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Bridal Shower Suggestions
I'm the only Bridesmaid available to throw a shower for a friend. (The other girl is out of state and has a small child who keeps her busy). I am going to throw it at my house. I don't really have a theme. I plan to decorate with some white Christmas Lights, Candles and Fresh Flowers. No streamers, etc. Party is to be on a Sunday... she has given me a guest list which is only 8 - 12 people.
3 - 5 Appetizers, Games.
5 - 5:30 Dinner
5 - 6:30 Open Gifts
6:30 - 7 Desert
Drinks: Wine, Water, Soda, Coffee, Tea
Appetizers: Buffalo Chicken Dip (Cheesy)
Shrimp and Coctail Sauce
Fruit Dip w/ Apples & Graham Crackers
Dinner : Salad (w/ Cranberries & Walnuts)
Toasted Bread w/ Bruschetta
Spinach & Sausage Stuffed Shells (White Sauce)
Desert : Mini Cakes (an assortment - store bought)
Bonbons (homemade, oreo centers / chocolate or PB shell)
Does the menu sound ok?? Do I have enough appetizers, given that I'm serving a meal? Would Quiche be a better alternative for a main dish? I have several good recipes ... i could make three different kinds. Any food suggestions? Does the timing seem adequate?
Any suggestions for party favors, given that there isn't really a theme? Would it be tacky to buy the bride a tiera or a veil or something to wear?
Re: Bridal Shower Suggestions
A shower theme doesn't have to be something obvious. It can be a simple as a color theme or food theme.
I think your menu looks great! As for the timing, 2 hours of games and apps sounds a little long. . . maybe you could do a game after dinner?
For party favors, why don't you do little bud vases with a couple flowers in them. They can act as decor and favors. Or a macaroon in a little box?
I don't think a little tiara would be tacky, but I would run it by the bride to make sure she wants to wear it.
Have fun!
Do you have any vegetarians coming? Anyone lactose intolerant? Those are both (frequent) concerns whenever I throw parties, so I try and make sure there is at least some sort of option for them as well. Maybe some shells without sausage? Or a plain pasta on the side?
If neither of those issues are a concern, then I think the menu sounds delicious
I agree 2 hours seems a bit long for apps & games. Maybe start the party at 4:00 p.m. instead? Or bump everything up and end at 6:00 instead of 7:00?
I think giving the bride something to wear would be appropriate, so long as she's up for it. If she doesn't want a tiara or a veil, you could always do something more simple like a pin-on floral corsage (I had this for one of my showers, I thought it was lovely).
I find edible favors are always a hit -- maybe Hershey kisses in little organza bags or homemade cut out cookies?
2 hrs of games is too long and a 4 hr shower is also quite long. I'd start the shower at 4 and drop some games.
As for the menu, I'd add some other fruits to the platter and probably switch out the buffalo dip for something nicer or maybe an antipasta platter. If you have vegetarians or don't know I'd do some shells without the sausage.
For favors go edible. You could even do the bonbons for favors and drop them from the menu.
You know the bride the best. Some love the veil/tiara/sash, but I personally wasn't one of those people. I do think they are fun for other people to wear if they are into it.
I was already thinking of making some of the shells vegetarian, so I'll go ahead and do that. And you are right, I thought two hours to start was a little long, but I didn't want to serve dinner too early. Maybe I will move back the start time a bit. And things can certainly end earlier... thats up to the guests. All that really matters is what time they arrive and what time the food is ready... everything else can be played by ear.
Maybe I'll just do some kind of cheese and cracker spread instead of the Chicken Dip.
Thank you all for your input!
Besides cutting down on the length of the shower, I would alter your menu. You don't have to have a theme, per se, but there does need to be some kind of unity, which your menu doesn't currently have. Is the party going to be in the fall? Incorporate fall flavors (pumpkin, sage, sausage, apple, butternut squash, etc). I'd really start there and will be happy to help you plan a menu, if you want.
Otherwise, here are my other menu comments. Right now, you've got 2 dips. I think it would be better to do one dip and two hors d'oeuvres, one of which is vegetarian.
If you're doing an Italian entree, I would pick a salad with matching flavors, so something like a Caprese (if this party is soon when tomatoes will still be good), or a Greek salad.
When you say "white sauce," are you referring to an alfredo or some other variant of a cream-based sauce?
I think that your drinks are good and offer a balanced variety. You could probably eliminate the soda, to save a little.
That sounds like a very nice shower. At one of my showers they had Chicago Cubs chocolate bars (because we love the cubs... not right now, you know what I mean), but mylabels.com and I think snapfish has labels you could make if you have a picture or just want to put the date of the wedding or shower on the bars or anything else really. My other one had these bath and body works lotions (minis) that were cute. Good Luck!
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