Vintage Adventure, Booze, or Charity: 5 Unique Ideas to Host a Wedding Shower

Today’s guest post is provided by the UH-mazing Seattle non-traditional wedding planner, Kelli Bielema of Shindig Events.

Wedding showers have come a long way. What was once deemed as an opportunity for ladies to bestow a bride with gifts of the Suzy Homemaker variety, has now turned into another party to celebrate a joyous union. For some couples, both fiancés take part and make the event co-ed. And often times there is a “no gift” policy and it just becomes another reason to hang out with your family & friends as you chat and get to know each other before the nuptials to come. So what do you do if you don’t necessarily want to just register for spatulas and strainers? Here are a few ideas that won’t make your guests cringe at the thought of playing dorky games and having awkward conversations with assorted relatives.

Booze-related

DIY wedding shower ideas

Wine tasting or a brewery tour. This a great co-ed event or just for the gals. I attended my bestie’s shower at a winery and in lieu of a traditional bridal shower-style game, moms & aunts & pals did a wine tasting contest arranged by the sommelier. We got to know more about the reds and whites and in the process, each other. A brewery tour is a great way to get dudes to join in on a shower. Guys love beer (and I really love beer, too!) and it gives them an environment that also involves learning about manufacturing (dudes love to talk about science, and subsequently become home brewers after said tour!).

Wedding wine/Stock the bar. Consider doing your own wine tasting at home or at your host’s home. For a small fee many wine shop stewards will come to your home & also can sell you wine on the spot. Have those wine bottles be your gift registry for the wedding & you have your bar stocked. Plus, it gives your guests a little part in your reception experience. (Note that this is all under the assumption that your venue has a BYO or corkage policy.)

Adventurous

Estate sale hunt. This is a great one for the vintage addict. Assemble teams to hit up a couple of estate sales on a Saturday. Each team has a list of items, much like a scavenger hunt, to procure. So no one is spending outside his/her means, give a limit on each item. For example – Cup & Saucer – Maximum Buy $5 each set. Stock your shabby chic reception or get some cool mid-century furniture for your new house.

Fun bridal shower ideas

Charitable

Donate time. Spend a Sunday morning at a soup kitchen, do a 5K charity walk and create a wedding shower team name, organize a park clean-up. Follow up your community service with some drinks & appetizers at a nearby pub. A wedding party can be more than just a gaggle of girls. Make an impact as your start your new life as a couple.

Tasty

Top Chef at home. For the ultimate foodie, get teams organized to prepare a themed meal. Pre-determine ingredients and timing so everyone has ample kitchen or stove time—or make it all room temperature/cold ingredients. Sushi roll contest, anyone?

Do it at night

Outdoor movie party. OK, I am biased because we at Shindig have a badass backyard movie party called Cinefresco. But, you can do your own at home with a sheet or a solid wall. Popcorn & candy bars are a must, and in lieu of a gift registry, ask guests to bring a DVD to contribute to your film library. Of course, viewing Muriel’s Wedding is a no-brainer….