Traditionally, bridal showers have been a way for women in the community to help a young girl who was about to get married by giving her gifts she would need to set up housekeeping and advice about being a married woman.  Today, however, that tradition has evolved into more of an opportunity for people to get together and celebrate the bride’s upcoming wedding, and it takes lots of different forms.  So, if you are someone who is getting married for the second time or more, or have been living together with your fiance, or doesn’t want to have a ladies-only gathering, or for any reason don’t fit the traditional mold of “young girl, starting out, setting up house” – NEVER FEAR!  You can still have a great bridal shower, and it can be one that fits your situation and personality perfectly.

GAMES – One of the traditional components of bridal showers is games.  We are all familiar with the old “Toilet Paper Bride.”  But if that’s not your taste, there are lots of other games that can be a great time!  For instance, “Bridal Charades” or “Bridal Pictionary” where the clue cards have been written ahead of time according to a wedding theme.  Also, you could ask the groom a list of questions about himself prior to the shower and then have the bride answer them.  Guests write down on scraps of paper beforehand what they predict the bride’s score will be, and the guest with the closest estimate wins a prize.

ARTS AND CRAFTS – This is a great activity that actually leaves the bride with a special memento of her shower.  You can supply papers, pens, photos, paints – anything you think might inspire creativity – and ask guests to make a scrapbook page for the bride.  You can even have a suggested theme, such as their favorite memory of the bride, or marital advice, or their wishes for the happy couple.  At the end of the shower, the maid of honor (or the hostess, if those are two different people) will bind the pages together into a scrapbook and present them to the bride.

LINGERIE SHOWER – For brides who already have all their household needs (kitchen supplies, linens, etc) addressed, this can be a fun and sexy alternative to a traditional bridal shower.  Guests all bring gifts of lingerie to the new bride.  If the bride is particularly daring, there can even be a fashion show as the gifts are opened.

Co-Ed SHOWERS – If you want to move entirely away from the traditional model of the “ladies only” shower, a popular new option is just to host a co-ed party where both the bride and the groom are in attendance.  In some cases, the format of the party sticks relatively close to the traditional “shower” theme – with games, gifts, etc – but in many cases, it is more of an informal party, with appetizers, drinks, and mingling being the main entertainments.

Bridal showers can be a fun and memorable way to prepare for the big day, and they don’t need to follow the traditional mold.  They just need to make you happy!