Ladies of the new decade aren’t looking for a garden brunch to celebrate their upcoming nuptials. Instead, they want to kick back and have fun at their bridal showers. While opening gifts is the main attraction at the bridal shower, there’s no reason it has to be held in a stuffy room with the same old boring games and menu.
If you are planning a shower for the less traditional bride, you need to start thinking like her. Avoid the usual and create an event she won’t soon forget. Here we provide some alternative bridal shower party ideas for the bride who prefers the unexpected.
Bridal Party Makeovers
Weddings offer the chance to become the most glam version of yourself. Let the guests share in the fun and plan a makeover party where everyone creates a new persona for the big day. This also works to make things easier for the wedding party, as they’ll feel confident doing their own makeup on the wedding day.
Gardening or Floral Arrangements
Flowers play a major role at any wedding. This is a great opportunity to build on that theme and provide a class for gardening or floral arrangements. Everyone can take on their own project under the guidance of a pro. Not only does everyone get a crash course in flowers, but they can also create a little keepsake from the party to take home.
Pool Party
Release your inner child and celebrate your shower poolside. If someone has a perfect backyard and pool and are willing to host, everyone can enjoy soaking up the sun, sipping on fun cocktails and spending some downtime together before opening the gifts in the shade. Just avoid letting the bride get a sunburn, or she’ll never forgive you.
Calligraphy Class
Provide the bride with an elegant way to send out her thank-you cards with a calligraphy lesson. Everyone can learn how to put pen to paper with a fanciful flair that might someday come in handy.
Wine Tasting
This isn’t a new idea, but it’s always a good one. Who doesn’t enjoy wine? A wine tasting is a great way to learn a little about pairings, ideal for the bride-to-be to learn some important skills when planning her newlywed dinner parties.
Paint a Picture
Art parties are becoming all the rage and can be held at someone’s home or a local paint bar or shop. Everyone enjoys cocktails or wine while learning some painting tips. A painting is created by each guest, offering an almost therapeutic relief from the stresses of wedding planning.
Cooking Class
While most brides today have probably already set up home with their grooms to be, who couldn’t use a few new recipes to keep things interesting? A cooking class is an excellent way for everyone to spend time together, and it comes with a free meal! From cakes to mains, you can choose the right class to suit your bride’s desires.
Patio Lanterns
Summer weddings call for summer settings. Have a patio party at someone’s home complete with festive patio lanterns, fairy lights, soft music, cocktails, and appetizers.
Go Glamping
Getting out to enjoy the beauty of Ontario is easier with the introduction of “glamping.” This little overnight option allows you to enjoy the fun of camping without any of the boring work. Ladies sleep in comfy beds in yurts and have real bathrooms.
You still have the stunning views of the Ontario landscape but without the discomforts of traditional camping. Gather around the fire to open gifts and end the night with s’mores.
Relaxing Yoga
We all know planning a wedding is stressful. Treat the bride and her party guests to a relaxing yoga class to learn some agile moves and become more centred before the big day. Everyone bonds while learning new poses and then sits in a calm atmosphere for tea and presents.
A Bake-Off
If the bride is a sucker for sweets, hold a bake-off. Each guest brings their best recipes to the table, and the bride gets to choose the winner. You can include the tasting, prizes, and then, of course, opening presents.
The bride gets tons of treats, and guests get to show off their mad baking skills. As part of the fun, you can also have a cake decorating contest using mini cakes or cupcakes.
Visit Farm Country
If the bride has planned a rustic wedding, why not have a fun farm country trip? This is especially fun for fall weddings when farm stores are packed with fresh local produce. Many farms have in-house activities or might even be willing to rent out their space for your event. The food theme can include local favourites from wine to cheese.
Tea Party
While we did say we’re trying to avoid clichés, some brides just love all that frilly stuff. An afternoon tea complete with tiny pretty sandwiches and cakes on tiered serving trays and fine china is a lovely way to celebrate the very feminine old-school bride.
Champers and Silver Screen
If she’s a fan of the silver screen, have a party celebrating the glamour of Hollywood complete with champagne and a viewing of her favourite films. You can have everyone dress up as their favourite film star, or choose a theme like Film Noir or Screwball Comedy. Everyone can get into the spirit of the day in a way that she’ll really appreciate.
Sports Event
Sports are usually reserved for the avid groom, but if the bride is a big fan of a local sports team, see if you can rent a box for the day. Even if it’s off-season, you might find some arenas still rent out their venues.
Window Shopping
If your bride-to-be is a shopaholic, plan a window-shopping spree at her favourite shop, mall, or shopping areas like Queen West or Yorkville. End the day at a local restaurant or bar for cocktails and gifts.
Although the fun always seems to be reserved for the bachelorette party, your bridal shower ideas require a fun plan as well. Find a venue willing to help plan your day, and you’ll have the perfect shower for the less traditional bride.
For more alternative bridal shower ideas, call Chateau le Jardin at 905-851-2200 or contact us here.