Make room for the guys, ladies! Couple or "Jack and Jill" wedding
showers are on the rise as more and more couples are being honored
together by their friends and families. Unlike the traditional finger
sandwich and pastel decor type shower, a couple shower is more casual
and usually involves a meal or heavy hors d'oeuvres. Depending on the
time of day and event, beer and wine is often served too.
Hosting a shower for gals and guys may seem like a big task but with
some smart planning and a little preparation it can be pulled together
easily. The secret is to start with a theme and the rest starts to fall
into place. So let's get started!
Determine a budget. This should be your first step. Decide how much you
can and are willing to spend. Determining a budget will help guide the
many decisions you'll face during the planning stages.
Create the guest list. Obviously this should include anyone the couple
would want there. Ask the couple, family and friends to ensure you are
including those that should attend. This is also the time to ask for
contact information. Be mindful of your budget and limit the list
accordingly.
Choose a theme. This is where the planning gets fun! Pick a theme that
fits the couple's personality and will be enjoyed by a mixed guest
list. Here are a few theme ideas that work will for couple wedding
showers:
Honeymoon Shower - This theme centers around the couple's honeymoon
destination. Decor, food and gifts reflect the destination such as a
luau theme for Hawaiian or tropical destinations; outdoor gear for
adventurous outdoorsy ones. Other items may include maps, travel guides
or luggage.
Health and Fitness Shower - Is the couple into fitness or sports?
Reserve the rock-climbing wall at a local sport center or take this
coed shower to a park or beach. Organize a golf, tennis, volleyball or
racquetball tournament. Maybe a night of bowling!
Stock the Garage - His and hers power tools! Maybe the happy couple
will be buying a fixer-upper or planning a house remodel? Is the bride
or groom a car buff? Race car fans? How about car cleaning or
maintenance supplies. Perfect for a barbeque menu.
Stock the Bar Shower - Forget the pantry, how about stocking the bar. A
great idea for couples who frequently host parties. Guest buy top notch
alcohol and bar supplies.
Wine Tasting Shower - Organize a wine tasting event in honor of the
couple. This can be held at a winery or local cafe. Guest could bring
wine and bar related gifts.
Couple Shower Cruise - If you are lucky enough to live near water a
shower aboard a local cruise or tour vessel is a great setting for a
fun shower. Even better if the couple is into boating.
High-Tech Shower - For the high tech couple, create a cyberspace-age
atmosphere. Use floppy disks as coasters and give custom-made mouse
pads personalized with a photo of the couple, their names and wedding
date as party favors. Send paper email invitations instead of
snail-mail paper! Guests could give gift certificates for high-tech
shopping.
Choose a day and time. Three things to note here:
Timing the invitations is important. Invitations should be sent four
to six weeks before the event. This needs to be factored-in when
choosing the day.
Timing the couple's schedule. It's best to get a list of the
couple's available days and times - won't be much fun without them!
Also, think about your schedule. Make sure you give yourself time to
complete and execute the shower plans without the unnecessary stress of
time constraints.
Plan the fun! Above all else, your shower should be fun! Planned
activities and games will break-the-ice and get the party going. A
variety of group and individual games will ensure a good time for
everyone. Play music to set the mood. Just loud enough to hear but not
drowning-out conversation. Make sure the couple is the
center-of-attention in all activities.
Organize helpers. There are many stages of the party where help will be
needed. Areas to concentrate on are food prep/serving, taking photos,
conducting games, organizing and recording the gift-opening sequence,
packing/transporting gifts and party clean-up.
Party favors. This is not always necessary but it is nice to give each
guest some small token of thanks for their attendance. This can be as
simple as a slice of cake to-go to a beautifully wrapped party favor
gift. Again the watch cry is - budget!
There you have it, plans for the perfect couple wedding shower! Have
fun and remember, no matter what the budget, theme or venue; you'll be
appreciated for the care and time you put into their special day.
Whether you spend $100 or $1000, it's the thought and effort the couple
will remember and appreciate. Keep it fun and you can't go wrong!
» left by Christine McM from Toronto, ON (1 year 134 days ago.)
Jack & Jill, Stag & Doe, or whatever it's called, if you don't have help it will certainly be a distaster, i.e. trying to get my husband to clean up the yard,
declutter, or come with ideas has been a chore. My son & his bride told me 3 weeks before that was the only weekend they both had off work! Many have not called or even e-mailed to say they are or not coming and it's 4 days before the shower. A cousin said, great I'll help, then when she found out the date said she was going to a concert and she MIGHT drop by! Thank goodness for backyard tents, folding tables, and bring your own folding chair! BYOB, and just serve punch, generic red & white wine, de-alcohol wine, pop, then 3 kinds of lasagna and green salad. Guests must bring a salad or dessert. Tickets on a door prize of an especially nice 40 oz bottle of cogniac, 1 for $5, 3 for $10. My own maid of honour, 22 years ago was the only one who said she would definitely help and with games, gave me ideas for prizes, i.e. books you were once given that can be regifted, shower creams, or toileteries for both men & women. I hope it goes off without my sanity! Christine from Don Mills, ON Respond to this comment
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