Here is a list of ideas on how to plan a spa themed shower. From the invitation to food, games, activities and favors, this list will help you get started on planning the perfect spa themed bridal shower.

Invitations: Once you have the location, the guest list and the date set, it’s time to get those invitations out! You can choose to either buy a pack of invitation or make them and print them, you can even send an e-vite for the most affordable option and have it customized to reflect your theme. A few suggestions on what to include:

• Obviously date, time and location!
• Who the shower is for–come up with a cute phrase for this.
• Include something fun like a printed gift certificate that you can make at home. Have it say, “this certificate entitles you to a day of relaxation and fun–services include, a mani-pedi, massage and facial!
• Be sure to include where the bride has registered.
• You may also have special instructions, such as dress code- for example, tell them to wear their favorite robe and slippers or be sure to bring a towel, in case these are things the host will not be able to provide.

Food: The food for a spa theme shower should be simple and on the healthier side. Choose bite size finger sandwiches, fruit salad, salad, cheese and cracker, deli meat, and dips like hummus with pita chips for a really nice and colorful spread.

Drinks: Again, opt for healthy drinks and juices–make them look prettier with cut up fruit like apple and orange slices in a nice clear jug of colorful fruit juice. Also, be sure to have plenty of water with sliced cucumber and lemon to make it feel like a real spa.

Activities: This is the best part of a spa theme bridal shower! For the spa activities, I would recommend setting up stations and appointing one or two people to work each station. The best people to run each station would probably be the bridesmaids, but if you know someone who specializes in any of these areas and is willing to work one of the stations, even better!!

Setting-up the Spa Stations:

• Station 1: Massage Center- Be sure to have plenty of massage oils and relaxing music playing for this, having more than 1 massage table set-up will move things along quicker, especially if there are a lot of guests. Perhaps draping this area off would be a good idea and limit the massage to no more than 20-30 minutes depending on the amount of guests you have.
• Station 2:Facial Center-Hopefully you can set this station up somewhere close to a sink. There are many ways to do an at home facial. Start with cleansing your guests face, than steam to open up the pores, apply the mask–one of my favorite and most simple face masks that is typically safe for most skin types is pure honey mixed with the juice of a lemon, apply cucumber slices on the eyes and let the honey mask harden a bit over a period of 10-15 minutes, remove with a warm damp washcloth. Lastly, exfoliate with basic sugar–an excellent exfoliator, which is typically safe for all skin types, but should probably be avoided on sensitive skin or skin that is broken out with acne. Remove the sugar scrub with your fingers by using water and gentle circular motions.
• Station 3:Mani-Pedi Center-For the manicures-set up a couple of tables with a variety of nail polish colors, nail grooming tools, such as files and clippers, nail polish remover and hand lotion. Assign a member of the bridal court to perform the manicures. For the pedicures, start with removing any polish off the guest’s feet. Have them soak their feet in the pedicure bubbles. You can either purchase a spa pedicure from a local drug store or beauty supply store or to save money, set up a couple of large basins and fill with hot water and vibrating bubbles. Next use exfoliator to exfoliate the feet and a foot file to remove dead skin. Rinse off the exfoliator and wash feet, now finish the pedicure by grooming the toes.

There is so much more you can do–imagination and creativity are key when planning a spa theme bridal shower. Don’t forget to send your guests home with Unique Bridal Shower Favors and select from spa theme bridal shower favors to match your event!

Sara Davoodi is the Owner & President of FairyTale Favors Online. Visit http://www.FairyTaleFavorsOnline.com.

Spa Themed Bridal Shower Favors

‘Sleek and Chic’ Leather Stiletto keychain Price: As low as $2.20	‘Pink Polka Purse’ Manicure Set Price: As low as $3.70	“Cocktails Anyone?” Martini Glass Gel Candle Price: As low as $3.20
“The Cosmopolitan” Monogrammed Jewelry Pouch Price: $8.00	“Pink Polka Flip Flop” Five Piece Pedicure Set with Matching “Thank you” Tag Price: As low as $3.70	“The Cosmopolitan” Monogrammed 5 Piece Manicure Set Price: As low as $3.70

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One of the main reasons to do something other than a bridal shower is when it is not the bride’s first marriage. The purpose of a bridal shower is really to help a young couple just starting out accumulate some of the basic items needed to set up a household. For this reason, it is not customary to throw a shower for a second time bride, as she normally has all of that stuff already, not to mention that it is rude to ask the same group of people to keep giving gifts for the same occasion to the same person. (Yes it is true that most guests will give a wedding guest to a second time bride, but the difference is that a wedding gift is technically optional, where if you attend a shower, bringing a present is pretty much mandatory.)

Another reason why some people prefer to have a non-shower type of party is that they cannot get enough enthusiastic guests together. These is not a reflection of anyone’s feelings towards the bride; it is more like a group case of bridal shower fatigue. This is most often seen among groups of friends in their 30s who have already attended so many bridal showers that they simply cannot stand the thought of making yet another toilet paper wedding dress. For this situation, a non-shower party in honor of the bride-to-be is the perfect solution.

A very fun way for a group of ladies to spend an afternoon together is to have a spa day. Book a private room in a salon or spa and have the bride’s closest friends, sisters, bridesmaids, and the mother of the bride and groom get together for a relaxing time. Pedicures tend to be a favorite spa treatment, as they leave everyone’s hands free to sip mimosas or Champagne. Presents for the bride can be optional at this type of party, as long as everyone is on the same page about it. If the guest list is limited to only the moms and the wedding party, the bride might want to take the opportunity to present the bridesmaid gifts at this time. It is the most fun to give out the bridesmaid gifts when the entire group is assembled, after all, and it is very sweet if the bride takes a moment out of her special party to thank those who are a part of her wedding.

Private cooking lessons or wine tastings are another great alternative to a regular bridal shower. Everyone can gather at the home of the hostess and just have fun trying something new together. This type of event combines well with gift giving, if you are looking to host a sophisticated non-traditional shower for a first time bride. If it is truly a celebration of the bride, but not a shower with presents, the cooking or wine class could be hosted by the bride’s mother or future mother-in-law.

For a friends-only all-in-one celebration-bachelorette party, pole dancing lessons are a popular event. This risque type of party will certainly result in a lot of laughs and some interesting memories! Just be sure that the bride would find a pole dancing party amusing, rather than embarrassing. The idea is to have a fun bonding experience, not to make the bride cringe in shame.

There are as many other alternatives to traditional bridal showers as there are types of brides. Simply pick a type of gathering that is a good group activity, and that matches the bride’s interests. Whether the bride-to-be in your life is sporty, girly, or intellectual, you are sure to find a way to celebrate her in style.

About the Author Bridget Mora

Look to Bridget for advice on planning your wedding. Check out how we can help with your bridesmaids jewelry at SilverlandJewelry.com. Custom wedding jewelry makes wonderful bridesmaid gifts.

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A kitchen bridal shower is a fun way to celebrate the “happy couple”. Kitchen bridal showers are a great idea for couples who are just starting out and need everything from kitchen utensils to appliances. For couples who have been living together for a while, their kitchen themed shower can focus on recipes or cooking ideas.

For more ideas check out this fun video on hosting a kitchen bridal shower which includes invitations, decorations and bridal shower games.

For a lovely collection of Kitchen Bridal Shower Favors including cheese graters, ice cream scoops, salt and pepper shakers, bottle openers, cooking timers, cookie cutters and more.

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The kitchen shower is thought to be the most popular of the wedding shower themes since it’s so versatile. If a newlywed couple is moving into their first home together, they more than likely need everything from pots and pans to cooking utensils. If they’ve already been living together, they could probably use a recipe box filled with everyone’s favorite recipe. There are also lots of shower games that can be played based on kitchen utensils.

Here are some fun ideas you can try when planning a kitchen themed wedding shower:

Decoration Ideas
Use new tea towels or dish clothes as place mats and napkins that can then be given to the bride as a gift. Hang up some aprons around the room with some balloons tied to them. The bride can also keep the aprons as a shower gift.

Centerpiece ideas:

* Fresh herb arrangement
* Fresh fruit arrangement with a candle in the center
* Basket full of utensils tied with some bows or ribbons
* Large canister filled with flowers

Gift Ideas Recipe Box – Ask the shower guests ahead of time to prepare their favorite recipe and include an item needed to prepare it. For example, if you have a recipe for the best oatmeal cookies ever, include some cookie sheets as a gift. It’s best to send the guests recipes cards ahead of time so they’re all the same, then a recipe box can be given to the bride-to-be as a gift.

You may also want all the guests to sign the recipe box which will become a keepsake.

Additional gift ideas:

* Kitchen knife set
* Mixing bowls
* Cleaning supplies
* Crockpot
* Baking dishes
* Recipe books
* Espresso maker
* Fondue pot
* Canisters

For bigger items such as freezers, dishwashers, breadmakers, etc., several or all of the guests can chip in to purchase it. This is a great idea for couples who already live together but are missing one major appliance.

Shower favor ideas:

* Potholders
* Tea towels or dishcloths
* Spice jar wrapped with a ribbon

Game Ideas

The Memory Game – A tray of kitchen utensils can be passed around the guests while seated in a circle, then taken away. The guests then have to write down what was on the tray. The person with the most correct answers wins a prize.

Guest That Substance – Pass around some unlabeled spice jars and see how many the guests can sniff correctly. This can also be done with “white stuff”. Instead of spices, pass around some ziploc bags filled with flour, baking soda, sugar, etc. to see if the guests can identify them by looking at them.

Do You Know Your Groom – This is a game for the bride-to-be. Create some questions based on the groom’s food preferences such as “what is his favorite dessert?” You can ask the groom’s mother or close relative to get the answers.

Things To Think About – The bride and groom-to-be probably have a preference as to what style they want their kitchen to be. If they are registered in a gift registry, choose kitchen-related gifts from their list. You can also get a good idea of what style they prefer from what they’ve chosen. Maybe they like stainless steel appliances, or maybe they’re going for a country kitchen theme. The wedding couple may not be skilled chefs, and if so, choose items that will be useful for them. Gifts that save them time and help them multi-task in the kitchen will be appreciated, such as a slow-cooker or a cookbook filled with simple and quick recipes.

You can also take the kitchen wedding shower theme one step further and create a barbecue theme or baking themed shower. In these instances, it’s best if the bride is registered at her favorite store so that she doesn’t receive duplicate gifts from her shower and wedding guests.

ForBrideAndBaby is a guide to help women through marriage, maternity and motherhood and is packed with informative articles and products. View a selection of great Kitchen Gift Ideas for Weddings and Bridal Showers at: http://www.forbrideandbaby.com

About the Author Laurie Cohen

Laurie Cohen is the mother of three daughters, has planned three weddings and is the former owner of Kreative Parties Event Planning in Northbrook, IL. Today, when she isn’t playing with her six grandchildren, she is busy working on her website.

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Why Bridal Shower Invitations are Important

Bridal shower invitations set the tone for the event, and once chosen, can really take away much of the stress of planning. Bridal shower invitations, when chosen to coordinate with the shower itself, display color scheme, degree of formality, and theme. Once these are chosen and the perfect invitation is sent, then the rest of the pieces fall into place a bit easier. You can use the announcements as a way to guide the rest of your party’s décor and theme.

For example, if your theme is the blushing bride, you could take cues from the soft pink bridal shower invitations, and then utilize shades of mauve and pink throughout the party’s décor and favors.

The Essentials of Bridal Shower Invitations

Bridal shower invitations must feature the name of the bride, since she typically doesn’t host her own shower, and all the guests need to know whose wedding this shower celebrates. The invitations must also include the date, time, location, and directions, unless the venue is universally known, such as a popular local restaurant. Even if you determine directions aren’t necessary, at least include the address so anyone not familiar can easily look up the details.

If there is a theme, this should definitely be mentioned, even if you are convinced that the invitation speaks for itself. Recipients might think that it’s just a creative bridal shower invitation and not realize that the tea cup border signifies a bridal tea. You should also mention if the guests need to bring anything special, whether this relates to the theme, such as wearing red for a romance theme, or bringing a dish to a potluck bridal shower.

RSVP information is also an important inclusion on the invitation. You should include the name and contact information of the hostess and a deadline. Usually, you mail bridal shower invitations 4 to 5 weeks ahead of the shower. This allows recipients ample time to RSVP or avoid a conflict in order to attend.

Bridal Shower Invitation Ideas

Feel free to get as creative as you want when choosing a bridal shower theme. A great way to celebrate the upcoming wedding is to make the honeymoon destination the shower theme. For example, you could plan a tropical shower if the bride plans to honeymoon in the tropics, and you could choose turquoise bridal shower invitations with seashells or colorful beach umbrellas to denote the theme.

You might also choose the bride’s favorite hobby or local destination for the shower theme. For example, if the bride loves to go horseback riding, you might organize a trail ride at a local park and then finish with a bridal shower picnic.

As long as you are cohesive and tie your color scheme and theme into your bridal shower invitations, the bride-to-be is guaranteed to treasure the memories of her shower for years to come.

About the Author Grace Chen

Whether you are planning a casual or formal bridal shower, be inspired by the vast and sophisticated array of bridal shower invitations that are available online. With research, you can also find perfect yet affordable wedding invitations that reflect your special day.

Wedding and Bridal Shower Invitations

Laura Ashley White Jacket Invitation Kit $39.99	DIY Ivory Invitations & Accessories Kit $80.00	DIY White Invitations & Accessories Kit $80.00
Premium Self-Mailer Invitation Kit $39.99	Silver Deckled Invitation Kit $48.00	Silver Jacket Invitations Kit $34.00
DIY Ivory Invitations Kit $40.00	DIY White Invitations Kit $40.00	Gold Hearts Invitation Kit $34.99
Gold Swirl Invitation Kit $34.99	Laura Ashley Green Backer Invitation Kit $39.99	Laura Ashley Hydrangea Invitation Kit $39.99
Pearl Border Ivory Invitation Kit $34.99	Pearl Border White Invitation Kit $34.99	Platinum Border Invitation Kit $34.99
Purple Handmade Paper Invitation Kit $48.00

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Looking for a more meaningful way to usher yourself – or your friend – into marriage? Here are some ideas and rituals that will help the bride come away from her shower feeling nourished and connected with herself and her friends.

1. Showers for a Cause
The bride doesn´t necessarily have to be the one getting showered with gifts. Instead, shower for a greater cause, and give something back with a day dedicated to a charitable contribution that holds special meaning to the bride.

Some ideas:
Pink Envelope Bridal Shower -
Help the fight against breast cancer. Have a Pink Envelope Bridal Shower through the Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation. They´ll send special pink donation envelopes for inclusion in the shower invites, and guests can make a donation to Making Memories on behalf of your bridal shower. Be sure to take plenty of pictures, as they´ll feature your bridal shower on their website.

Green Bridal Shower –
For the conservation conscious, host a bridal shower that´s good for soul and the earth. Make the event focused on green causes instead of perfunctory shower games. Plant a tree instead of playing pin the tail on the groom. Serve locally grown vegetarian cuisine, register for eco-friendly items and housewares, and of course, make sure invitations and paper products are recycled.

2. Thought Exchange
Have a shower focused not on the exchange of tangible gifts, but rather on the exchange of heartfelt gifts like advice, emotions and feelings. Using the bridal shower to involve sharing and listening will help the bride connect with her friends and her own feelings about the wedding and marriage.

Some ideas:
Have attendees “shower” the bride with advice on being a good partner. Each guest can come with their thought to read aloud, or the maid-of-honor can gather submissions from everyone ahead of time to compile into a scrap book that´s presented to the bride at the shower. Another idea is a traditional recipe exchange with a twist. Each guest brings a recipe card, one side featuring the recipe for a great dish, and on the other side, the recipe for a good marriage.

3. Memory Lane Shower
Have a shower focused on reminiscing shared memories and friendships. This pseudo-separation ritual will help the bride reconnect with her old self as she prepares to take on a new identity.

Some ideas:
Create a memory book – asking every attendee to write a page or two detailing their fondest memory with the bride. Gather these stories along with photos into a memory scrapbook. Or have each attendee bring a gift that represents a memory – a cd of favorite songs from high school, a photo album, that old cheerleading uniform once worn every Friday. Another idea is a slide show of photos set to music, where everyone contribute some of their favorites. You can also play memory games; each guest describes a memorable past event – and the bride must guess the year, location, and people who were there. The evening is sure to provoke a lot of heartfelt reminiscing.

4. Slumber Party
Break out the PJs, sleeping bags, and tubs of ice cream – it´s time for some serious female bonding. A slumber party is another great way for the bride to revel in that special connection she has with the women in her life, and it affords her an encouraging setting to share openly any feelings she has about her upcoming marriage. Consider incorporating some of the above ideas into the slumber party – such as exchanging advice or creating a scrapbook.

5. Poetry Shower
John Donne, T.S. Eliot, Constantine Cavafy, Robert Frost, Robert Herrick… treat a bride with a passion for the literary arts with a feast of beautiful poetry. Have all attendees bring a poem containing wisdom or sentiment about love or marriage, and take turns reading. The evening will be intellectually enriching and inspiring.

Get even more ideas for bridal shower games at Elegala.com – Elegant Galas Made Simple.

Cori Russell is editor for Elegala.com and Gala Weddings Magazine. Elegala.com is a complete Weddings and Wedding Planning resource with a national directory of wedding venues and services, how-to guides, photo galleries, checklists, and expert advice to walk brides through every step of the wedding planning process. Request from top vendors across the nation.

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