STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Collette · Chanel

Bridal shower at home

Starstuff · Kenneth Cole

I've been to a baby shower at a friend's house, so I think that might qualify.
1. There was champagne and fruit juice for mixing (make your own mimosas), frittatas, fruit salad, breakfast pastries, platters of cold cuts and cheese, platters of different types of breads (make your own sandwiches)
2. punch is always fun, and if you don't make it too strong, will give people a nice buzz without getting sloppy. Also, a few open bottles of champagne are nice to have around -- people are usually reluctant to open them themselves, so I'd make sure they're pre-opened. Similarly, little splits, or bottles of "Pop" champagne might be cute!
3.the problem with pre-made sandwiches is that invariably there is either American cheese on every sandwich or there is something on the sandwich that the person might not want to eat (beef, tomatoes, etc.). Then they have to pick off the part they don't like and that looks kinda gross and is annoying.
4. I think that is the easiest option for both the hosts and the guests
5. don't be too hard on yourself -- planning a party is stressful and there are lots of details to think about.

-- Edited by Starstuff at 11:55, 2007-04-09

blubirde · Chanel

I had a Mad Hatter's Tea Party for my BFF at my house about a year ago (almost two!). I didn't serve alcohol because it was in the afternoon and there were older family members around - I just didn't want to get into who drinks what. Since it was a "Tea Party," we had tea sandwiches (all kinds, not just traditional - cucumber, egg salad with food coloring to make it pretty, pb & j, etc.), lots of different flavors of tea (along with a sterling silver tea service rented for about $6 from a party rentals place), tons of mismatched tea cups, and a bunch of cupcakes with food coloring in the icing to make them more interesting. (We also put out sugar cubes, cream, etc. for the tea itself.)

Everyone adored the food - it was the quality, not the quantity that made it special - and had a blast with the theme. I borrowed a bunch of hats from people and had them sitting out on chairs so people could put them on when they came in. I also put out a bunch of colorful flowers around my house, along with candles.

It was fairly low-key but very successful, mainly due to the small touches.

Also, my BFF was very anti-shower games, so our only "game" was for everyone to go around the room and give advice and/or share stories of the bride. It was a great way for everyone to get to know each other and spend away an afternoon without waiting for the next "thing" to do.

Good luck!

PM me if you have any questions.

ETA:

-- Edited by blubirde at 12:16, 2007-04-09

sweater girl · BCBG

I hosted a shower for my sister-in-law a few years back at her aunt's home. It was a late/morning early afternoon event so we served brunch type foods...quiche, salds, muffin/breads, mimosas etc. It turned out nice...to bad the marriage didn't ...

I'm hosting a bridal shower for my sister in a couple of weeks. While I'm not having it at home, I'm having it at the clubhouse of my mother's condo...it's as close to being a "home like" setting without actually being at home. It's an evening event, and we are having it catered...but no big meal just appetizer's...lot's of them. In addition to beer and wine we are offering a signature cocktail....kind of a girl's cocktail party theme.

I don't think you have to offer any additional alcohol other than wine for an afternoon event...a punch can be fun...it looks pretty if you have a big glass bowl or urn to serve it in. As someone else suggested tea sandwiches sometimes look a little nicer than your standard "deli" trays. I'd keep it simple...I'd order/make some sandwiches like crab/lobster/egg salad and/or cold cut sandwiches and offer a couple of unique salads...then just do coffee and dessert. Whatever you decide I'm sure it will turn out nice...and will be appreciated.

-- Edited by sweater girl at 13:24, 2007-04-09

greendiamond · Marc Jacobs

One of my bridal showers was held in a woman's back yard. It was wonderful!

We started with champagne with a nectarine slice in the bottom of each glass (unexpected since everyone is used to seeing strawberries). We also had a lot of wine, however, I should mention that this person and her husband have their own wine celler and that he sells his personal collection of wine to restaurants because they can not get some vintages elsewhere. They are collectors, so we were tore up on some good wine, and thankfully the crown that was invited to this particular shower was okay with that!

She served several quiches and a few other side items.

I'm not in love with the sandwich tray idea, however, I think a bunch of appetizers in place of a meal would be fine. So many of these items you can buy from a store and just dress them up, so it's little effort on your part.

Personally, I cringe whenever I see punch. If you were thinking wine, I'd do that, and maybe have some sparkling water with lime slices for those who don't drink alcohol, or some iced tea.

Another food idea would be to make entree caesar salads and let the guest choose if they wanted it plain, with chicken or with salmon. The meat would be pre-made any you'd just have to throw a few sliced pieces on top of each woman's salad.

Instead of a sandwich tray could you do something a little different, like California rolls? It would make a pretty tray, and would be light and nice.

Literally, some food for though,
-gd

AllieGurl · Marc Jacobs

Well we are hosting my lil' sis bridal shower at home next week and my shower was also hosted at home by a friend. So maybe I can offer some suggestions:

1. It depends on the bride, but my sis loves ice cream and cupcakes so were doing an ice cream/cupcake dessert bar instead of food.

2. We will have champagne and also water and sparkling water for the non drinkers.

3. Its not really the kind of thing people show up at expecting to be starving and eat a meal, so any kind of small finger foods or desserts are great.

4. Play the game "how well do you know the bride" Pretty simple. You make a quiz, pass it out, then give points for the right answers and read aloud the funny ones. Most points wins a goody bag. Its a great game, that lets people learn things about the bride they might not know, and it isnt offensive to anyone.

5. At my shower we had a wishes and advice book. Everyone who came either wrote a piece of advice for what had helped there marriage survive or if they were not married wrote a something well wishing. Great keepsake for the bride to be.

HTH!