Bridal Shower Etiquette: Are kids invited to bridal showers?

Q: .  Are kids invited to bridal showers?

A:   No. Bridal showers are adult-only affairs so children should not be invited (and are not assumed to be.)  If in doubt, always ask the hostess.  If you're the hostess and you think a guest might bring a kid, bring it up casually -"so whose baby-sitting Kim for the afternoon?" They should get the hint

Bridal Shower Theme: Starbucks/Coffee Inspired

Image sources: Hostess with the Mostess, Christy Robbins, Chica and Jo, Kimz Kitchen, Zazzle, Etsy, Your Home Based Mom

Dealing with a bride who doesn't start the day without an iced white chocolate mocha? Know a bride who would probably make her wedding budget if she cut out her daily lattes? Why not throw a Starbucks/coffee inspired bridal shower for her?
 
Another nice thing about the coffee themed shower is that it's very work-appropriate.  This is a great shower for teacher's lounges or office showers.

Invites

Set the tone for the shower with an invite that shows everyone that the couple's coffee breaks are just too cute for words.  

Or let everyone know that the couple really are a perfect blend with this invite. 




Drinks
Since the theme is coffee, obviously you're going to have lots of coffee for this shower. The easy solution: create a coffee bar! One sample menu for drinks would be Decaf, Regular, Tea, Water, and Hot Water for Hot Chocolate or Hot Teas. 
Note: Non-coffee drinks are essential here because not everyone drinks (or likes) coffee. 

The toppings for the coffee bar of one sample coffee shower included vanilla, hazelnut, creamer, milk, flavored creamers, various sugars, chocolate dipped sugar cubes, sprinkles, chocolate syrup, caramel syrup, whipped cream, chocolate covered peppermint sticks, and lemons.

• Try putting vanilla sugar cubes, chocolate dipped sugar cubes, or heart shaped sugar cubes to add an unique touch to the coffee bar.
• Having a selection of flavored syrups like vanilla and hazelnut for the coffee bar takes the coffee to the next level.  Try this recipe to make flavored syrups for the coffee.

Homemade Frappie Recipe
courtesy of Recipezaar.com

Ingredients
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
1 tablespoon granulated sugar, plus
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/3 cup strong coffee
1 cup ice

Directions

1. In a blender, combine everything but the ice, and blend until sugar has dissolved.

2. Add ice and blend until smooth (sometimes you will need a bit more ice).

3. Don't forget to top off with some whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate syrup!

Food

Yum! When we think of coffeehouses, we think of desserts-and ton of them.  Serve plenty of cupcakes, cookies, biscotti, and cake for this shindig. 

Try different coffee-inspired cupcakes like:

• Chocolate coffee cupcakes with coffee buttercream
• Caramel Frappuccino Cupcake
• Vietnamese Coffee Cupcake
• Doughnuts and Coffee Cupcake (shown to the left)

Also try serving coffee bean cookies.

Favors
What else can you give out as favors? Coffee, of course! Try personalized coffee bags that say "Bride's Bridal Shower" on them or coffee scoop favors. 

We are not affiliated with Starbucks.  Affiliate links were used.

Sex and the City Bridal Shower Invitations

Sex and the City remains one of our favorite TV shows.  Of course, one of our most-viewed posts is on planning a Sex and the City shower but recently we've given a ton of comments asking for more invitations that perfectly set the tone for this type of fete.

This Martini themed bridal shower invite is ideal for a SATC shower.  Did Carrie go one episode without a Cosmo? Didn't think so.  

Go obvious with the NYC theme.  The ladies loved Manhattan and if your bride does too then celebrate it with this New York Skyline invite. 

Carrie wasn't the typical bride so skip a "typical" bridal shower (or invitation for that matter.) These chic modern cocktail party shower invites are just the trick-nothing too girly or frilly for Mrs. Big.  

Or celebrate the girls love of Manolos and Jimmy Choos with this stiletto bridal shower invite. 

Bridal Shower Guestbook: Flower Wreath of Wishes

 

What a unique fun thing for a guestbook!  The paper flowers pop out to let every guest write notes, well-wishes, thoughts, etc. in  a wreath that can then be hung up.  Get it at Uncommon Goods.

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.