The everything wedding shower book : thrill the bride and amaze the guests with a celebration to remember

188 Pages·2000·2.35 MB·English

by  Jenkins

THE
WEDDING SHOWER BOOK
Thrill the bride and amaze the guests with a
celebration to remember
Jennifer Jenkins
Copyright ©2000, Adams Media Corporation. All rights reserved. This book, or parts thereof,
may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher; exceptions are made
for brief excerpts used in published reviews.
An Everything® Series Book.
Everything® is a registered trademark of Adams Media Corporation.
Published by Adams Media Corporation
260 Center Street, Holbrook, MA 02343
ISBN: 1-58062-188-0
Printed in Canada.
J I H G F E D C B A
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Jenkins, Jennifer.
The everything wedding shower book / by Jennifer Jenkins.
p. cm.
ISBN 1-58062-188-0
1. Showers (Parties) 2. Weddings. I. Title.
GV1472.7.S5J46 2000
99-048060
Many of the designations used by manufactures and sellers to distinguish their products are
claimed as trademarks. Where those designations have appear in this book and Adams Media was
aware of a trademark claim, the designations have been printed in initial capital letters.
Illustrations by Barry Littmann and Kathie Kelleher.
This book is available at quantity discounts for bulk purchases. For information, call 1-800-872-5627.
Visit our home page at http://www.adamsmedia.com
Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1 Wedding Shower Basics
Who Typically Hosts the Shower?
Who Should NOT Host the Shower?
She’s Got a Bunch of People Who Will Want to Throw Her a Shower
Do You Want to Do It All Alone? Money Versus Authority
Considerations
If You’ve Decided to Cohost the Shower, Here Are Some Tips
If You’ve Decided to Go It Alone …
Am I Nuts for Doing This Shower?
What’s The Difference Between an Engagement Party and a Wedding
Shower?
What’s The Difference Between a Bridesmaids’ Luncheon and a
Wedding Shower?
What If We Cannot Have It Before the Wedding?
Special Notes for Coworker Showers
Special Notes for Church Showers
Special Notes for Club or Sorority Showers
Special Notes for Showers for Pregnant Brides-to-Be
What if the Groom Has Been Married Before, But She Hasn’t?
Getting Married Again—Can We Still Give Her a Shower?
Special Notes for Showers for Second Marriages
Special Notes for Senior Citizen Wedding Showers
Who Does What?
Chapter 2 Shower Themes
Hawaiian Party
A Gala Event
Walk on the Wild Side!
Western Hoedown
Southwest Fiesta
Totally Cool California Shower, Dude!
Fourth of July/Independence Day Party
Christmas in April/June/July … or Even December!
Other Holidays Near the Wedding Day
Garden Party
Ladies Tea Party
Wedding Shower by Mail Party
Recipes
Home Repairs Party
Paper
Make the House a Home
Pamper Yourself
His and Hers
Bottle and Bar
Honeymoon
Wishing Well
Service
Entertainment
Cary Grant Special
Gone with the Wind
Ceramics Studio (or stained glass, knitting, or some other craft where
the guests all take home their own handmade “souvenir”)
Wilderness Trek
Road Trip
Ski Party
Nifty ’50s Party
Slumber Party
Appliances Party
Toga Party
Egyptian Party
Costume Party
Books Party
Dr. Ruth Party
Dance Class Party
’70s Again
Elvis Commemorative
Flowers Party
Balloons Party
Picnic in the Park
Chocoholics Party
Linens Party
Quilting Bee
Wine and Cheese Party
Housewife Party
Amusement Park Party
Japanese Party
All-American Party
Surprise Parties!
Chapter 3 Show Me the Money! How to Budget the Shower
I’m a Bit Low on Funds for This Shower. Who Can Help Me?
Chapter 4 Choosing a Venue
The Pros and Cons of Having It at Your House
How to Find a Good Spot to Rent
Chapter 5 Inviting the Guests
When Should We Have the Shower?
Which Day Should We Have the Shower?
What is the Best Time of Day to Have the Shower?
How Long Is a Typical Shower?
Who Should I Invite?
Do I Need to Invite Her Family to the Shower?
Can Children Come to the Shower?
How about Guys?
How Many People Should I Invite?
When Do I Send the Invitations?
I Want to Do Something Unique with the Invitations. Got Any Ideas?
What Do I Include with the Invitations?
How Do I Make Sure They All Get to My House?
I Want to Make Sure All Her Best Friends Show Up. Any Ideas?
How Do I Track the RSVPs?
Chapter 6 Ringing the Dinner Bell
What Do I Feed These People?
Planning Your Menu
Designing the Menu
Planning for Variety on Your Buffet Table
How Much Do I Need to Feed Each of Them? How Much Food Does a
Typical Woman Eat?
Can I Do This Potluck?
How Can I Feed These People Cheaply and Still Make It Look Nice?
I Don’t Have Much Time to Cook the Day of the Party. Now What?
The Do-It-Yourself 12-Step Shower Catering Plan
What Can I Prepare in Advance?
What Should I Not Prepare in Advance?
How Do I Make a Shower Cake Easily and Fast?
How Do I Buy a Shower Cake?
Is Alcohol Appropriate? Is It Required?
Nonalcoholic Drinks
What about Catering the Shower?
5 Steps to a Flawless Catered Event
Can I Cater Just Part of It?
Chapter 7 Decorating Your Party: All about Room
Decorations
Party Goods
Choosing Colors
Decorating the Shower Location
Decorating with Paper
Decorating with Candles
Decorating with Balloons
Decorating the Gift Table
When You’re Ready to Think about Seating Arrangements …
Creating the Seat of Honor
If You’re Doing It at Home …
HELP! I Need Furniture!
Tableware
All about Party Flowers
Food Presentation 101: Decorating Your Buffet Table
Decorating the Tabletop
Planning Table Layout
Garnishing Your Platters
Making Apple Birds
Making Watermelon Fruit-Salad Baskets
How to Serve Beverages
How to Make Floating Ice Bouquets
Chapter 8 Women Bearing Gifts
Does the Hostess Traditionally Get the Bride a Gift?
We All Want to Buy Her a Big Gift. How Do I Handle That?
When Does She Open Gifts?
What’s the Best Way to Record What She Gets from Whom?
The Ribbon Bouquet-? Tradition of Good Luck
After She’s Unwrapped Everything
What about the Gifts? How Do I Tell Guests to Bring Them?
What Kinds of Gifts Are Appropriate?
What If My Bride Doesn’t Have a Bridal Registry?
Chapter 9 Seamless Party Management
The Taming of the Shrew
Let Your Fingers Do the Talking
Have a Backup Plan for Your Backup Plan
How Do I Properly Acknowledge Anyone Who Helps Me?
Countdown to the Party!
Minding the Phone
Dealing with Emergencies
Who Should Arrive First?
I’ll Never Forget Ol’ What’s-Her-Name!
What Do We Do During the Shower?
Do We Eat Before or After the Gifts Are Opened?
Does the Bride Have Any Responsibilities During the Shower?
What Is the Order in Which Things “Should” Happen?
Chapter 10 Cha-Cha-Cha-Choices: Getting the Right Music
Chapter 11 Great Shower Activities, or How to Entertain a
Bunch of Women for Two Hours
Following Your Theme
Doing a Funny Skit
Memories Activity
Getting to Know You
Not Him Again!
This Is Your Life!
Entertaining Ideas
Hire a Local Marriage, Love, Sex, or Relationship Book Author
Hiring a Palm Reader, Astrologer, or Psychic
Hiring an Impersonator
How to Hire a Male Dancer/Stripper
How to Hire Any Talent
Take Them Dancing
Get a Piñata!
Let the Games Begin
Conducting a Raffle
Getting Prizes Donated to Your Shower
Let Them Eat Cake!
Chapter 12 Parting Gifts
Taking Great Pictures of the Shower
Do Yourself a Favor! Create Memories to Go
Other Ideas for Party Favors
Chapter 13 Cleanup Tricks
Index