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There are many pre-wedding celebrations that couples may want to consider having. In addition to the ones listed here, there are many others that may be specific to your family, culture, and/or community. These are just some of the most popular pre-wedding parties.
Wedding Showers
There are many different types of wedding showers one can have. The most common and well-known shower is the bridal shower. Even iconoclastic brides may have a wedding shower as it is a wonderful way to celebrate your upcoming nuptials with your friends. However, there are many other showers that the couple can have (groom showers, co-ed wedding showers, church and/or occupational wedding showers, etc).
Bridal showers are traditionally held in honor of the bride by the Maid/Matron of Honor. They are also traditionally female-only parties, though this has changed in recent times. Modern bridal showers may include the couple as a whole. The Mother of the Bride traditionally helps with the event as well, though the Mother of the Groom may also, depending on the preferences of the couple.
Themed Showers
Themed bridal showers can be so much fun for the bride and her guests. It allows guests to be a part of the shower and not just the bride and the planners. Make sure you include your theme in the invitations down to the favors that you give each guest.
You can have a lingerie themed shower. Have each guest bring a certain color or style lingerie for the bride or other items that she can enjoy on the honeymoon. Make sure that you decorate with lace and candles. For party favors, one might consider lingerie sachets, essential oils, or other pampering items as gifts. You can use a lingerie themed inviation to send the guests.
Around the clock bridal shower is just that, things that happen around the clock. Assign each guest a time and have them to bring a gift related to that time. For example, 8:00am, they can bring a gift related to breakfast, such as coffee cups or a Starbucks gift certificate. 8:00pm can be be candles or bath items. Just have them to think about what they are doing around that time and find a cute and fun gift. Kitchen timers, small kitchen tools, and decorate aprons or potholders can be used as favors.
A wine tasting shower is another idea for a themed shower. Guests can bring their favorite bottle of wine to give as a gift and decorate with grapes or corks and wine candles. Wine tasting booklets, decorative wine stoppers, and etched wine glasses make great favors for these showers.
Some couples may prefer a more traditional shower in the form of a tea shower. You can have everyone wear hats and gloves and dress up. Make it fun! Send the invitations in little hat boxes. Keep the food light and have different types of teas for the guests to sample. Bridal shower teas can be held in the middle of the day or even after dinner. Guests can have heart shaped teas and heart shaped sugars as favors.
Bridal Luncheons
Bachelor Party
Bachelorette Party
Rehearsal Dinner
Religious Pre-Wedding Rites/Celebrations
Fraternity/Sorority Pre-Wedding Celebrations
Some Greek organizations have specific celebrations to prepare their members for their marriage. If you are actively involved in your organization, it should be fairly easy for you to organize this with your local chapter. If you are an alumna/alumnus, you may find it more difficult to get together within your organization.
Here are some avenues you may want to try to contact your fraternity or sorority:
- Call the chapter in which you were initiated. Most organizations keep membership rolls locally and may be able to help you get things going.
- Contact the alumi affiliates for the chapter in which you were initiated. This will put you in contact with members who may have been actives when you were as well.
- Contact a chapter in the city where you live. Be sure to present materials to verify your alumni/alumna status.
- Contact a regional or national office. They may be able to get you in contact with a person to assist you.
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