The Perfect Bridal Shower: {Part 2} For the Traditional Bride

For some reason many bridesmaids tend to steer clear of more traditional bridal showers but, for the life of me, I can't understand why! I know that today's world dictate that we all be "so different", but in trying to be so different we all end up being the same! So I say why not try a more traditional approach to your bestie's bridal shower? It worked for generations past, so why not us?

There are still many brides out there, despite what magazines may have you believe, who perhaps don't yet live with their betrothed, and who would love to have a simple kitchen tea or the like to stock them up for their future home. So why not lavish your bestie with a shower suited to her. Too many bridesmaids make the mistake of customising the shower to their own tastes, forgetting that the day is about one person, and one person only - the bride! Just because you may enjoy throwing back tequila shooters, doesn't necessarily mean your bestie does! Maybe her idea of fun is shopping for a new colander or pot set. (I don't judge - kitchen appliances get me there!) So think about it before you book that stripper!

But before I wax lyrical for much more of the foreseeable future, here are three awesome ideas for your traditional friend! 

{The Kitchen Tea}

Yes, a good, old fashioned kitchen tea! What bride doesn't like getting some new swag for her home? Spoil your bestie with some yummy snacks and lavish her with gifts that will set her up in her new life.

This is one of the easiest themes to customise, too! Just use your imagination! A few years back I attended a kitchen tea where guests were all told to wear weird and wonderful hats. I wore a black leather and chain cap a la Rob Halford of Judas Priest - it was smashing!

{The Vintage High Tea}

If your traditional friend is a little stuck on the 1950s, throw her a vintage tea party to rival all others! Set out a high tea, complete with petit fours, cucumber sandwiches and beautiful china, that will dazzle her. Many hotels offer high tea packages at reasonable rates, or opt for the DIY version and host her party in someone's home or garden. Deck a table with sweet and savoury treats, flavoured lemonades, a variety of teas, and homemade flavoured waters. Or go even more rustic and spread a blanket in a picturesque park for a high tea picnic. Divine!

Tell guests to dress in 1950s vintage splendour to capture the romance of the era, and suggest gifts that reflect the theme too - anything from beautiful china tea sets to framed vintage posters of James Dean. Have fun with it!

{The Cooking Class}

If your bestie, despite her enthusiasm, leaves a lot to be desired in the kitchen, or even if she's an award-winning chef, a cooking class can be great fun! There are many great cooking schools that offer bridal shower packages to set her on her way. Spend a few hours learning a couple great and easy dishes while sipping on wine, and then get to sample your handy work, all in the company of great friends!

Great gifts for the bride-to-be would be cook books, fun aprons, anything for the kitchen, and perhaps a few bottles of good wine to see her through those inevitably stressful dinner parties she'll be hosting once married! There's a lot to be said for social lubricant.

If you missed Part 1 last week, check it out here.
Don't miss next week when I'll be sharing Part 3 of this series - showers for the fun-loving bride!

Until next time!
Peace and Love!