HOW TO SELECT A WEDDING SHOWER VENUE

Planning a wedding can be one of the most enjoying times of a woman’s life – or one of the most stressful. Fortunately, when it comes to planning the wedding shower, the bride can sit back and let the maid or matron of honor take charge!

Before determining the wedding shower venue, the hostess needs to know approximately how many guests, the date and budget. Once you have this info, you can start planning!

When considering location possibilities, be sure to factor in the wedding shower theme. A theme is not a necessity but, if you have one, it will help you decide where to host your party.

 

Home or restaurant

The most popular choice for a wedding shower is in a private home or restaurant centrally located to guests.

Garden or tea room

If you are interested in having a formal wedding shower, consider hosting a tea. It can be indoors at a home, in a garden or even at a local team room.

Spa

A lingerie shower can be done most anywhere. For an added twist, consider hosting your shower at a spa. Beauty treatments can be part of the celebration.

Winery

If there are vineyards in your area, consider a shower at a winery. If the bride intends to move into a home with a wine closet or cellar, the location ties in perfectly.

Yacht

If you live near a body of water, consider hosting the shower on a rented yacht (unless you are lucky enough to own one!). This is an especially suitable idea if the bride is planning a beach wedding.

As soon as you determine your location – if it’s not at your house – call to make your reservation. Determine the date with the bride. Unless there are circumstances that dictate otherwise, the wedding shower is generally 4-6 weeks before the wedding.

POSH AND PAMPERED BRIDAL SHOWER

For a posh spin on a traditional shower, order our Posh and Pampered wedding shower box. It includes high quality, vintage-style pink and black lingerie invitations, manicure sets for each guest, and authentic champagne flutes. We even have a bridal survival kit in a white satin hat box and a pale blue lace handkerchief for her something blue ($140; additional guests are $16 each).

A portion of the proceeds from this item will go to Breast Cancer Research.

We are happy to create custom box sizes - large or small!

Your Bridal Shower Gift Box Includes:

• 8 Lingerie-in-a-box invitations
• 8 Pink, black, and white purse place card holders
• 8 Pink and black polka-dot purse manicure sets
• 8 Authentic champagne flutes
• 8 Pink thank you notes
• 8 Pink and cream luncheon plates
• 8 Pink and cream cocktail plates
• 20 Pink luncheon napkins
• 20 Pink cocktail napkins
• 1 Pink 4.6' x 7' table cloth
• 8 Sets of like-silver tableware
• 2 Pink hibiscus candles
• Pink rose petals for the table
• Bridal games
• Pink balloons

Optional Items

• Bridal survival hat box filled with a sewing kit, clear nail polish, candle, bath confetti, tissue, and a mirror in a satin case

BRIDAL SHOWER BOX OF QUESTIONS!

Here comes the best new bridal shower game! Make the bride-to-be spill the beans before her big day! If she doesn’t, the guests will. Add WOW! to your shower with super fun conversation starters.

Questions like:

• What are the best and worst kept secrets about married life?
• Who will be the worst influence on the groom at the bachelor party?
• What three things make the groom the luckiest man in the world?

A gorgeous and sturdy gift box with a snug top and 52 glossy cards. Playful and original illustrations with clever, engaging and entertaining questions. This bridal shower game promises to be the cake topper of your shower. The guests will deliver insight, laughs, and great tips on how to stay married even before you take your vows. A perfect bridal shower gift or party favor for that exceptional bridal shower!

WHO TO INVITE TO THE WEDDING SHOWER

One of the top questions when it comes to the wedding shower is who to invite. There are work showers, book club or bunco showers and then there is the traditional bridal shower.

Traditional showers include the wedding party, the mothers of the bride and groom, sisters of the bride and groom, and the bride's closest friends and/or coworkers. Any person who is on the wedding guest list can technically be invited to a shower, although in the past it has been kept as an intimate event, including only the bride's closest friends and relatives.

BRIDAL GAMES

Name that Love Song

Guests are given a list of incomplete traditional love songs and must complete the titles within 3 minutes. The guest who completes them correctly first is the winner or if no one has finished within the time period, the guest with the most completed titles wins!

I only have 
eyes for you
When I
fall in love

Someone to
watch over me

Don’t get around
much anymore

You make me feel
so young

I’ve got the world
on a string

They can’t take
that away from me

Something about
the way you look tonight

Don’t get around
much anymore

Oh, pretty woman
woman

 

Bridal Word Scramble

Guests are given words to unscramble in a certain amount of time.  The one who unscrambles the most wins!

morgo
groom
grin
ring
grealcmny
clergyman
reshus
ushers
trarge
garter
smiedsibrad
bridesmaids
stigf
gifts
worfsel 

flowers
kace
cake

tenbasm
bestman
edrbi
bride
crie 

rice

TIPS FOR DE-STRESSING WHEN PLANNING A WEDDING

If you haven’t heard it before, you will now: wedding planning is stressful! However, if you are aware of the possibility, you will be more prepared for it.

There are many ways to deal with wedding planning stress – some of which include avoiding it as much as possible. Below are some ideas to consider.

Organization

Organization is key to avoiding stress! Start by putting together a wedding check list. If you are handy on the computer, enter everything into a spreadsheet, assign responsibilities, enter notes, contact names and numbers, vendor web sites – everything you need in one spot. Update your list frequently!

In addition to the wedding checklist, start a calendar. It can be a hard copy calendar or on your computer. The most important thing is that you are thorough. Take everything on your wedding checklist and start assigning dates. When do you need to book your ceremony and reception sites? How far out do the flowers need to be ordered? Check and update your calendar frequently.

Communication

Whether this is the first big undertaking with your fiancé or not, I cannot emphasize how important it is to have good communication. If you don’t, it will lead to problems and drama. Meet together or with a wedding planner and determine up front who is responsible for what, and what you’d like to handle together. If you want a say in something your fiancé is handling, be sure to tell him right away. For instance, perhaps he is picking the DJ or band – be clear about whether or not this includes the songs that will be played as well.

Budget

Determining and sticking to your budget should go without saying. One of life’s biggest stressors is money. Don’t start your marriage carrying the weight of too much debt.

Accept offers for help

Many of us keep thing close in order to maintain control. However, you will need help. Determine what you are comfortable passing off, should someone offer their assistance. Remember, there may be some things you could delegate with specific instructions or input.

Sleep, relax, pray

Getting plenty of sleep is important for stress management. Everything is easier when you are well rested. When you do feel stressed, try deep breathing and stretching. Praying can also be a wonderful way to find peace and find strength.

Exercise and diet

Just as with sleep, exercise and diet are vital to maintaining your composure over the coming months. When you feel stressed, there’s a tendency to let exercise go or to indulge in more wine or chocolate than usual. Don’t get into bad habits – it will not help with your stress level AND it will expand your waist line!

Don’t sweat the small stuff

While planning a wedding may sound complicated and time-consuming, it’s important to keep one thing in mind: don’t sweat the small stuff. You will regret taking things too seriously, or creating drama over things that don’t matter in the long run.

Have fun!

One of life’s most important pastimes – having fun! Don’t forget to take time out with your fiancé, friends and family to play games, go out to dinner or see a movie. Social time will ease your stress level and strengthen your relationships. ENJOY!

BRIDAL SURVIVAL KIT

Each kit contains:

• clear nail polish
• tissues
• candle
• bath confetti
• compact in satin case
• MOR cosmetics coconut soap in a black mesh bag
• sewing kit
• light blue lace handkerchief for her something blue

Give your bride something she can use on her wedding day, as well as afterwards to store valuable keepsakes!

TIPS FOR POST WEDDING BLUES

With all the preparation that goes into planning a wedding, when the emotional high of the wedding is over, many spouses tend to feel blue. In fact, according to ABC News, 1 in 10 spouses feel post-wedding depression. Awareness is the first step toward addressing this not-often-talked-about issue.

Talk to friends and family

Communication is a recurring theme in wedding planning – and post-wedding blues. If you are feeling down, talk to your friends and family about your feelings. Opening up to those you trust may be all that you need.

Go out or plan a get-together

Socialize! Similar to seeking support from friends and family, being socially active can either be an outlet for your emotions or a distraction.

Take on a project

With no more wedding planning (whew!), you should have some extra time on your hands. Instead of moping, spend your time on a challenging new project. Ideas include volunteering, planning the next annual family reunion or a home improvement project.

See a counselor

When post-wedding blues lasts more than two weeks, you may need to see a counselor. Don’t hesitate to get the help you need – it’s time to get on to the new phase of your life and enjoy every minute of it!

RECIPE: Chicken Artichoke Ring in Phyllo

• ½ cup plus 2 tbsp. unsalted butter
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 Whole chicken breasts skinned and cooked
• 1 – 6 ounce jar marinated artichoke hearts, chopped
• 12 oz. Fontina cheese, grated
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 4 green onions chopped
• 1 ½ tsp. Dried thyme, 1Tbls. chopped parsley
• 4 eggs, ½ cup heavy cream ¾ teas grated nutmeg
• ½ tsp. salt, ¼ tsp. pepper ½ pound Phyllo dough

Melt 2 tbsp. butter and sauté onions until soft. Cool. Chop cooked chicken into 1 inch cubes.In a large bowl mix chicken, artichoke hearts, cheeses, green onions, thyme, parsley and onions. In another bowl, beat eggs and cream together. Add nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Pour egg mixture into the chicken mixture and toss to combine.  Set aside.

Preheat oven to 350. Melt ½ cup butter, and brush bottom and side of a 10” bundt or tube pan. Cut the Phyllo sheets in half. Line the pan by pressing the filo sheets inside the pan so they drape over the edges. Each new sheet should overlap the previous one. Brush melted butter on the sheets. Circle the pan 2 or 3 times with layers of Phyllo. Pour chicken mixture into Phyllo-lined pan and bring overlapping sides up over the mixture to cover. Brush Phyllo with remaining butter. This dish may be made several hours ahead and refrigerated until ready to bake. Bake for 1 hour until the Phyllo is crisp and golden. Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, invert and slice into wedges. Can be served warm, room temperature or cold. Serves 8-10

RECIPE: Passion Fruit Mimosa

Serves 6

• 1 1/2 Teaspoons grenadine
• 1 1/2 cups chilled passion fruit juice
• 1 bottle of chilled champagne

Spoon ¼ teaspoon grenadine into each of flutes

Top with ¼ cup passion fruit juice then fill with champagne

Garnish with orange slices

RECIPE: Baby Greens with Pears

Serves 8

• Walnut Oil Vinaigrette ¼ cup slivered walnuts
• 1/3 cup walnut oil or olive oil 8 – 10 cups mixed baby greens, torn
• 3 T balsamic vinegar ¼ cup crumbled gorgonzola
• 1 teaspoon crushed dried basil 2 pears sliced
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt

For the vinaigrette, combine the walnut oil, vinegar, basil, cinnamon and salt in a small bowl and mix well. Chill until serving time.  For the salad, spread the walnuts on a baking sheet. Toast at 200 degrees for 10 minutes.  Combine the greens in a salad bowl. Sprinkle with the cheese and walnuts. Add the pears and vinaigrette: toss lightly to coat well.

RECIPE: Cappuccino Sundaes

Serves ten

• Serve these sundaes in edible chocolate bowls for a special presentation!
• ½ cup strong brewed coffee
• 8 ½ ounces semisweet chocolate chopped
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 3 pints coffee ice cream
• ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
• ¾ cup chopped heath bar candy
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon

Combine the coffee, cream, brown sugar and cinnamon in a small heavy saucepan. Cook over low heat until the suar dissolves and the mixture comes to a simmer, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat and add the chocolate. Stir until melted and smooth.

Spoon the ice cream into 10 dessert dishes. Spoon the sauce over the top and sprinkle with the candy. (Sauce can be made 1 day ahead. Store, covered in the refrigerator and re-warm over low heat before serving.)