Bridal Shower question

Ok, still thinking of shower ideas for my friends shower NEXT YEAR.

Someone suggested doing a Hawaii theme since she is going there on her honeymoon. Im still toying with other ideas but do you think

a) Its weird to have a tropical/luau themed shower? (since it really has nothing to do with love or weddings, etc..)

b) its a good idea to have a Hawaii theme in a place that is not very 'luau' like? (mahogany bar, wood everywhere)

c) Is it weird to have that sort of them during the late fall?

Thoughts?

Re: Bridal Shower question

a) I think it's fine. great idea
b) This I am not too hot about. Something about Mahoganny and Lei's. Just doesn't go IMO. Can you find a more 'tropical' location to tie in the theme
c) can be done at any season. Will bring 'rays of sunshine' to a colder season.

Re: Bridal Shower question

Personally, I'm not crazy about the idea...for one, the theme does sort of conflict with the season (not that it matters TOO much, but it would be more 'fitting' in say July or August...JMO); and two, I just don't see a big connection between the bridal shower and the honeymoon, enough to use that as your inspiration.

I think you should ask yourself some additional questions before you decide on this...like...

Would your friend appreciate such a specific 'theme' to her shower, or would she prefer something more general?

Why does the shower HAVE to encompass any theme?

If you MUST have a theme, why not make it something more personal to the bride (or the couple together), rather than just about where their honeymoon will be?

Is she having a 'theme' for her wedding? Can you build on any ideas from that?

What is her personal style like (ex. what is her home like, etc.)? Does she prefer simplicity or is she excentric?

What are her hobbies? Does she enjoy the theatre? Is she a fashion diva? Etc?

It's hard to come up with ideas when you don't know the person it's for! I don't know if any of this helps, but that's my thoughts.... I know whatever you decide Stef, it will come out fabulous!

Re: Bridal Shower question

Thanks curly :D

Im not sure about the place. It really nice inside, the perfect size and the price is right so I feel like I will probably not find anything better..but I might be able to. And even though it doesnt have a luau look, the name of the place is Magnolia which is a tropical flower right? (ok, its a strech..hhahah)


Claud: I guess why Im having that problem b/c Ive answered all of those questions and nothing really jumps out at me as the perfect thing. But I will answer them for you so maybe you can help.


Would your friend appreciate such a specific 'theme' to her shower, or would she prefer something more general? Yes, I think she would appreciate a theme shower although it doesnt have to be a theme. No matter what, things have to tie together like invites and favors and such...she will not really appreciate a mish mash nor would I do it like that.

Why does the shower HAVE to encompass any theme? See above...no theme necessary but there has to be an unlying connection to everything so it looks pulled together.

If you MUST have a theme, why not make it something more personal to the bride (or the couple together), rather than just about where their honeymoon will be? Easier said than done..they dont have any hobbies or interests that lend themselves to a theme easily.

Is she having a 'theme' for her wedding? Can you build on any ideas from that? Yes, she is doing a winter white/snowflake theme and I KNOW she does not want her shower to be anythign liek that b/c she wants to that to be only for the wedding.

What is her personal style like (ex. what is her home like, etc.)? Does she prefer simplicity or is she excentric? She does not have a home yet..but she has an ecclectic taste..not crazy but she is not into the traditional bridal shower stuff.

What are her hobbies? Does she enjoy the theatre? Is she a fashion diva? Etc? She doesnt have any big hobbies..she likes to shop but is not big into designers unless they fit with what she likes. She doesnt have any sporting hobbies..not a big traveller. Im sure she must have something that would work but I cant think of anythign!


See what i mean - this is tough! Any suggestions?

Re: Bridal Shower question

I don't see any problem with that at all....

The theme is conveyed by the decorations and with the help and cooperation of the bridal party and guets etc...

I think it sounds like a great idea and there are SO many ways you could make it amazing....

I love the whole Luau theme.....

Re: Bridal Shower question

Stef, I like the idea and if you have to a have a theme (because in a way all showers do), this would be something easy to pull together. I don't think it is a big deal with it being late fall and being tropical. Wouldn't we all want to be in the tropics in the fall? ;)

Tropical themed invites, leis, pretty flowers, etc would be very cool all pulled together IMO.

Re: Bridal Shower question

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Posted by Sonicstef

No matter what, things have to tie together like invites and favors and such...she will not really appreciate a mish mash nor would I do it like that.

...no theme necessary but there has to be an unlying connection to everything so it looks pulled together.

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TOTALLY AGREE! By asking if a theme was necessary, I was not trying to suggest that things shouldn't look connected or pulled together. But then again, I figured that was a 'given' since it would be very unlike you to do something NOT pulled together.

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Posted by Sonicstef

Is she having a 'theme' for her wedding? Can you build on any ideas from that? Yes, she is doing a winter white/snowflake theme and I KNOW she does not want her shower to be anythign liek that b/c she wants to that to be only for the wedding.

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Now that you mention the 'theme' for the wedding (winter/snowflake), the bridal shower luau DOES seem like an interesting contrast to the wedding itself. And, if she's big on keeping the wedding stuff separate, than that would definitely work!

I thought you could use the wedding as inspiration, since she used your wedding theme as an inspiration for your shower (with stunning results, I might add!)

Re: Bridal Shower question

I would love to use the winter theme b/c that would be perfect! Of course, it is the only thing she asked for so that is out.

Other options:
a) A 'holiday' theme using gold and green and red..although im worried that might break into her winter theme and/or be too much like my red shower so probably not.
b) A loosely themed 'jewels' shower using ring pops as placecards, beads on the invitations, maybe sparkly jewel like xmas decorations, etc.. but im having a hard time thinking of centerpieces for that and I dont want it to be too materialistic so Im waving on that one.
c) A retro housewife sort of theme..which is probably my current favorite but I dont know what to do about tying that all together in terms of placecards, centerpieces, games, etc..

So im totally open to new suggestions.

Re: Bridal Shower question

What if you do a holiday theme with all different holidays thoughout the year. One tabel could be 4th of July, Thanksgiving, easter etc etc. Or does that not have enough color organization?

Re: Bridal Shower question

Jen: I think that is a good idea but we are both way too anal retentive to have that many different things going on (plus, that seems like a lot more work to put together and I have a feeling this shower is going to be more work than my own wedding ...hahah)

Re: Bridal Shower question

I'm *loving* the retro housewife theme! C'mon Stef -- you can totally run with this one!! Make everyone wear heels and pearls ala Donna Reed. Sounds like a great shower!

Re: Bridal Shower question

Hahhah...i dont think anyone will appreciate a dress code. And I dont even know how to fingercurl my hair!!

Re: Bridal Shower question

Stef I love the idea of a Luau!! I think if you decorate good enough (and I know you will) any place would be fine to have it in!! I know you can switch that mahogany bar, wood everywhere place right around with good decorations!!

Re: Bridal Shower question

isn't there mahogony in Hawaii?


I went to a Hawaiian themed shower...but it was in May...(mem day) and it was to throw the bride off (her sister was leaving for Hawaii on an intership and they said they were throwing her a going away party)


what about a fall theme? a silver theme? a 'shower' theme? a rain theme?

Re: Bridal Shower question

instead of a 'theme' persay....how about sticking with one color! Say she likes blue, keep all the decorations, invites, paper goods etc. in the blue family.

Re: Bridal Shower question

I could do a color but that is more of a backup idea if I cant think of anything else...i'd like to have more of a motif than just a color since my shower was all red, I want to do something a little different, you know?

Re: Bridal Shower question

How about a cooking theme and you can tie it tinto the housewife theme?

Re: Bridal Shower question

I like the idea of a cooking theme but how do I decorate for that in a reasonably priced way?

Re: Bridal Shower question

one of my friends threw her cousin a luau shower! they had leis, grass skirts and tropical drinks....and they did it in her backyard!
The pics were cool! Just wanted to add my two cents.....Thanks Newlyweds!

Re: Bridal Shower question

btfly: Thats what Im a bit worried about..it looking too casual. Not that the shower is a fancy event but it will be in a restaurant so maybe the luau is more approrpriate for the backyard.