Though marriage is a traditional institution, you don't have to have a traditional wedding shower. Whether the bride-to-be is a dyed-in-the-wool contrarian or if the thought of typical wedding shower activities like making a wedding dress out of toilet paper just makes you want to hop the next flight to Bora Bora, plan a wedding shower around an unusual activity or theme. Does this Spark an idea?
Bartending School
Provide a spread of munchies to enjoy while learning to mix drinks.
Learn a new skill and have a blast with a "bartending school" bridal shower, following the lead of the article "Bridal Shower Theme: Bartending School" on the website The Knot. The article recommends hiring a bartender from a favorite watering hole or a local bartending school to come over and teach you "make some fun cocktails."
Extreme Excursion
Whitewater rafting requires group effort--and builds group memories.
Plan an excursion wedding shower that will challenge your muscles--and your courage. Many outdoor-adventure companies offer excursions as short as two hours. Depending upon the season, your geographic location and the bride-to-be's preferences (and fears), extreme activities you could choose include ice climbing, rock climbing, whitewater rafting, canoeing, sea kayaking and hiking in a nature preserve. Start the shower at someone's house or at a rented venue, like a restaurant party room. Eat a hearty meal and open shower gifts. Then the bride-to-be and the guests who want to take part in the extreme portion of the shower can go to the excursion site, while those who would rather not take part can continue to socialize or head home.
Perfume Party
Buy unusual glass bottles or vials to put the perfume in.
Concoct your own intoxicating signature perfumes at a wedding shower with a perfume-blending bar. While you can hire a master aromatherapist from a spa to come over and talk about the characteristics and benefits of various scents, this idea can work for people with smaller budgets too. Just purchase an essential oil starter kit, a book or set of cards about the meanings of different oils, and a few dozen tiny vials. Sit down with the cards and light refreshments and start mixing.
Tags: wedding shower, come over, take part, wedding shower