We’ve received a lot of questions from maids of honor, bridesmaids, and moms lately about bridal showers: “We don’t want to do just the standard luncheon at someone’s house. How can we make a shower a little more creative and fun?” Well, your friends at Washingtonian Bride & Groom are here to help.
We asked wedding planner Teresa Lee of Rex & Regina to come up with a few ideas for bridal showers that don’t involve making toilet paper wedding dresses in your great-aunt’s living room.
I Knew You When . . . “For this wedding shower, each guest should bring an object, like a newspaper headline, a song, or a clothing item, from the year they met the bride. As the bride opens the ‘artifact,’ the guest can share with the group how [he or she] met the bride,” says Lee.
This is a particularly great idea to liven up showers at a friend or relative’s house or at a restaurant.
Wine Tasting A fun and informative way to spend an afternoon, no flight to Napa required. Lee likes Zola Wine & Kitchen in DC for this type of shower because of its “open kitchen and casual atmosphere,” but many area restaurants would also be able to do a wine tasting party.
“To make the party even more personal, taste a flight of the bride’s favorite varietal,” says Lee.
Chocolate Tour “It’s not a celebration without chocolate! Brides and their posse should check out DC Metro Chocolate Tours for a fun way to sample chocolate from the best purveyors around the city,” says Lee.
Segway Tour and Lunch If the shower will include a lot of out-of-towners who have never been to the Washington area before, a Segway tour is a great way to introduce them to the city in a more adventurous way.
“After the tour, grab a glass of wine (or two) and some lunch at the bride’s favorite restaurant,” says Lee.
Fore! Another fun idea: learning a new skill. “Hit the driving range at a country club to practice everyone’s swing, and follow with lunch at the 19th hole,” says Lee. “You could also hire a pro for a quick lesson on the basics of the game. Make trophies for longest drive, longest putt, and, of course, MVP—the bride!”
