|
Witness To A Bridal Shower |
As I kissed my bride-to-be goodbye, I wished I could go with her to her first bridal shower and enjoy the festivities by her side. "Not this time," she told me. "Our couples wedding shower is in two weeks. Today I'm on my own." Oh, to be a fly on the wall…
My bride was sitting amongst her closest friends, sipping champagne, talking and laughing. Her best friend (and maid of honor) had been planning a bridal shower long before the engagement. I guess it's a girl thing. When the bridal shower invitation arrived in the mail, Tyla was overjoyed. The invitation was for a Honeymoon Trousseau Shower. I didn't know what trousseau meant until I read further. Included was Tyla's size along with a suggested list of bridal shower gifts: lace-top stockings, negligee set, teddies, scented body splash, candles, etc. Attached to the invitation was a scented potpourri bag. I think this bridal shower theme is perfect. The honeymoon can't get here soon enough.
The bridal shower decorations were simple and sexy. Candles filled the room. Large bouquets of red roses were in vases with lace tied around the neck. The gifts were displayed in an open hope chest (a gift from the mother-of-the-bride) and centerpieces on the tables were small gold treasure chests filled with wine-colored hydrangea. At each place setting, guests were treated to a white chocolate rose lollypop with lace tied around the stick. Instead of place cards, red bikini underwear with each guests name written in gold was sealed in a clear cellophane bag and tied with lace.
It was time for the first bridal shower game. The hostess announced the game was a word scramble competition. Each guest was handed a list of words to unscramble. Each word had to do with the honeymoon. Whoever could unscramble the most words in three minutes would win. When the timer started, everyone got quiet and the race was on. When the timer sounded, everyone stopped writing and a winner (with 17 out of 20 words correct) was awarded a pair of slinky, feathered bedroom slippers.
Lunch was next on the agenda. There were two large round tables decorated with red satin tablecloths, white plates with gold trim, gold flatware and white napkins fanning out from each wine glass. Guests were poured more champagne along with sparkling water. The hostess and some assistants, served lunch. Salmon (Tyla's favorite), wild rice and grilled asparagus were on the menu. Baskets of bread were placed on each table and everyone dug in. It was fun to "see" Tyla enjoying herself so much.
When everyone had finished eating it was time for another bridal shower game. This game was called Pin The Teddy on Tyla. For this variation of "pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey," a large size photo of Tyla was taped to a wall. Rather than "pin on" a tail, a teddy would be used. Not a real one of course, but a drawing of one. Enough copies of the teddy were cut out so that each player would have one. It was decided that the person who got the teddy closest to Tyla's heart would be the winner. Guests were blindfolded, spun twice and sent on their way. It was hilarious to watch as very few even made it to Tyla at all. Finally a winner was crowned and another pair of bedroom slippers awarded.
Dessert was served as everyone got comfortable on the couches. Rather than have one large cake, several pastries filled a tray that was passed around for guests to select their own favorite. I had my eye on a small round chocolate soufflé with powdered sugar.
Now we're finally to the good part - opening gifts. Tyla was seated in the middle of the room on a comfortable chair, given her own pair of bedroom slippers to wear and told to speak clearly. A popular bridal shower tradition is to write down the first thing the bride says as she opens each gift, such as, "Oh my gosh," or "What have you done?" When the gifts are all open, the hostess can read the words back to her, but says that it's what she will say on her wedding night.
Another classic bridal shower idea is the bow bouquet. Assign a bouquet-maker before gift opening starts and give her a paper plate, scissors and tape. As the bride opens each gift, all bows and ribbons are handed to the bouquet-maker to make a "bouquet" for the bride to use during her wedding rehearsal. A hole should be made in the center of the plate to push long ribbons through and bows should be taped on top.
As Tyla opened gifts each one got more oohs and ahhs than the last. I must admit, I may not want to leave our room with the great array of lingerie she was given. Following bridal shower etiquette, Tyla thanked everyone for coming and had a special gift for her best friend and hostess. I looked forward to hearing all about her day, and reminded myself to act surprised.
|
|
|
Wedding Photography, Moonbounces, DJs, Kids Party, Videography, Limousine Service, Catering, Casino Party, Party Rentals, Mime, Wedding Planners, Wedding Bands, Face & Body Painting, Magic Show, Party Coordinator, Makeup Artist, Wedding Officiant, Male Exotic Dancers, Caricature Artist, Exotic Female Dancer, Linens, Audio Visual, Belly Dancers, Bar Rentals, Animals, Tent Rental, Portrait Photographers, Balloons, Corporate Event Producers, Catering & Banquet Halls, Party Characters, Tattoos, Gourmet Coffee Bar, Wedding Flowers, Impressionists & Impersonators, Entertainers, Party Favors, Bachelorette Party, Psychics, Interactive Games, Party Invitations, Wedding Dress, Corporate Photography, Piano, Airbrush, Jazz Musician, Equipment Rental, Horse Drawn Carriages, Planning Carnivals, Decoration
|
|
Regions: Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, Phoenix, Bay Area, California, Inland Empire, Los Angeles, Orange County, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Southern California, Colorado, Denver, Connecticut, Hartford, New Haven, Washington DC, Delaware, Channel Islands, East England, East Midlands, Greater London, North East, North West, South East, South West, West Midlands, Yorkshire & Humberside, Florida, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Pensacola, Tampa, Atlanta, Georgia, Savannah, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Chicago, Illinois, Indiana, Indianapolis, Northern Ireland, Kansas, Kansas City, Kentucky, Boston, New England, Worcester, Baltimore, Bethesda, Maryland, Maine, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Minneapolis, Minnesota, St. Paul, Missouri, St. Louis, Montana, Raleigh, Manchester, Atlantic City, New Jersey, Newark, New Mexico, Las Vegas, Nevada, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, New York City, Rochester, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Ohio, Oklahoma, Canada, Ontario, Oregon, Portland, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Providence, Rhode Island, Scotland, Nashville, Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Texas, Utah, Arlington, Richmond, Virginia, Vermont, Seattle, Washington, Milwaukee, Wales, more...
|
|
