BRIDAL SHOWERS

I typically assist the bridal party to plan a shower, but lately the brides I've been working with are not just clients, but also friends!

So... for those of you who are clueless of how big a deal a shower is. Here's

a little tutorial on what a bridal shower entails.

WHAT IS A BRIDAL SHOWER?

Generally, it's a daytime party where the bride receives gifts that will help her in married life. The notion of a bridal shower may seem antiquated and sexist, however, the tradition persists. A bridal shower gives women a chance to indulge their inner-Mrs. Cleavers and pretend, if only for an afternoon, that once married the bride-to-be will use her slew of newly acquired kitchen accessories (or lately mostly lingerie) to make a tasty (yet nutritious) homemade meal for her hard-working husband.

FOOD

Food is expected at the shower. What is served will probably depend on the number of people attending, the venue, and the shower budget. It is acceptable to serve anything from a complete hot meal to hors d'oeuvres to desserts.

GIFTS

Everyone brings a gift for the bride to open at the party. Most likely, the bride will have registered before the shower. Know where the bride is registered so you can tell any of the guests who ask.

WHO'S IN CHARGE OF THIS THING ANYWAY?

The maid of honor generally takes the lead in organizing a shower and as a bridesmaid your job is to help plan, coordinate, and pay for it. Every bridesmaid should be included in the shower-planning process and should have the option of being a hostess.

GETTING STARTED; Pick a shower date as soon as possible, making sure that it works for all members of the bridal party including the maid-of-honor, bridesmaids. Next, ask the bride for a list of the names and addresses of the people that she'd like to invite.

TO THEME OR NOT TO THEME

You've got the date and the guest list . . . now you must decide if you want to have a themed shower. This may help give the event some structure, define the decorations, and give the guests some gift-giving direction. You don't need to have

a theme to have a good shower, but here are some fabulous themes!

The Project Runway Shower-

For your Fashion-Addict bride to be! All the things (and people!) that define Project Runway can translate beautifully into the different aspects of a bridal shower party. Invitations, favors, cake - you name it, Project Runway inspires it.

Some useful tips: As guests arrive, have them walk down the runway. Allocate one of the party planners to stand (or kneel) at the end of the runway, snapping photographs of each guest as she enters! A Polaroid camera is handy but not necessary; just send the photographs out after the party is over and the film developed!

The bridal shower entertainment included a fashion show. For games guests have to to walk the runway for great prizes for “Ms.Glamourous”, “Best Hat” and “Best Walk”...

The Tiffany Theme Shower-

Many women dream of those Tiffany blue boxes with the crisp white ribbon waiting for them under the Christmas tree, on their birthday, or at their bridal shower. Theme a bridal shower around the stylish 1961 Audrey Hepburn movie "Breakfast at Tiffany's" for an event the bride will gush over for years to come.

Some Ideas:

*Use Tiffany colored boxes wrapped in white ribbon stacked on tables for centerpieces – filled with diamond paperweights that can be given as prizes for games played.

* Hat boxes for decorations. You could put a stack of different sizes arranged on the buffet table. You could have the top one open and fake pearls hanging out of it, etc.

* Collect silver pieces from second hand stores, family and friends to use as decorations. Candelabra, a square silver tray for the “Tiffany box” cake, boxes overflowing with pearls. Wrap packages to look like the “Tiffany Box” and put pearls inside and use them for the centerpieces.

(4) Use plastic martini glasses, stacked on top of each other (in a pyramid) with crystals glued to the base. Have a signature “Blue” colored drink served.

* Spray paint branches white, add fine opalescent glitter when wet. Put branches into a crystal vase. Hang

crystals from branches with tiffany blue ribbons for buffet table.

*If you want fresh flowers for the centerpieces, spray paint or wrap the bottom of the box to look like half of a Tiffany box. Use white ribbon to make it look like it’s wrapped with ribbon and fill the box with all white flowers. If possible, insert a small crystal into the openings of some of the flowers, such as roses.

* White cupcakes or cupcakes decorated with blue frosting on silver tray stands with a faux diamond ring in each cupcake and sprinkle the diamond rings on the tables.

* Cover top of cake table or buffet table with bunched tulle. Use a Diamond Ring napkin holder and pull parts of the tulle through the napkin ring. Use Diamond Paperweights in different sizes on the table top or cake table.

* Give Diamond Ring key-chains as your favors

The Burlesque Theme Shower:

Burlesque originated as a form of elaborate comedy theater, often highly satirical and with a very middle class audience. It was only in the last century that the genre began to broaden its appeal - a penchant for double entendres and a fondness for outlandish female drag contributing to its risqué reputation .The beauty of burlesque as a party theme is that you can do as little or as much as you like. Less outlandish guests can get away with wearing something black and a feather in their hair, whilst for the more flamboyant party goer the possibilities are endless. Burlesque costumes can be put together very simply on a budget - less really is more, after all - and a visit to your local haberdas

hery should provide you with miles of net and a selection of feathers at a very reasonable price.

Some Ideas: Change all the clear light bulbs for red ones, which you can usually pick up in any DIY store or even supermarket. Red bulbs give out a sultry, sexy glow and are dim enough to draw attention away from your thighs. Candles and tea lights make a good accompaniment, but can also be a fire hazard in a room so festooned with feathers.Food is expected at the shower.

Make your own cute tea light holders from empty glass jars - simply glue a length of colored net around the middle of the jar, overlaid with a narrower length of black lace et voila! Finish with red tea lights for extra glam.

Have a semi-boudoir photo-session of the guests; something sexy for them to take as keep-sakes. Have a dance instructor come teach strip-tease or pole dancing; a skill every husband would be thankful for!