Traditionally, bridal showers were occasions during which a
bride-to-be’s female friends and relatives provided her with small gifts that
she could use to set up her new household. The basic idea remains intact, but
today’s bridal showers span across many different themes. If you’re in charge
of planning a bridal shower, you’d probably like it to be special, practical
and fun. Most bridal registries are at least half filled with all the modern
gadgets and tried and true staples of a fully appointed kitchen. Since the
bridal registry is already filled with kitchen items, why not host a kitchen
themed bridal shower? Here are some kitchen shower ideas to get you started:
Venue: Depending on the
size of your guest list, host your kitchen bridal shower at the mothers, a
bridesmaids, or a relatives home, a local restaurant that is the bride's favorite,
or something outside the box would be a culinary school that offers private
sessions. If the shower is on the smaller side, move extra chairs into the
kitchen. After all, at any party guests tend to congregate in the kitchen. Why
not make them more comfortable there? If you choose to host the party at a
local restaurant, try to find one with an open-themed kitchen where diners can
watch chefs and sous-chefs in action.
Invitations: Once you have picked
your kitchen shower invitation, (create your own, email me for a custom design invitation
or check out Zazzle’s
collection Kitchen Shower invites.) consider what information needs to be
included with the invitation. For example, a great kitchen shower idea is to
ask each guest to write out one of their favorite recipes to help the bride get
started in the kitchen! If you plan to host the party at home, consider making
the party a potluck. Then, ask each guest to bring the recipe for the dish they
bring to the party. A fun way to jazz up your invitation is to frame it on mini
cutting boards and hand deliver them.
Decor: Think outside the
box when it comes to centerpieces, decor and place settings. Use a collection
of kitchen tools displayed in a utensil holder or other large item off the
bride's registry. It also becomes a gift for the bride. If you need more than
one centerpiece ask bridesmaids to each create a different one within the theme.
Much of your bridal shower guest's time is spent in her seat, so don't go
overboard with too much decor about the space and instead, pay more attention
to each place setting's look and feel. For example, place cards; create
place cards that are also a parting gift for your guests. Buy cookie cutters
and use them as napkin rings around kitchen towels in the bride’s wedding
colors & slip pieces of paper with your guest’s names through the cookie
cutters. Use a ‘Towel Cake’ on the gift table or dessert table.
Guestbook: Rather than
purchase a book that the bride will look at a few times, create something that
the bride can use or enjoy every day! Buy a plain white chef’s apron and a box
of permanent markers. Ask your guests to sign the apron so your bride will have
the happy memory of her kitchen bridal shower every time she steps into the
kitchen! Or have guests write on plates to be mounted on the couple's wall
later. Choose white dishes for the well-wishes, and metallic paint-pen
for the written inscriptions. After the event, the bride can arrange the signed plates with
patterned ones in a random grouping for a sophisticated feel.
Games: One fun kitchen
shower game is “Recipe Mix-Up.” To play, take a multi-step recipe and write out
each of the steps on separate slips of paper. Guests or teams compete against
each other to be the quickest to put the recipe correctly back in order.
Another fun game is “The Apron & Kitchen Utensil” game. Get complete rules
and how to play directions here!
Another fun idea for entertainment
during the bridal shower is to hand out recipe cards and have everyone jot down
at least one or two special tips and tricks for a successful marriage. Or, have
everyone jot down at least one or two special tips and tricks for the kitchen.
Everyone has special little things that they do to keep their kitchens tidy or
to produce the best results in the kitchen possible, and an event like this is
the perfect opportunity to compile everyone’s best advice. The bride-to-be is
sure to refer to these cards again and again as she sets up her own kitchen,
and she’ll remember each person who contributed their suggestion. You could
dress a manikin with an apron monogrammed with the bride’s married initials and
have guest place the cards inside the pockets. The apron will also be a great
gift for the bride.
The main reason to have a bridal shower is to get together
and share advice about married life. The kitchen is the beating heart of any
home, and this type of bridal shower will set the stage for a very happy
household. This shower idea would as make a great housewarming party!
Cheers!
Angee
