladies can do!

One idea is Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity's Women Build brings together women from all walks of life to address the housing crisis facing millions of women and children worldwide. Women Build events have helped to construct more than 1,900 houses.  Since the builds are just for women, no construction skills are needed-they'll provide training for you. 

Other ideas include serving at local food banks, soup kitchens, and homeless shelters that are always looking for groups to help cook meals and serve meals. 

If you have longer than a day, consider taking a volunteer vacation.  Sierra Club offers outings which vary from helping to repair the Grand Canyon to backpacking through the Adironacks.  I to I Volunteering offers international trips

Tips:

• Be sure to plan ahead as many volunteer opportunities fill up fast.

• You can still outfit the bride with sashes and bridal veils to make the bride feel like a bachelorette.

Bachelorette Party Guide: Walt Disney World

If your bride-to-be is Disney obsessed, why not throw her bachelorette party at Walt Disney World? Have it the same weekend as her destination wedding there.  Get her her very own pair of Disney ears and a Disney bride shirt and head out to WDW.

Traditional Bachelorette Activities

Hit the bars.  After hitting the parks, head out to some nighttime attractions in Disney World.  Start off at Disney's Boardwalk Area.  Head to Jellyrolls in Disney's BoardWalk Area at Walt Disney World Resort which is a lively piano bar with dueling pianos and audience sing-alongs.  Want more traditional clubbing? Atlantic Dance Hall at Disney's BoardWalk Area at Walt Disney World Resort is a nightclub showcasing cool bands and hot DJs.  This nightclub plays the hottest songs from the '80s, '90s and today.  Or go to the House of Blues for a club where live music continually plays. 

Take in a show.  La Nouba is another extraordinary avant-garde circus spectacle performed by Cirque du Soleil exclusively in the Downtown Disney West Side area at Walt Disney World Resort.  Or try the Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show which is an all-you-care-to-eat, family-style luau featuring hula dancing and a fire-knife performer at Disney's Polynesian Resort-get the chocolate volcanoes!

Do a spa day.  Disney has several spas that you can visit.

Make it Disney

Drink around the world.  Head to Epcot for a Disney bar crawl-get a drink in each country.  If that's too much drinking, try centering around the same drink.  Maybe attempt to try the best margaritas in Disney World. 

Take in a VIP tour. Even if the bride lives at Disney, chances are that she hasn't been on these tours.  You can take a behind the scenes tour of the parks, find out how they make the gardens at Epcot, or see the animals at Animal Kingdom.

Build the bachelorette party around Disney's festivals and events.  Make the bachelorette party around those dates to have even more to do.  Choose from Epcot International Wine & Food Festival, Atlanta Braves Spring Training, or a half-marathon. 

Want more Disney travel tips?  Beers and Ears has a complete list of every beer sold in WDW-this might be useful if the bride has a favorite one.  Find dining advice at The Disney Food Blog where you can search all of WDW's restaurants to find the best one for your group.