How To Throw a Unique Bridal Shower

If she or her future husband loves to cook, consider a recipe shower, where everyone brings a favorite recipe and a kitchen item that’s helpful in preparing it. Ask several guests to make their dish and it becomes a potluck supper. Or hire a local chef to give guests a cooking lesson.

If pre-dinner cocktails are more her thing, have a “stock the bar” party, where everyone brings two bottles of liquor – one for the couple’s liquor cabinet and one to use as you all learn to make classic cocktails. For the vino-loving bride, throw a wine-tasting party; guests bring one bottle for tasting, and one for the newlyweds’ wine collection.

Does the bride like to be pampered? Hold the shower at a local salon, where everyone can enjoy spa treatments. Or set up a private yoga class for the gang. Don’t forget the champagne!

Consider a throwback slumber party. Make it grown up by holding it at a hotel, where you can all pile into adjoining suites, order room service, and laugh and talk the night away.

For the frisky bride, throw a lingerie party with a twist: Hire someone to teach pole dancing or striptease skills.

For the community-minded bride, why not turn the shower into an opportunity to help others? Spend a day helping build a house or cleaning up a local park. Reward yourselves with a relaxing dinner afterwards.