THEMED WEDDING SHOWERS ARE BECOMING VERY POPULAR

PLANNING A BRIDAL SHOWER...here are some "unique" ideas!

Do you have a friend that is getting married? Why not plan a "unique themed" shower for the couple, or for the bride alone! We are coming across some very interesting ideas and want to share them with you!


AROUND THE WORLD is the theme.
 
 

Historic locations - worldwide

Gather some ideas from the couple of their favorite countries (you can also do this for favorite states). Research favorite drinks , food, or hors d'oeurves of those areas. Plan a menu card highlighting them and if there are special meanings or customs associated with them.

Gift ideas for this type of shower could be:

Travel books of specific areas incorporated in the food and drinks at the shower.

Cook books featuring that area.

Travel accessories if the couple will be traveling on their honeymoon.

Ethnic food items

Photo Albums

Travel Maps


NATURE'S WONDER for those outdoor loving couples.


Hold the shower outdoors at a picnic site, camp site or on the beach.

Food and drinks should reflect the outdoor lifestyle - BBQ, grilled hot dogs and hamburgers, picnic lunches, s'mores, and so forth! Capture the mood!





Gifts ideas for this type of shower and couple would be:

Picnic baskets

Folding chairs

Camping equipment

Gift certificates for parks, comfortable outdoor clothing, and more!!!!

Outdoor cooking equipment

A "special" cookbook of favorite outdoor recipes of the guests at the shower

Back packs

And so much more!!!!! Ideas are endless!


GARDENING THEME


Many couples today enjoy the trend towards growing your own veggies, flowers, etc. And many are going organic.

What better way to help them in this area. Host a gardening shower. If they have already purchased their own home, then the ideas of gifts is unlimited.

If they are waiting until after they are married to buy a home together, then gifts in this area can prepare them for outdoor work.

Gift ideas:

Gift cards to garden centers so they can select their favorite plants

Gardening tools - usually small hand tools such as rakes, shovels, etc

Watering cans

Hoses and assorted nozzles

Sun hats

Gloves

Assorted books for ideas and plant references


HOME HOSPITALITY - this is the perfect shower for those couples who do lots of entertaining in their homes.


Host the party on the patio, or if the couple has a home and doesn't mind the shower there, it would be perfect.

Gift ideas - they are numerous!

Cheese and wine!

Bottles of wine from local wineries

Assortments of cheeses

Gift cards for wine and cheeses so they can be used at a later date

Assortment of beers

Serving glasses

Cheese boards and knives

Unique serving dishes for party foods

Recipe books for both party food and drinks


The list of ideas for showers is endless! Making them "unique" for the couple or bride is great!


If you want more ideas, I suggest you talk to the couples wedding planner, or one that you know in the area, they have fantastic ideas!

Happy planning!!!!

~Marilyn

INVITATION ETIQUETTE

Did you know that there IS actually something called "Invitation Etiquette"? It guides us to the correct way and procedure to follow when selecting, addressing and sending the invites for that special day!


The creation of your invitation sets the tone for the event, and announces to your guests what type of celebration that they are invited to attend. Setting the tone includes the style of the invitation, the choice of paper, the color and the fonts. All that wrapped up into a work of art! WOW!!!! that seems like alot.

Just a sample of Unique invitations

I am finding today that a lot of brides are venturing out from the standard white invitation in a plain white envelope. They are adding their own touch, making it personal. Some are continuing the theme of their wedding throughout all the paper items being used - invitations, save the date cards, RSVP cards, menus and programs.

Last season I had a bride use a fall theme that featured trees and leaves. The invitations, in fact all the paperwork had fall leaves and fall colors on them. We carried that over to the reception by using the names of trees as table identification, colorful fall leaves scattered on the tables, and tree branches adorned with hanging glass teardrops holding tea candles.

Fall themed wedding/programs

 

As a planner I have been asked many times about the proper wording, font, and when you should mail the invitations. But one question that asked on almost a regular basis is "Is it ok to ask for money on a wedding invitation?" My answer would be a loud NO.

It is not socially acceptable or a tactful way to ask for cash this way! The question usually comes from clients in their 20's or 30's who have been living together and have all the items they need for their home. They also tend not to register for traditional gifts.

My recommendation to them is always - that this type of request is best passed on verbally by family and friends when they are asked what to get the couple. The couple if asked can make a suggestion by saying something like "We are saving for a down payment for our first home, so if you would like to give us a check, that is how we would use it." You should never dictate to guests what to give you.

A recent suggestion that I have given to my couples is to have a website for their wedding event, and on their they can list their gift registries......to include maybe a Honeymoon Gift registry.....such as: www.travelersjoy.com . Your guests can purchase gifts for your honeymoon!

www.travelersjoy.com
 
Some brides have also set up an account for charitable donations to be made in their name.


I have even had brides ask on their websites for canned goods to be brought to their reception as a donation to a food bank. instead of bringing gifts.

Your invitation is just that, and invitation to people who you want present to help celebrate your beautiful day!

Make it unique and yours!!!!

~ Marilyn

WEDDING TRADITIONS AND FOLKLORE - Part 4

Wedding Traditions – how have they changed ?
HONEYMOON

Marriage was historically brought by a capture of the bride by the groom. The groom would take his bride to a place where she could not be found. They would stay at this location for approximately 30 days, as the moon went through its phases. While they were there they would drink a brew made of honey. This is how the term “honeymoon” began.

Couples today usually just get away to some place they feel is romantic for a shorter periods to celebrate the beginning of their lives together.

BRIDE’S GOWN

Traditionally the bridal gowns are white because of ancient Greeks and Romans believing that white was a symbol of purity, innocence, and joy. Today the white or ivory dress is a symbol of the celebration. Lace, was considered an art in Europe, and used as a popular ornamentation to the gowns. Used a lot today!

Note: There are of course other traditions, and research is still being done on them. The ones above are the most common.


TRADITIONS OF OTHER CULTURES FOR WEDDINGS

Sugar Cube – Greek brides tuck a cube of sugar in their glove to sweeten the union.

Rain on Your Wedding Day – Hindu beliefs include that rain on your wedding day is good luck.

Planting of Tree – in the Netherlands a tree is planted outside the newlywed’s home as a symbol of fertility.

Gift Collection – Finish brides traditionally carried a pillow case door to door collecting gifts.

Red and Yellow Outfits – Korean brides were outfits in these colors to their wedding.

Hand Tying – this is done in many cultures, including Celtic, Native American, Hindu and Egyptian. The couple’s hands are tied together during the ceremony as a symbol of their bond and commitment.

Jumping of the Broom – An African-American tradition brought about because marriages were not allowed during slavery, so they would show their love at a celebration by jumping the broom. It is used by many today as part of their ceremony, even other cultures.

Sake – Japanese tradition is that the couple becomes man and wife after they have taken the first nine sips of sake.

Locking of the Doors – In Ireland, the doors to the church were locked after everyone had entered to insure that the groom would not back out.



While these are only a few of the traditions and customs, these are the most readily used in wedding ceremonies. My research will go on and I will update this blog topic again.

Thanks for taking the time to read this, and I hope that you are able to incorporate some of these into your wedding!!