Themes for a Bridal Shower

There are many bridal shower themes from which to choose. Be sure to plan your party well in advance and to ask other friends for contributing ideas. Also, be sure to inform guests about what type of function they will be attending so they may dress appropriately. Lastly, always have an alternate plan for an outdoor bridal shower in the case of a change of weather.

Some bridal shower theme ideas are as follows:

• Garden Gadgets Party - Host this gala in a lovely garden. Serve chips, vegetable dip, lemonade, and iced tea. Gifts are anything for the bride and groom's garden and/or yard, such as, a rake, hose, sprinkler, seeds, or a tree.


• Fiesta Party - Have a piñata and serve nachos, chilled flavored drinks, and sopapillas. Gift ideas include anything fitting for this theme.


• Fitness/Athlete's Theme - This would be fun idea at a park for both the bride and the groom. Serve barbecued hot dogs, pop, cotton candy, and popcorn. Gift ideas include gym membership passes, tennis rackets, ball game tickets, or other sports gifts for the athletic couple.


• Christmas Decoration Party - This is a great idea for a winter wedding.


• Play Christmas songs and serve hot cinnamon rolls, Christmas cookies, and hot chocolate. Gifts would include anything for the couple's first Christmas together, such as, Christmas decorations, a Christmas tree, and Nativity sets. For an activity at the shower, guests can even each make a crafty decoration for the couple's first tree.


• Lingerie Shower - Each guest brings a present of lingerie for the bride. A love story movie can be rented complete with popcorn.


• Linen Theme Party - The gifts for this theme include towels, sheets, pillowcases, blankets, curtains, and rugs. Be sure to find out the bride's color scheme first.


• ABC Shower - Each guest is sent a letter of the alphabet in her invitation. The gift they buy must start with their designated letter.


• Elegant Theme Party - This is a great idea for the cultured bride-to-be. A banquet room can be rented at a hotel or restaurant. Meat and cheese trays and wine or tea can be served, and favors include boxes of chocolate.


• Recipe Party - Each guest receives a 3 x 5 card with their invitation. They are asked to write or type their favorite recipe for the bride. At the shower, all of the cards are placed in a beautiful recipe book that has been autographed by each guest.


• Months of the Year - Each guest is assigned a month of the year in their invitation. They then are asked to bring a gift that corresponds with that month.


• Honeymoon Fun - Guests are asked to bring a present that can be used on the honeymoon. This can range from comical to serious.


• The Time on the Clock - Every guest is given a different time on the clock and must bring a present correlating with that time. For example, a 6:00 a.m. time suggestion would be a coffee maker.


• Heart Theme - Everything at this shower is in the shape of a heart for a "lovey dovey romantic feeling." This is especially fitting if the wedding and/or shower is in February. Refreshments are in the shape of hearts and guests are asked to bring a gift that symbolizes love. An idea for a present would be a heart-shaped pillow with the bride and groom's names embroidered on it with the date of their wedding.


• Southwestern Theme - This shower has a definite desert feel. Ideas for decorations include Navajo rugs, cacti, and terra cotta pots. Food served would be any recipe from the Southwest.


• Patriotic Theme - This is appropriate for the summer. Decorations are all red, white, and blue, including planted flowers of those colors. Check local codes for a fireworks display and have a flag raising.


• Gift Certificate Theme - All gifts for this party are gift certificates. This allows the bride (and groom) to pick out what they need to furnish their home. Other certificate ideas include entertainment and dinners at a nice restaurant.


• Stock the Kitchen - How nice for a bride and groom to not have to go shopping for food when they return home from their honeymoon! All of the gifts at this shower must be food items (nonperishable is best). Check with the mothers to find out the couple's favorite food items.

Wedding Themes

From Romeo and Juliet to a Movie Classics themed wedding, the possibilities are endless! The happy bride and groom can make their special day more memorable when the wedding reflects something personal about the couple. Check out some of the themes below, and then brainstorm some of your own!

Antony and Cleopatra Wedding Theme
Beach Wedding Theme
Cinderella Wedding Theme
Elvis Wedding Theme
Fairytale Wedding Theme
Fred and Daphney Wedding Theme
Heart Wedding Theme
In the Clouds Wedding Theme
Irish Wedding Theme
Lake Tahoe Wedding Wedding Theme
Lancelot and Geuenivere Wedding Theme
Medieval Wedding Theme
Mount Olympus Wedding Theme
Movie Classics Theme
On the Roof Top Wedding Theme
Romeo and Juliet Wedding Theme
Royalty Wedding Theme
Winter Weddings
Victorian Weddings
Western Weddings